Which of the following statements finds the least support by the argument made by the author in the given paragraph?
Many universities have implemented a dress code to put a check on the increasing fad amongst the youth which was affecting their grades.
The passage discusses how fashion has become a huge craze among the youth, leading to time wastage and increased expenditure. The author suggests that efforts should be made to reduce the excessive craze for fashion. The paragraph supports the negative impact of fashion but does not mention any positive outcomes, such as increasing self-efficacy or mental abilities. Therefore, option (c), which states that fashion increases self-efficacy and mental abilities, contradicts the overall tone and argument of the paragraph.
The other options are aligned with the author's views:
- Option (a) emphasizes the need for the youth to engage in productive activities, which aligns with the argument.
- Option (b) mentions the glamour of fashion, which explains why it continues to attract youth despite its negative effects.
- Option (d) supports the idea that interventions, such as dress codes in universities, are necessary to control the fashion craze.
Thus, the least supported statement is (c).
Instead of retelling the passage, test each option purely for whether it matches the passage's stance on fashion, which criticises the craze for fashion and calls for curbing it.
Only option C introduces a claim that contradicts, rather than follows from, the passage's argument.
Hence, the statement that finds the least support is "Following the latest fashion increases the self-efficacy of people, thus increasing their overall mental abilities."