According to a study concerning environmental economics, any manufactu

Official Explanation

This argument cites a claim that the manufacturer of an environmentally sound lawnmower will profit immensely, because consumers say that they want a mower that doesn’t use fossil or electrical fuel. However, there could be a gap between what consumers say they want and what they actually purchase. Any evidence of such a gap would support the spokesperson's counterclaim.

(A) If anything, this statement would support the position that consumers want a non-gasoline powered lawnmower and weaken the spokesperson’s claim.

(B) CORRECT. If manufacturing a manual push mower has recently been unprofitable, then it seems that consumers don't actually buy such mowers, even if they say that they want them. Thus, the study's conclusion is weakened and the claim of the spokesperson is supported.

(C) This choice presents an irrelevant distinction. It doesn’t matter if people prefer gasoline mowers to electric ones because the study’s conclusion claims that people want a mower that is neither -- a claim that the spokesperson contests.

(D) This information is irrelevant to the spokesperson’s claim. Even if the profit margin is low, volume could result in huge profits. Thus, this choice does not weaken the study’s claim or support the manufacturer’s position.

(E) This choice presents an irrelevant distinction that is unrelated to the study’s or the spokesperson’s claims about consumer preferences. Also, this choice does not deny the possibility of large profits.

Answer: B