Evaluate Arguments and Recognize Irrelevant Evidence Practice Test

A speaker claims: “Energy drinks cause students to fail math.” As proof, they say that several students who failed math last semester admitted they sometimes drank energy drinks. The speaker concludes that energy drinks are the cause of the failures.

What is the main flaw in the reasoning?

A student writes: “Our town should add more public water fountains in parks.” They argue that fountains make it easier for people to refill reusable bottles, which can reduce the number of single-use plastic bottles thrown away. They also say that on hot days, access to water can prevent dehydration for kids playing sports. The student ends by noting that the town’s parks department logo is blue and white.

Which statement is irrelevant to the argument?