BMAT 2015 · Question 24 · Weakening Arguments
SaveAlthough many schools have banned the sale of energy drinks filled with sugar and caffeine on the school site, this policy may backfire on those schools and on the results their students achieve in public examinations. Caffeine has been shown to improve focus, which could benefit students both in their studies before an examination and during the examination itself. Recent trials have also shown that caffeine can boost the effectiveness of short-term memory, which could help students to recall key information.
Which of the following statements taken together weaken the above argument? 1 Caffeine has been shown to reduce quality and duration of sleep. 2 Caffeine withdrawal symptoms can include headaches. 3 Sleep deprivation can cause lack of focus and poor memory. 4 Any negative effects of moderate caffeine consumption are limited. 5 Memory is an important factor in examination success.