Question

Between 1951 and 1963, it was illegal in the country of Geronia to manufacture, sell, or transport any alcoholic beverages. Despite this prohibition, however, the death rate from diseases related to excessive alcohol consumption was higher during the first five years of the period than it was during the five years prior to 1951. Therefor; the attempt to prevent alcohol use merely made people want and use alcohol more than they would have if it had not been forbidden.
Each of the following, it true, weakens the argument EXCEPT:

• A. Many who died of alcohol-related diseases between 1951 and 1963 consumed illegally imported alcoholic beverages produced by the same methods as those used within Geronia.
• B. Death from an alcohol-related disease generally does not occur until five to ten years after the onset of excessive alcohol consumption.
• C. The death ratie resulting from alcohol-related diseases increased just as sharply during the ten years before and ten years after the prohibition of alcohol as it did during the years of prohibition.
• D. Between 1951 and 1963, among the people with pre-existing alcohol-related diseases, the percentage who obtained life-saving medical attention declined because of a social stigma attached to excessive alcohol consumption.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Many who died of alcohol-related diseases between 1951 and 1963 consumed illegally imported alcoholic beverages produced by the same methods as those used within Geronia.

Only option (a) is not weakening the argument, and in fact, strengthening it. The argument of the author is that attempt to prevent alcohol use made people want and use alcohol more than they would have if it had not been forbidden. So, option (a) is paraphrasing this argument.