In the Amazon rainforest, certain species of mosquitoes are known to transmit diseases from animals to humans. Although the outbreak of a specific disease that affected local tribes likely originated from infected monkeys, the indigenous tribes of the Amazon have never reported cases of this disease. Therefore, it is assumed that these tribes have some form of natural immunity to the disease.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

Answer Choices

Correct answer marked below

A) The monkeys that carry the disease are often found in areas where the tribes do not venture.

B) Some diseases can be transmitted directly from one human to another without any animal carriers.

C) The specific species of monkeys that were infected did not inhabit the regions where the tribes lived.

Correct

D) The disease was spread to the tribes through contaminated water sources.

E) The indigenous tribes have a diet rich in certain fruits that boost their immune systems.

See the full step-by-step explanation

You can see the correct answer above. Sign in for free to unlock the complete worked solution.

Track your performance and improve

Get detailed analytics, unlock full explanations, and move up difficulty tiers as you practice.

Start for free Sign in

Explanation

Preview

Official Explanation

Official

The argument states that the indigenous tribes have natural immunity to the disease because they have never reported cases, despite potential contact with infected monkeys. To weaken this argument, we need to show that the tribes may not have been exposed to the disease at all. Option C…

Read the full explanation

Create free account Sign in

Comments

JoshuaApr 8, 2025

Thank for sharing!!!

AlessandroJun 22, 2024

still struggling with these types of problems

DigvijayMar 6, 2024

Can you explain more?

What this question tests

What it tests

Whether you can identify the option that most undermines an argument's conclusion.

Common trap

Choosing an irrelevant objection or one that attacks the premise rather than the reasoning.