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Difficulty: MediumWeakening Arguments

To reduce annual operational expenditures, the municipal water authority of Oakhaven plans to install acoustic sensor networks along its underground pipeline grid. The authority reasons that because these sensors detect acoustic frequencies generated by micro-leaks long before water breaches the surface, maintenance crews can repair small pipe fractures early, thereby significantly lowering total water loss costs and expensive emergency excavation expenses.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the municipal water authority's argument?

  1. Subterranean vibrations from heavy vehicle traffic and municipal transit lines in Oakhaven frequently trigger false leak alerts in the acoustic sensors, resulting in exploratory excavations that cost more than traditional emergency repairs.Answer
  2. B
    A pilot test conducted in a neighboring municipality found that acoustic sensors reduced emergency repair response times by half.
  3. C
    Replacing Oakhaven's subterranean water pipelines entirely with modern composite materials would save more water over thirty years than installing sensor networks.
  4. D
    Water loss expenses currently represent less than five percent of the municipal water authority's overall operating budget.
  5. E
    The purchasing cost of acoustic sensor units is projected to increase by ten percent during the upcoming fiscal year due to component shortages.

Answer

The argument is most seriously weakened by the finding that subterranean traffic vibrations cause frequent false leak alerts in acoustic sensors, prompting exploratory excavations that cost more than traditional emergency repairs.
The conclusion asserts that installing acoustic sensors will lower water loss and emergency excavation expenses. The correct answer points out that background traffic vibrations trigger false positive alerts, leading to unnecessary exploratory digs that cost more than current emergency repairs. This directly invalidates the premise that early detection leads to overall net savings on excavations.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the conclusion and main premise of the argument.
Conclusion: Installing acoustic sensor networks will significantly lower total water loss costs and emergency excavation expenses. Premise: Sensors detect micro-leaks early, allowing early repairs.
Understanding the logical gap requires isolating what the author assumes will happen when sensors are deployed.
2
Identify the underlying unstated assumption.
The author assumes that sensor alerts will accurately indicate actionable leaks without introducing new, unforeseen operational expenses that outweigh the savings.
A weakening statement must target this link by showing why early detection via sensors will not actually result in net cost savings.
3
Evaluate the answer choices for a factor that undermines the net cost reduction.
The statement regarding false leak alerts triggered by traffic vibrations demonstrates that the sensors will generate unnecessary exploratory digs, incurring costs that exceed baseline repair expenses.
This directly counteracts the claim that total excavation and maintenance costs will decrease.

Key Concept

Weakening Causal and Plan-to-Goal Arguments
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Topics

Weakening Arguments

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