31Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the given question. Many…
2025
31
Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the given question.
Many companies are increasingly using artificial intelligence-based tools to screen job applications and shortlist candidates. These systems can process large volumes of data quickly and reduce human bias to some extent. However, concerns have been raised that such tools may unintentionally reinforce existing biases if trained on flawed data. Moreover, candidates often have little clarity about how decisions are made, leading to issues of transparency and accountability.
Which of the following is the strongest argument against excessive reliance on AI-based hiring tools?
Answer: C. AI tools may perpetuate hidden biases and lack transparency in decision-making. — Concept: In a Statement-and-Argument “strongest argument against” question, the correct option must attack the practice using only the grounds the passage…
- A.
AI systems are expensive to install and maintain.
- B.
Human recruiters take more time to evaluate candidates.
- C.
AI tools may perpetuate hidden biases and lack transparency in decision-making.
- D.
Job applicants prefer traditional interview methods.
- E.
Most companies lack the technical expertise to use AI.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept: In a Statement-and-Argument “strongest argument against” question, the correct option must attack the practice using only the grounds the passage itself establishes -- not a tangential drawback, not a point that actually favours the practice, and not an assumption imported from outside the text.
Application: The passage raises exactly two concerns about AI-based hiring tools -- (1) they may reinforce existing biases when trained on flawed data, and (2) candidates lack clarity about how decisions are made, creating transparency and accountability problems. The option restating both of these -- hidden bias plus lack of transparency -- is grounded directly in the passage's own stated reasoning, so it is the strongest argument against relying on such tools.
Cross-check -- why each other option fails:
Cost of installing and maintaining a system is a budget concern the passage never raises -- its concerns are about biased outcomes and low transparency, not expense.
Recruiters taking more time is actually a point in favour of AI-based screening (it highlights an AI advantage), so it argues for reliance on such tools, not against it.
Applicant preference for traditional interviews is never mentioned or implied anywhere in the passage -- it is an assumption imported from outside the given text.
A shortage of technical expertise to operate AI systems is a separate adoption-capacity issue the passage does not raise at all.
Result: The argument built on hidden bias and lack of transparency is the one the passage itself substantiates, making it the strongest argument against excessive reliance on AI-based hiring tools.