Question:

Read the arguments given below and answer the question that follows.

A number of independent studies have confirmed that XYZ minivans on an average have a better system of brakes as compared to any other minivans. Therefore, anyone wanting to buy a minivan solely on the basis of safety should buy XYZ minivans.

Which of the following most weakens the above conclusion?

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Look for an option that introduces a different safety measure where XYZ minivans do not perform as well.
Updated On: Jul 15, 2026
  • Independent studies have strong research methods which project reliable findings.
  • EFG minivans have also fared better than ABC minivans on safety tests.
  • In some studies ABC minivans gave better results in the brake tests.
  • ABC minivans performed better than XYZ minivans in the frontal crash tests.
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Read the conclusion carefully.
The passage says that independent studies show XYZ minivans have better brakes than other minivans on average. Based on this single fact, the author concludes that anyone buying a minivan only for safety reasons should buy an XYZ minivan.

Step 2: Find the hidden assumption.
The conclusion assumes that brake quality alone decides how safe a minivan is. If some other safety factor shows XYZ minivans do worse than a rival, the recommendation to buy XYZ purely for safety becomes shaky.

Step 3: Test each option against this assumption.
Option (a) says the studies use strong methods and give reliable findings. This supports the conclusion instead of weakening it, so it is out.
Option (b) says EFG minivans beat ABC minivans on safety tests. ABC is not even the vehicle being compared to XYZ in the conclusion, so this does not touch the argument.
Option (c) says ABC minivans did better in some brake tests. This only questions how consistent the brake data is, it does not attack the idea that brakes equal overall safety.
Option (d) says ABC minivans beat XYZ minivans in frontal crash tests, which is a different and important safety measure. This shows that XYZ is not the safest choice overall, even though its brakes are good.

Step 4: Pick the strongest weakener.
Only option (d) attacks the real gap in the argument, the assumption that brakes are the only thing that matters for safety. It introduces another safety measure where XYZ actually loses out.

Final Answer:
Option (d) most weakens the conclusion because it shows XYZ minivans are not the overall safest choice, only the ones with the best average brakes.
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