CAT Critical Reasoning Practice question with Solution 67

The question stem introduces a conclusion that could lead from this stimulus; that automobile theft has been reduced by the program. We’re asked for the choice that asks the question whose answer is most important in evaluating that conclusion—that is, whose answer is most likely to tell us whether or not the conclusion is justified. Since the conclusion in the stem is based on the fact that cars bearing the special decals have a lower theft rate than other cars, we can expect that the correct question will ask if there might not be another reason that these cars aren't being stolen, besides the allegedly successful program (there’s that “alternative explanation” concept popping up again). (A) does this by asking if the car owners that are likely to join the program owners take any other special precautions to prevent theft. If the answer to this question is yes, then perhaps the other measures, not the program, are keeping the number of thefts down, which would signify that the stem’s conclusion that the program has reduced thefts is unwarranted.

(B), (E) How many neighborhoods the program is operating in (A) and whether neighborhoods in which the program took effect were a representative cross-section of all neighborhoods, in terms of car types (E), are both irrelevant. The conclusion only claims that the program was successful in the neighborhoods where it was actually applied.

(C) The program only takes effect between 1 A.M. and 5 A.M., so what happens during the daytime can have nothing to do with the program. Moreover, the issue here is the cars that weren't stolen, and the reasons why they weren't stolen.

(D) While this certainly might be of some concern to the owners, it doesn’t say much about the effectiveness of the program. True, if the answer is yes, it would indicate that the program is indeed functioning, but doesn’t help us to evaluate its effectiveness as well as (A) does, the answer of whih could blow the conclusion out of the water.