Argument Evaluation (Strengthen): Consider the claim: “Employees who use the gymnasium facilities are fit.” Which of the following statements, if true, most strengthens the claim?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: The employees who use gymnasium facilities are fit

Explanation:

Introduction / Context:We must strengthen the claim “Employees who use the gymnasium facilities are fit.” Strengthening statements should most directly assert or provide strong evidence for the claim as stated.

Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The target statement is a general claim about gym users being fit.
  • We assume “fit” is a property measurable across employees.

Concept / Approach:In logical strengthening, a statement that mirrors the claim with high generality is strongest; statements that reverse direction, restrict scope, or use “some” are weaker.

Step-by-Step Solution:Option B restates the claim directly: all employees who use the gym are fit—this maximally supports the original claim.Option A adds “only,” which is stronger than necessary and introduces a different biconditional idea (excludes non-gym users from being fit). Not required to strengthen the one-way claim.Option C reverses direction (fit → gym use), which does not support the original direction.Option D uses “some,” which is too weak to strengthen a general claim.

Verification / Alternative check:Direct restatement of the universal conditional is the strongest support.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:A changes meaning; C reverses; D is insufficiently strong.

Common Pitfalls:Confusing “only if” with “if,” or mistaking a subset claim for a universal.

Final Answer:The employees who use gymnasium facilities are fit

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