H D5 TS Q08 – Selective High School

A television network experienced a sharp drop in the number of viewers the week after one of its reporters used a derogatory (rude) word during a heated debate with one of their guests. The network also received large numbers of complaints about the incident. The network, however, claims that the negative reaction to the word has nothing to do with the loss of viewers.

Which one of these statements, if true, most strengthens the network’s argument?

The viewers who sent in complaints to the network were regular viewers. The other major networks reported similar reductions in viewership during the same week. This was the third incident where a reporter said a controversial word that caused viewers to complain. Most network viewers rely on the network’s programming as their primary source of information.

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Which one of these statements, if true, most strengthens the network’s argument?