12345678 wrote:
In January of last year the Moviemania chain of movie theaters started propping its popcorn in canola oil, instead of the less healthful coconut oil that it had been using until then. Now Moviemania is planning to switch back, saying that the change has hurt popcorn sales. That claim is false, however, since according to Moviemania’s own sales figures, Moviemania sold 5 percent more popcorn last year than in the previous year.
Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the argument against Moviemania’s claim?
A. Total sales of all refreshments at Moviemania’s movie theaters increased by less than 5 percent last year.
B. Moviemania makes more money on food and beverages sold at its theaters than it does on sales of movie tickets.
C. Moviemania’s customers prefer the taste of popcorn popped in coconut oil to that of popcorn popped in canola oil.
D. Total attendance at Moviemania’s movie theaters was more than 20 percent higher last year than the year before.
E. The year before last, Moviemania experienced a 10 percent increase in popcorn sales over the previous year.
grakesh wrote:
Hi Mike,
Many people tried to explain the answer. But i am not convinced with the answer. Could you please add your views?
Thanks, Rakesh
Dear Rakesh
First of all, I don't think this is a particularly well-written question. It says "....
started propping its popcorn in canola oil," --- do they mean "
popping"? "
preparing"?
That problem aside, it's a tricky question because there are two different voices --- Moviemania, and the critic of Moviemania. Here's the argument
(1) Background facts: "
In January of last year the Moviemania chain of movie theaters started preparing its popcorn in canola oil, instead of the less healthful coconut oil that it had been using until then. Now Moviemania is planning to switch back." (Everyone agrees about these.)
(2) MOVIEMANIA: [
We are switching back to canola oil because]
the change has hurt popcorn sales.
(3) Critic:
That claim (#2)
is false, however, since according to Moviemania’s own sales figures, Moviemania sold 5 percent more popcorn last year than in the previous year.
Then the question says, "
Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the argument (#3)
against Moviemania’s claim (#2)?
So, we want something that will
weaken Moviemania's argument, and
strengthen the argument of the critic.
(A) Total sales of all refreshments at Moviemania’s movie theaters increased by less than 5 percent last year.If the other refreshments increased by less than 5%, but popcorn increase 5%, then popcorn outperformed the other refreshments. This means, popcorn sales were not hurt, relative to other refreshments. This weakens Moviemania's position, and strengthens' the critic, so this is the correct answer.
(B) is irrelevant
(C) &
(D) &
(E) all strengthen Moviemania's position, in one way or another, so these do the opposite of what the question asks.
Does this make sense?
Mike