Book publishers have traditionally published a few books

Question

Book publishers have traditionally published a few books that they thought were of intrinsic merit even though these books were unlikely to make a profit. Nowadays, however, fewer of these books are being published. It seems, therefore, that publishers now, more than ever, are more interested in making money than in publishing books of intrinsic value.

Which one of the following statements, if true, most weakens the argument?

A) Book publishers have always been interested in making money
B) There has been a notable decline in the quality of books written in recent years
C) In the past, often books of intrinsic value would unexpectedly make a sizable profit
D) There have always been authors unwilling to be published unless a profit is guaranteed
E) In recent years, profits in the book publishing industry have been declining

Marco83 · Answer

B

Kiski · Answer

Another B. OA pls

PhunsukWangdu · Answer

could be C

but doubt with the words: 'unlikely' in the question and 'unexpectedly' in the answer

but if something is unlikely to happen ... and it happens ... then it is said to have happened unexpectedly ...

dmetla · Answer

I think answer is C. OA please?

Casinoking · Answer

IMO "C".

sunnybeach · Answer

IMHO D, since this introduce another reason why publication of intrinsic books could have reduced.
OA please?

mojorising800 · Answer

+1 for B

jshah · Answer

Is it :A

shalva · Answer

I'm considering (C) - Number of good quality books with intrinsic merits has decreased, publishers stayed the same

gmatjon · Answer

Why not E?

If the publishers profits have been declining over the years, they can no longer "afford" publishing the books, which they believe brings no profit but just expense. If they were doing it out of charity before, now as their profits are decreasing, they no longer can afford to do so.

kp2010 · Answer

Can anybody please tell me what the official answer is?

My answer is A. The reason:

1. The conclusion says "nowadays, more than ever, book publishers ....." 
2. I need to find a reason as to why it is not really profit that motivates book publishers nowadays especially as compared to before.

A answered this criterion best.

If the Official answer (is this what is being abbreviated as OA?) is something else, can you please explain?

BarneyStinson · Answer

Applying the classical PowerScore procedure of solving CR questions -

A and D are too exaggerated in stating "have always been". Stay away from over-hype. C does not explain how some books of intrinsic value generating sizable profit unexpectedly in the past is related to the publishers becoming more interested in only making more money. E on the other hand strengthens the conclusion, by stating that profits have been declining, it can easily be understood that publishers are looking to make more money.

After thus eliminating all other options - B is the sole contender. In other words, it is not that publishers are more interested in making more money but rather, the decline in good books that makes it seem like the publishers are getting greedier.

joemama142000 · Answer

OA is B

BMindful · Answer

In B, it suggests that there is another factor(quality decline) to the fewer of these book publication: not because publishers more interested in making money.

pjalan · Answer

+1 for B

Book publishers have traditionally published a few books

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