ruchi857 wrote:
Of the 70 percent of Americans who applied or reapplied for automobile insurance last year, only 10% requested and read a booklet provided by the Federal Government on automobile safety and strategies for reducing insurance costs. Therefore, at least 90 percent of Americans who bought auto insurance this year are paying too much for their policy.
The reasoning behind this conclusion is called into question by which of the following?
A. Consumers must pay a fee to obtain the Federal booklet by mail.
B. The booklet offers ideas for reducing insurance costs that are unavailable elsewhere
C. Some consumers are able to choose a good policy without the aid of the booklet.
D. Of the 30 percent of Americans who do not have automobile insurance, 10 percent are uninsured drivers and 20 percent do not drive.
E. Knowledge of automobile safety techniques tends to reduce a driver's monthly insurance payment.
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I used the following reasoning. Please do correct me if I am wrong anywhere.
The premise says that of all the people buying the insurance (70% Americans), only 10% ask for the booklet. This booklet helps people to choose a cheaper insurance policy. The conclusion states that the rest - 90% of people buying the policy are paying more.
You can see the flaw in the reasoning here. The author presents no evidence that the people asking for the booklet are actually paying less for the policy. It could be that others are already aware of the information presented in the booklet and are therefore able to choose an inexpensive policy!
Option A: Consumers must pay a fee to obtain the Federal booklet by mail.
It does not talk about the cost of the policy but about the cost of the booklet. [Not our answer!]
Option B: The booklet offers ideas for reducing insurance costs that are unavailable elsewhere
This would actually strengthen the argument. [Not our answer!]
Option C: Some consumers are able to choose a good policy without the aid of the booklet.
This states the flaw that we talked about. [Could be our answer!]
Option D: Of the 30 percent of Americans who do not have automobile insurance, 10 percent are uninsured drivers and 20 percent do not drive.
This talks about the 30% of people who DO NOT have the insurance. Whereas our conclusion talks about the people who have the insurance. This information is irrelevant. [Not our answer!]
Option E: Knowledge of automobile safety techniques tends to reduce a driver's monthly insurance payment.
This draws on something already mentioned in the premise. I anything, this would strengthen the conclusion. [Not our answer!]
Option C is the best choice and our answer.