Critical Reasoning: Dialog Format
Parent A: Watching television is harmless. In fact, some channels broadcast content that is educational. We should let our toddlers watch the shows on those channels.
Parent B: After watching the educational channels they rarely remember anything. It would be better if we read them a book.
Which of the following, if true, most strengthens Parent B's objection to Parent A's suggestion?
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]This statement neither weakens nor strengthens Parent B's objection. While the price of advertising on various channels may indicate their popularity, it is completely irrelevant to the argument as this information cannot bring us any closer to strengthening Parent B's claim.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]This statement neither weakens nor strengthens Parent B's objection. The claim that more research has to be done does not actually favor educational television or oppose it. It just means that there is still a lot of information that can be discovered on the topic. Your task is to find a statment that clearly supports Parent B's claim that reading the children a book would be better than letting them watch television.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]This answer choice presents data that is out of the scope of the argument. The premises in the dialog are about toddlers - young children. Therefore, any facts relating to teenagers or people of other ages that cannot be considered young children are irrelevant in helping us strengthen Parent B's claim.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]This answer choice weakens Parent B's claim indirectly by supporting Parent A's. If television can help teach problem-solving then Parent A's suggestion that the children watch television is strengthened.
Very good.
[[snippet]]This answer choice directly supports Parent B's claim: listening to the reading of a book is far better for a child's learning since the information comes from a person while information taught through the television is has less chances of being remembered - just like Parent B claimed!
