[quote="joemama142000"]A recent survey fount that more computers than copies of computer programs were purchased by Germans last year. The best interpretation of this finding is that the practice of illegally duplicating commercial computer programs is widespread among Germans.
Each of the following , if true, would counter some reasonable objection to the interpretation advanced above EXCEPT:
A) Few German computer users write their own computer programs
B) There are few free noncommercial computer programs available in Germany
C) Some Germans purchase computers outside of Germany for use in Germany, and such purchases were counted in the survey
D) The typical German computer user has several commercially written computer programs on his or her computer
E) Many Germans legally make duplicates of commercial computer programs, but such duplicates were counted as purchased coies in this survey[/quote]
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This has to be one one of those weird
Kaplan Questions.
What it is asking for is this. Me thinks.
an exception(weakens/irrelevant) to a countering(strengthens) of an objection(weakens) to the argument.
So basically it is asking for an argument that 'weakens the conclusion' that the germans indulge in rampant software piracy i.e. that the Germans are law abiding geeks.
A- Wrong-Supports the conclusion. If they can't write, why didn't they buy. Pirates.
B- Wrong-If there are only few, why aren't they buying? Pirates.
C- This weakens. This says that the numbers of computers are actually overestimated. So it weakens the conclusion, which is based on comparing the MORE computers and the LESS computer programs. If we prove that the MORE is an inflated number, that weakens the argument.
D-This could have weakened, and would have been the best, if it said that the programs on the computers were legal copies(If the programs are already available why do they need to buy copies separately)? As it does not give specifics we can say it is irrelevant.
E-Wrong-This says the number of programs was overestimated. But, from the argument, this is still much less than the computers. So it actually strengthens the argument. Pirates.
So it is C. As I said, this is a
Kaplan/Priceton question involving dubious logic. Well in some cases GMAT is as bad.