Really cool question... The question stem is very different from what we are used to see from CR...

Although I would "classify" it as an inference question --> The goal is: Which question can be answered based on the information provided?

(A) Is the Postal Service as efficient as privately owned electric transmission services? Passage does not talk about efficiency

(B) If private operators were allowed to operate first-class mail services, would they choose to do so? Passage does not talk about whether private operator would operate first-class mail

(C) Do the electronic transmittal operators believe that the Postal Service makes a profit on first-class mail? Since the last sentence of the passage states that: "...since its electronic transmission service could be subsidized from the profits of the monopoly." This implies that the Postal Service is making profit with its monopoly (which is first-class mail service).

(D) Is the Postal Service prohibited from offering electronic transmission services? We don't know that

(E) Is the Postal Service expected to have a monopoly on electronic transmission? Passage only talks about the monopoly on first-class mail not about monopoly on any other form of transmission...
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This is assumption type of question.

(C) is the answer. If we negate the answer choice (TO doesn't beilive that ~ ), clearly author's conclusion that electronic service provided by Postal Office is not the advantage anymore.

Tricky part is all of the answer choices look like an Evalution type of question, misleading to define the type of the question.

Not sure why to eliminate E, as there is no issue to the business of Electronic transmittal operators if e Postal Service do not get a monopoly on electronic transmission.

I don't quite understand your reasoning for option E...

Our goal is to infer which question can be answered with the information provided in the passage... It is nowhere mentioned in the passage whether the Postal Service will have a monopoly or not...
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Got the point buddy, I was looking for knowing what will help to solve issue. Thanks !!

Since it clearly says that if Postal Service were to offer electronic transmission, it would have an unfair advantage, since its electronic transmission service could be subsidized from the profits of the monopoly.


So this implies that postal service makes profit on first class mail, and at the expense of the profits of monopoly, could finance the electronic transmition service.


hence C

A is afraid that B subsidizes business line C with profits from business line D.

For this chain to work it is paramount that A thinks B is making a profit in business line D.

Hope this helps in terms of breaking it down.

Regards,
Chris
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In the United States, the Postal Service has a monopoly on first-class mail, but much of what is sent first class could be transmitted electronically. Electronic transmittal operators argue that if the Postal Service were to offer electronic transmission, it would have an unfair advantage, since its electronic transmission service could be subsidized from the profits of the monopoly.

Which of the following questions can be answered on the basis of the information in the passage above?
Type- inference

(A) Is the Postal Service as efficient as privately owned electric transmission services? - Incorrect - efficiency isn't discussed

(B) If private operators were allowed to operate first-class mail services, would they choose to do so? - Incorrect

(C) Do the electronic transmittal operators believe that the Postal Service makes a profit on first-class mail? - Correct - Because Electronic transmittal operators believe that if the Postal Service were to offer electronic transmission, it would have an unfair advantage, since its electronic transmission service could be subsidized from the profits of the monopoly.

(D) Is the Postal Service prohibited from offering electronic transmission services? - Incorrect - nothing about prohibition is mentioned

(E) Is the Postal Service expected to have a monopoly on electronic transmission? - Incorrect - Postal Service has a monopoly on first-class mail

Answer C
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This is really a nice question. In the prompt it is already saying that the electronically transmitted first mail can be subsidized from the monopoly on first class mail. So definitely electronic operators do believe that postal services make profit on the first class mail

However En is really a trap !

(A) Is the Postal Service as efficient as privately owned electric transmission services? - We don't know anything abt the efficiency of private electric transmission. Incorrect

(B) If private operators were allowed to operate first-class mail services, would they choose to do so?

The passage doesn't provide any info on private entry into first class mail service. Quite opposite it talks of entry of postal service into eletronic transmission. Incorrect.

(C) Do the electronic transmittal operators believe that the Postal Service makes a profit on first-class mail?

The passage talks of private players being apprehensive of postal service subsiding electronic transfer with profits from it's monopoly (first class mail) biz. Therefore, the question in Option C is answered by the passage. Correct.

(D) Is the Postal Service prohibited from offering electronic transmission services?

Nothing in passage talks of whether the postal service is prohibited from offering electronic transmission services. Incorrect.

(E) Is the Postal Service expected to have a monopoly on electronic transmission?

The passage talks of unfair advantage to postal service but doesn't provide info on whether postal service will be expected to have a monopoly. It may well be possible for private players to also compete. The monopoly will occur when private players will be driven and that is too far fetched an assumption given what is provided in the passage.

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