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Question

Please post your essay on the following topic and I will be happy to evaluate it using the official tool that I bought but have no use for anymore

Up to 2 people will get free evaluations. Thanks! You Must Use this Topic: Read the statement and the instructions that follow it, and then make any notes that will help you plan your response. Type your response in the box at the bottom of the screen. The following appeared in a memorandum from the development director of the Largo Piano Company: “The Largo Piano Company has long been known for producing carefully handcrafted, expensive pianos used by leading concert pianists. During the past few years, however, our revenues have declined; meanwhile, the Allegro Musical Instrument Company introduced a line of inexpensive digital pianos and then saw its revenues increase. In order to increase Largo’s sales and in fact outsell Allegro, we should introduce a line of digital pianos in a variety of price ranges. Our digital pianos would be likely to find instant acceptance with customers, since they would be associated with the prestigious Largo name.” Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion.

kntombat · Answer

My response:
  
The argument states that The Largo Piano Company has been a known name when it comes to making handcrafted expensive pianos used by leading concert pianists, unfortunately their revenues have declined. On the other hand another company called The Allegro Musical Instrument Company introduced a line of inexpensive digital pianos, and has suddenly seen an increase in revenue. The author suggests that to increase the sale of Largo and to outsell Allegro, Largo should come out with its own line of digital pianos at different price ranges, as Largo is a prestigious brand its new pianos will find instant acceptance with customers. Presented in this way the argument fails to mention key facts on the basis of which it can be evaluated. The conclusion relies on certain premises and assumptions that are not mentioned in the argument making it weak and unconvincing.

First, the argument starts with telling us that the Largo Piano Company is known for producing carefully handcrafted, expensive pianos used by leading concert pianists, and that in the recent past there has been a decline in revenue for which surprisingly there has been no reason mentioned. This is one of the first red flags. Generally, in arguments like the one above, there is always some information give as to why to the decline has happened and what remedial measures the company has taken e.g., OnePlus's (a Chinese mobile company) revenue in the year 2014 had declined after the release of OnePlus 2, the follow up to its immensely successful predecessor OnePlus One. The decline in the revenue took place because despite the amazing hardware packed in, the phone had a lot of heating, camera and performance issues which dissuaded a lot of consumers from buying this smartphone. To cover up the loss of revenue OnePlus released the OnePlus X a budget phone with a smaller price tag, which went on to sell a good number of pieces consider the price bracket in which it was launched as it didn't face any of the same issues faced by its sibling OnePlus Two. The argument would have been much more coherent had there been a reason provided as to why the revenue of Largo declined ,and what remedial measures the company took to correct that and the result of it.

Second, the argument brings us to the curious case of Allegro Musical Instrument Company who seem to have introduced a new line of inexpensive digital pianos that have sold well, which has led to a rise in revenues for the company and that in order for Largo to recover the lost sales they should go down the path taken by Allegro Musical Instrument Company and release its own line of digital pianos priced at different price points. This is the second red flag as we are not given any background of what Allegro Musical Instrument company does maybe it was making other musical instruments like guitars, saxophones, trumpets etc. and decided to try to enter the piano segment and found success with its inexpensive digital pianos, maybe it was always making inexpensive digital pianos but launched a refreshed line up which was successful. Comparing two companies without considering their respective backgrounds and suggesting that the less successful one tries to follow the strategy of the more successful company seems odd as the strategy may not always work. This makes the argument hard to evaluate.

Finally, the argument concludes by saying that Largo's digital pianos will be an instant hit with the customers, because the instruments are associated with the Largo brand. This is the third red flag. From the conclusion, it isn't clear as to how can the digital pianos be a hit just because they have come from the stables of a prestigious brand like Largo. There are many factors involved in making any product a hit e.g., Samsung released a mid-range smartphone called the Samsung Galaxy Grand to try and capture market share in the mid-range smartphone segment, while basking in its recent success following the release of the Samsung Galaxy S2 but the mid- range smartphone was a flop, it did sell significant units initially but due to multiple issues, which were highlighted eventually the product was a flop.

In summary, this argument is unconvincing and flawed due to the above-mentioned reasons. It could have been considerably strengthened had the supporting and essential information been present, in the absence of which the argument, remains open for debate.

bb · Answer

Thank you for writing this essay. I was able to get it evaluated officially with the GMAC's AWA write tool and here are the results:

Grade: 6

Congratulations! Great Essay!

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gmatbalar · Answer

The argument concludes that Largo Piano Company should introduce a line of digital pianos in a variety of price ranges to increase their sales and outsell Allegro. To support this conclusion, the argument claims that while Largo's revenues have declined over the past few years, Allegro's has increased as it has introduced a line of inexpensive digital pianos. Stated in this way, the argument fails to consider several key factors on the basis of which it could be evaluated. The conclusion of the argument relies on assumptions for which there is no clear evidence. Hence, the argument is unconvincing and has several flaws.

First, the argument readily assumes that Largo's revenues would also increase in a similar way by following Allegro's model of selling digital pianos. This statement is a stretch and not substantiated in any way. For instance, it is not clear how much the revenue has increased for Allegro Musical Instrument Company and how much the revenue would increase for Largo by following a similar strategy. While the profits might be low for Allegro, their sales numbers might be high enough to increase overall revenues to make inexpensive digital pianos a profitable venture for Allegro. If the profit margin and expected sales volume does not justify Largo's venture into inexpensive digital pianos, the argument is weakened. The argument could have been much clearer if it explicitly stated the expected profit margins for Largo by selling digital pianos.

Second, the argument claims that Largo's digital pianos would likely find instant acceptance with customers, since they would be associated with the prestigious Largo name. This is again a very weak statement as the argument does not demonstrate any correlation between acceptance by customers of inexpensive digital pianos and the expensive pianos and the prestigious name that Largo is known for. To illustrate, customers might feel that Largo has lost its prestigious name when they start associating it with inexpensive digital pianos. Also, genuine musicians who are interested in buying expensive pianos, might purchase a piano from another company that retains its prestigious name. Thus, Largo's proposed strategy might reduce their existing sales and customers of the expensive, handcrafted pianos for which they are known. If the argument had provided evidence that selling inexpensive digital pianos would not affect the prestigious reputation of Largo Piano Company, then the argument would have been a lot more convincing.

Finally, has the development director considered selling digital pianos of only premium and expensive category so as to still retain the prestigious Largo name? Also, has the Largo Piano Company considered selling inexpensive digital pianos under a subsidiary brand name so that the reputation of Largo as a company that sells carefully handcrated, expensive pianos is unaffected? Without convincing answers to these questions, one if left with an impression that the claim is more wishful thinking than substantive evidence.

In conclusion, the argument is weak and unconvincing because of the above-mentioned reasons. It could be considerably strengthened if the author had mentioned all the relevant factors, such as expected profit margins from inexpensive digital pianos, potential effect on reputation of Largo Company, and increasing revenues by diversifying in to premium, expensive digital pianos. In order to assess the merits of the claim that Largo Piano Company should introduce a line of digital pianos in a variety of price ranges, it is essential to have full knowledge of all contributing factors. Without this information, the argument remains unsubstantiated and open to debate.

kacangnim · Answer

Hey, could you tell me where you get evaluating tool? Thanksss

mohit16 · Answer

The proposed plan for installing scanners for collecting toll taxes has certain positives that would make the process for collecting toll taxes more efficient, however it also raises a few concerns which are not addressed in the statement above. Without analysing the necessary concerns the proposed plan might not prove to be efficient for the people of the city.
No doubt that the proposed plan would reduce the waiting time for vehicles and would also avoid traffic, however the expected expenditure for the proposed plan is not discussed by the author. The plan for the use of scanners should only be implemented if the expected expenditure is less than the expected benefits of the project. Hence an indepth discussion on the finances should be included by the author.
Moreover, since scanners would require the use of appropriate software, the author should also take into consideration the potential risk of hackers hacking the system which might lead to consequenses for the general public. Some examples for the potential consequences would be overbilling to people leading to loss of trust for the system, charging wrong individuals for wrong routes, underbilling from the commuters leading to revenue loss for the government, etc. 
Since the use of such scanners would involve the use of special number plates in vehicles, an in-depth analysis of the cost that will be incurred by the commuters over and above the cost of regular number plates should be conducted. After such an analysis a customer survey understanding the willingness of commuters to undertake that cost should be done. If the commuters and not willing to bear the cost, the what kind of financial packages and schemes can be launched by the government in order to promote the use of special number plates should be discussed by the author.
Lastly a proper timeline should also be a point of discussion in the argument. Implementation of the proposed plan should be done in phases which can be classified as installation of scanners, instllation of number plates, testing (Multiple rounds) and then finally implementation. Adequate time should be given to all the phases for the success of the project.
Hence currently the above statement would be considered a weak statement as several important aspects were missed in the discussion by the author. If the author includes the above mentioned points then the author would have made a strong point which would also help others to arrive at a meaningful conclusion over the implementation of the proposed plan of installing scanners.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

What prompt this essay is based on? Make proper paragraph while posting your essay and follow AWA forum posting rules. Read the same in the post in the link below. https://gmatclub.com/forum/awa-forum-ru ... 64141.html Thank you!

NIKHIL00712 · Answer

hi question:
Motorcycle X has been manufactured in the United States for over 70 years. Although one foreign company has copied the motorcycle and is selling it for less, the company has failed to attract motorcycle X customers—some say because its product lacks the exceptionally loud noise made by motorcycle X. But there must be some other explanation. After all, foreign cars tend to be quieter than similar American-made cars, but they sell at least as well. Also, television advertisements for motorcycle X highlight its durability and sleek lines, not its noisiness, and the ads typically have voice-overs or rock music rather than engine-roar on the sound track."
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion

My response::

The argument claims that the copied version of the Motorcycle X is not doing well because of the some other aspect than the loud noise made by the original. Stated in this way the argument reveals leap of faith and poor reasoning. It fails to mention several key factors on basis of which it can be evaluated. The conclusion for the argument relies on the assumption for which there is no clear evidence. Hence the argument is weak/ unconvincing and has several flaws.

First the argument readily assumes that the customer in the foreign country while purchasing a bike one relies only on the tv advertisements shown. They don’t have or consider any other information apart from the one shown in TV advertisements. For example, while purchasing the bike, one searches a lot on the internet regarding the bike and get to know the reviews of the other customers who are using the bike. The advertisement itself can’t show all the aspect in one advertisement. Clearly solely relying on the fact that customer only tend to incline to the aspects that is shown in the advertisement is not correct. The argument could have been clearer if it explicitly stated that while purchasing the customers due to some other aspect or feature that this copied motorcycle lacks, customers aren’t purchasing the motorcycle.

Second the argument claims that just because foreign cars tend to be quitter than the American cars the same case can be applied to the motorbikes also. This is again a very weak and unsupported claim as the argument does not take into the account the fact may be the Motorcycle, the customer purchase prefers it to be louder but not cars. To illustrate, there may be many people or customers who daily uses cars to travel and may be that’s why they prefer their cars to be quitter but only uses bikes for some fun activities such as going out of city for party, rides and may want to have noisier bikes. If the argument provided evidence that the customers actually tend to buy a less noisy Motorcycle in the foreign backed by some data then the argument would have been a lot more convincing.

Finally, the argument should answer question such as: Whether the customers in foreign tend to prefer a quieter bike or noisier bike? What are the other aspects, if any, this copied bike lacks as compared to the original one? Without convincing answer to these questions, one is left with impression that the claim is more of wishful thinking rather than substantive evidence.

In conclusion the argument is flawed for the above-mentioned reasons and is therefore unconvincing. It could be considerably strengthened if the author clearly mentioned all the relevant facts such as the other features of the copied bike and the information that customer conisders while purchasing the motorcycle in foreign.
In order to assess the merits of a certain situation/ decision. It is essential to have full knowledge of the contributing factors. In this particular case the other features such as the durability of the copied bike and the usability of the bike in foreign countries. Without this information the arguments remain indefensible and open to debate.

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Sajjad1994 · Answer

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