Bunuel wrote:
Technician: It is true that the Nebula G10 smartphone is not as valuable as the Outlook M1 smartphone because, on average, insurance companies do not pay as much to replace a lost Nebula G10 as to replace a lost Outlook M1. Repair costs show a different picture though. It can’t be denied that the repairs to Nebula G10 phones are especially labor-intensive and labor is a significant factor in accident repair costs. As a result, the average amount that insurance companies pay to repair a phone under warranty that is damaged by an accident is typically higher for the Nebula G10 than for the Outlook M1.
Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the technician’s explanation?
A. Reliable statistics show that Outlook M1 phones are more frequently damaged in accidents than Nebula G10 phones are.
B. Outlook M1 phones are considered more economically valuable largely for the ease of repair of the phones.
C. Availability of technicians specializing in the repairs of Nebula G10 is higher than that of technicians specializing in the repairs of Outlook M1.
D. No significant difference exists between the cost of routine upkeep of Outlook M1 and that of Nebula G10.
E. Consumer data indicates that the Nebula G10 phones are returned for defects at a rate greater than that for Outlook M1 phones.
Explanation:
Mind-map: Nebula G10 is less valuable than Outlook M1 -> insurance companies pay less to replace Nebula G10 than to replace Outlook M1 -> Nebula G10 repairs are labor-intensive and labor is a significant repair cost -> insurance companies pay more for Nebula G10 repairs than for Outlook M1 repairs
Missing-link: Between insurance companies paying less to replace Nebula G10 than to replace Outlook M1 and they paying more for Nebula G10 repairs than for Outlook M1 repairs
Expectation from the correct answer choice: To strengthen the technician’s explanation for why insurance companies treat repairs and replacement payments of the two phones differently
A.
The frequency of damage does not likely affect repair or replacement costs; so, this answer choice is
just a statement of fact and does not strengthen the technician’s explanation. Because this answer choice does not strengthen the technician’s explanation, this answer choice is incorrect.
B. Correct. By suggesting that ease of repair adds to the value of Outlook M1, this answer choice indicates that
a brand new piece of Outlook M1 likely commands a higher price and that repairing a damaged piece of Outlook M1 is likely inexpensive; thus, this answer choice explains the discrepancy in insurance companies’ treatment for repairs and replacement payments of Nebula G10 and Outlook M1 and strengthens the technician’s explanation. Because this answer choice strengthens the technician’s explanation, this answer choice is correct.
C. Trap. Although this answer choice suggests that it is likely easier to find a technician to repair Nebula G10 than Outlook M1, the premise mentions that the higher repair cost of Nebula G10 is because repairing the smartphone is “labor-intensive”; in other words, the
ease of finding a technician does not likely reduce the labor requirements, and the associated repair costs, while repairing the Nebula G10 smartphone; so, this answer choice
simply adds information, which, although relevant to the broad context of the argument, does not strengthen the technician’s explanation. Because this answer choice does not strengthen the technician’s explanation, this answer choice is incorrect.
D. Although this answer choice suggests that maintenance costs are similar for the two phones, it
fails to explain why insurance companies treat repairs and replacement payments of the two phones differently and thus does not strengthen the technician’s explanation. Because this answer choice does not strengthen the technician’s explanation, this answer choice is incorrect.
E.
The likelihood of being defective does not likely affect repair or replacement costs; so, this answer choice is
just a statement of fact and does not strengthen the technician’s explanation. Because this answer choice does not strengthen the technician’s explanation, this answer choice is incorrect.
B is the best choice.
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