B) Free ad-sponsored news websites and blogs offer more content than E-News.

To weaken the argument we need to offer an alternative reason on WHY the ads are NOT eliminated.

The contents offered is not the point.

When you weaken an argument is like two sides of a coin. But the SAME type of coin.

Regards

I don't understand completely why the answer is C. I think despite the fact that E.news will have partners with other newspapers with ads it is not necessary that e-news will have ads.

that is right the only answer is B
because as I can get my free news from other places why should I subscribe to e-news

why cant Option A be the answer?

A) Individuals who currently read only print newspapers are much less likely to enjoy a subscription news website without first learning about reading online news through a free news website. - Irrelevant, this does not refer to "wasted time".

B) Free ad-sponsored news websites and blogs offer more content than E-News. - This refers to volume of content rather than wasted time.

C) E-News partners with other e-content providers, many of which always show numerous ads alongside their content. - Correct one, since ads are there, the users' visual attention could be drawn towards them and their time could be wasted.

D) For regions of the country that lack adequate internet coverage, switching to an online subscription website is not logical. - Again irrelevant, does not weaken the argument as it does not even refer to "wasted time"

E) E-News recently announced it would sell some of its content to ad-supported websites and print newspapers. - Wide off the mark, this does not affect the user's time or the way he/she can be immune/prone to the advertisements and wastage of time.

Answer - C

I am told this question is from a KPMG aptitude test. Since KPMG aptitude tests do not adhere to the ETS logic, I needed to understand the mindset of the person who created this question. Understanding the mindset behind a question on an aptitude test can definitely be a bit tricky, especially when the question does not fit neatly into conventional logic categories. Here is how you might approach such a question:

-> Understand the context: Try to grasp the broader context or scenario the question is set in. Often, the wording or scenario provides clues about what kind of thinking or reasoning is expected. Consider any specific instructions or examples provided with the question.
-> Identify key elements: Break down the question into its core components. Identify the main elements or variables involved. Look for any patterns, relationships, or constraints that might be relevant.
-> Consider different perspectives: Since the question might deviate from standard logic, think about it from multiple angles. Sometimes unconventional questions require lateral thinking or creative problem-solving rather than straightforward application of known methods.
-> Practice flexibility: Be open to different types of solutions. Aptitude tests may include questions that test abstract reasoning or test your ability to apply logic in novel ways. Practice flexibility in your thinking and be prepared to adapt your approach.
-> Verify assumptions: Make sure to verify any assumptions you make while solving the question. Sometimes test questions are designed to challenge your assumptions or require you to question common beliefs.
-> Check for ambiguities: If you sense ambiguity in the question, identify any possible interpretations and consider how each might affect your approach. Clarify any uncertainties by considering the most logical or likely meaning in the given context.
-> Review and reflect: After attempting to answer the question, review your reasoning process. Reflect on whether the answer makes sense given the information provided and if it aligns with the context of the question.

Now, let us deploy IMS's four-step technique to solve this question.

STEP #1 -> IDENTIFY THE QUESTION TYPE

Let us read the question stem to identify the question type.



The stem indicates a weakening question.

STEP #2 -> X-RAY THE ARGUMENT

In a weakening question, it is a must to x-ray the argument and deconstruct it. Let us therefore read the argument first and deconstruct it by figuring out the conclusion and the premise(s) soon after.



CONCLUSION: Individuals should subscribe to E-News.
PREMISE: Subscribing to E-News eliminates wasted time that results from seeing and ignoring advertisements while attempting to read newspapers that feature ads.

STEP #3 -> FRAME A SHADOW ANSWER

To frame a shadow answer, we need to know what the correct answer should do. In this question, the correct answer must cast doubt on the conclusion, and a great way to do so is to challenge the premise.

SHADOW ANSWER: Any situation that, after having taken the premise into consideration, leads us to believe that individuals should not subscribe to E-News.

STEP #4 -> ELIMINATE INCORRECT OPTIONS

Options that do not match the shadow answer can be eliminated.

A) Individuals who currently read only print newspapers are much less likely to enjoy a subscription news website without first learning about reading online news through a free news website. | NOT A MATCH | If individuals who currently read only print newspapers are much less likely to enjoy a subscription news website without first learning about reading online news through a free news website, it leads us to believe that they may be more likely to enjoy a subscription news website after they learn about reading online news. Clearly, we do not have any reason to believe that individuals (in general, not just the ones who read only print newspapers) should not subscribe to E-News. | ELIMINATE

B) Free ad-sponsored news websites and blogs offer more content than E-News. | NOT A MATCH | Our focus is not on content here. The point is that subscribing to E-News saves time by eliminating the need to deal with ads when reading newspapers. Even if free ad-supported news websites and blogs had more content than E-News, one would still have to sift through lots of ads to access it, and subscribing to E-News could help one save time. Again, we do not have any reason to believe that individuals should not subscribe to E-News. | ELIMINATE

C) E-News partners with other e-content providers, many of which always show numerous ads alongside their content. | MATCHES THE SHADOW ANSWER | Note that this option reveals E-News's hypocrisy. On the one hand, E-News advertises that individuals should subscribe to it because doing so eliminates wasted time that results from seeing and ignoring advertisements while attempting to read newspapers that feature ads. On the other hand, it itself partners with other e-content providers, many of which always show numerous ads alongside their content. Now, we have a valid reason to believe that individuals should not subscribe to E-News. Also, notice that this option directly challenges the premise by exposing a contradiction: E-News claims to reduce ad-related wasted time, yet it partners with ad-supported providers. The argument thereby is effectively weakened since E-News itself is involved in ad-supported content. | KEEP

D) For regions of the country that lack adequate internet coverage, switching to an online subscription website is not logical. | NOT A MATCH | Not worried about whether or not switching to an online subscription website is logical in regions of the country that lack adequate internet coverage, for it does not lead us to believe that individuals should not subscribe to E-News. | ELIMINATE

E) E-News recently announced it would sell some of its content to ad-supported websites and print newspapers. | NOT A MATCH | If E-News has to resort to selling some of its content to ad-supported websites and print newspapers, it gives more of a reason to individuals to support E-News by subscribing to it in order that it may retain its content. However, we are looking for an option that gives us a reason to believe that individuals should not subscribe to E-News. | ELIMINATE

Hence, (C) is the correct answer.­

wowwwww