A study by Consumer Support Center revealed an inverse

Question

A study by Consumer Support Center revealed an inverse correlation between the amount of food advertising and the cost of food to consumers. This led some experts to conclude that  increased advertising means that increased competition forces food companies to lower their prices . However, in letting increased competition account for both the cost decrease and the advertising increase, such experts fail to consider the fact that  food companies simply lower their prices during advertising campaigns to increase sales.

The two portions in boldface in the argument above play which of the following roles?

(A)The first is a generalization that the argument presents as true; the second is the evidence that supports the validity of that generalization.
(B)The first is an opinion that the argument argues against; the second is evidence against that opinion.
(C)The first is a pattern of cause and effect that the argument as a whole supports; the second explains the reason behind this pattern.
(D)The first is evidence that the argument uses in support of the main conclusion; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.
(E)The first is an opinion put forward in an attempt to explain a certain pattern; the second further supports that opinion.

Appreciate a detailed explanation

vaodeanhem · Accepted Answer

Imo, B is correct.
As u can see from the stimulus. Two bold faces are on the opposite site of the fence. The 1st Bold face is an intermediate conclusion. The other Bold face argues against the first one following the first bold face by "However". Therefore, we need to find an answer which correctly describes the role of two opposite Bold faces.
Clearly, A,C,D,E are out because they tell us that two bold faces are on the same fence.
B is correct thus.

krakgmat · Answer

I think this one is C as well. Please post OA. I will explain my reasoning if it is correct.

guerrero25 · Answer

Thanks for the attempt . OA is edited .

maypaul · Answer

Hi, This tread is awesome for me....Thanks...

Carcass · Answer

Guerrero I appreciate your effort.

as soon as you receive the first attempt to your question do not post the OA immediately, so we can have a sort of discussion.

Or you post the OA along the first post (as the rules say) or create a discussion. or meat or fish

suntwin · Answer

IMO A

Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk 2

cssk · Answer

I could not figure out why B is the right answer.

Increased advertising means that increased competition forces food companies to lower their prices (First boldface statement)

The argument is clearly not against the above statement but accepts it as true and states that the experts failed to consider another fact -  food companies simply lower their prices during advertising campaigns to increase sales (Second boldface statement)

Experts. Can you please clear my doubt?

aks456 · Answer

(A)The first is a generalization that the argument presents as ~~true~~; the second is the evidence that supports the validity of that generalization.
(B)The first is an opinion that the argument argues against; the second is evidence against that opinion.
(C)The first is a pattern of cause and effect that the argument as a whole ~~supports~~; the second explains the reason behind this pattern.
(D)The first is evidence that the argument uses in ~~support~~ of the main conclusion; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.
(E)The first is an opinion put forward in an attempt to explain a certain pattern; the second further ~~supports~~ that opinion.

It would be useful to consider the first part of the answer first and remove and incorrect solutions.

First part of the statement should oppose the author's conclusion. Hence, A,C,D are out.

Second part of the statement should be contrary to the first part, hence E is out.
B is the right answer.

Left with (B)

Carcass · Answer

Looking at the question in a more general way, you have to look for something (the two bold face parts) if they go in the same direction or one is against the other one. here clearly one (the second) is against the first one.

then you have to look at the argument as whole.

the first one is what the experts belive so is an opinion (be careful is not the conslusion of the argumnt itself, even though you can see the word "conclusion" just before)

the second one is a fact  such experts fail to consider   the fact   that food companies simply lower their prices during advertising campaigns to increase

sales.

the only answer choice that fits the bill is B

PS: honestly do not like this question but is not that bad.

regards

Carcass · Answer

Looking at the question in a more general way, you have to look for something (the two bold face parts) if they go in the same direction or one is against the other one. here clearly one (the second) is against the first one.

then you have to look at the argument as whole.

the first one is what the experts belive so is an opinion (be careful is not the conslusion of the argumnt itself, even though you can see the word "conclusion" just before)

the second one is a fact  such experts fail to consider   the fact   that food companies simply lower their prices during advertising campaigns to increase

sales.

AND before this we have the word  however  that signs a shift in the argument in another direction (more often than not in a way that goes against what is before is cited)

the only answer choice that fits the bill is B

PS: honestly do not like this question but is not that bad.

regards

okok2023 · Answer

The first boldface tell that "due to increased competition" the prices are lowered & advertisements is done.
Second statement, simply states that "they are simply done" - meaning, not due to increased competition.

Hence, B is correct

jeremqui · Answer

(A)The first is a generalization that the argument presents as  true ; the second is the evidence that supports the validity of that generalization.
(B)The first is an opinion that the argument argues against; the second is evidence against that opinion.
(C)The first is a pattern of cause and effect that the argument as a whole  supports ; the second explains the reason behind this pattern.
(D)The first is evidence that the argument uses in  support  of the main conclusion; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.
(E)The first is an opinion put forward in an attempt to explain a certain pattern; the second further  supports   that opinion.

It would be useful to consider the first part of the answer first and remove and incorrect solutions.

First part of the statement should oppose the author's conclusion. Hence, A,C,D are out.

Second part of the statement should be  contrary  to the first part, hence E is out.
B is the right answer.

kaustubh7 · Answer

Here, (B)The first is an opinion that the argument argues against; the second is evidence against that opinion, is said to be correct answer but, author is not opposing this argument rather I BF is cause and effect relationship, for which experts forget to consider the fact stated in BF II. Therefore, C should be the ans imo, Althoght plz guide me where I'm getting wrong. Thank u !

A_Nishith · Answer

Argument Breakdown: 
  First Boldface:   "Increased competition forces food companies to lower their prices."

This is a general statement made by some experts, who conclude that competition leads to lower prices due to increased advertising.

Second Boldface:   "Food companies simply lower their prices during advertising campaigns to increase sales."

This introduces an alternative explanation to the relationship between advertising and lower prices. It counters the experts’ conclusion by suggesting that price drops are a direct marketing tactic, not just a result of competition.

Evaluating Each Option:
(A): "The first is a generalization that the argument presents as true; the second is the evidence that supports the validity of that generalization."
 Incorrect:  The argument does not present the first boldface as true; it is a generalization made by some experts. The second boldface challenges this generalization rather than supporting it.

(B): "The first is an opinion that the argument argues against; the second is evidence against that opinion."
 Correct:  The first boldface is an opinion made by some experts, and the argument then disputes it. The second boldface provides evidence (alternative explanation) against that opinion.

(C): "The first is a pattern of cause and effect that the argument as a whole supports; the second explains the reason behind this pattern."
 Incorrect:  The argument does not support the first boldface statement. Instead, it presents it as an opinion that the argument challenges.

(D): "The first is evidence that the argument uses in support of the main conclusion; the second is the main conclusion of the argument."
 Incorrect:  The first boldface is not evidence used in the argument's favor; it is an opinion the argument challenges. The second boldface is not the main conclusion but part of the counterargument.

(E): "The first is an opinion put forward in an attempt to explain a certain pattern; the second further supports that opinion."
 Incorrect:  The second boldface does not support the first; rather, it offers an alternative explanation that contradicts the first opinion.

Answer: B

VerbalBot · Answer

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A study by Consumer Support Center revealed an inverse

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