krishrads wrote:
A recent survey found 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 copies in the survey.
Responding to a pm:
Premises:
More computers than computer programs are sold.
Conclusion:
Illegally duplicating commercial computer programs is widespread.
The trickiest thing about this question is its question stem:
Each of the following, if true, would counter some reasonable objection to the interpretation advanced above EXCEPTInterpretation advanced above - Illegally duplicating commercial computer programs is widespread.
Reasonable objections to this could be many - there are sources of legal duplication, some popular brands sell computers with pre-loaded softwares as incentive which are not counted, many Germans write their own softwares and do not use the commercial ones etc
Each of the following would counter - So we need each option to counter one of the reasonable objections. Mind you, we are not given the reasonable objections. We will need to judge whether an option could be used to counter an objection. There will be one option which will not counter a reasonable objection.
(A) Few German computer users write their own computer programs.
Counters the objection - Germans write their own programs. Hence, illegal duplication is not widespread.
Note that "few" means "almost none"
(B) There are few free noncommercial computer programs available in Germany.
Counters the objection - In Germany, free non commercial programs are available. Hence, illegal duplication is not widespread.
Again, "few" means "almost none"
(C) Some Germans purchase computers outside of Germany for use in Germany, and such purchases were counted in the survey.
Some computers are purchased outside Germany and these are counted. From where do these people purchase programs, we don't know. If from outside Germany, are they counted in the number of programs purchased too, we don't know.
This does not clarify anything and is not a counter to any objection.
(D) The typical German computer user has several commercially written computer programs on his or her computer.
Counters the objection - typical German computer user has few, if any commercially written programs on his computer. Hence, illegal duplication is not widespread.
(E) Many Germans legally make duplicates of commercial computer programs, but such duplicates were counted as purchased copies in the survey.
Counters the objection - Legal duplicates can be made in Germany and they are not counted. Hence illegal duplication is not widespread.
Answer (C)
,we have no idea of how many commerical proagrams are free.
say if lots of commerical are free then we cannt say they are illegally duplicating ,they are legal then .