Smithy: Our production lines are capable of producing a variety of pro

Smithy: Our production lines are capable of producing a variety of products. Therefore, we should balance the manufacturing of digital cameras with that of other products.

Cooper: A recent consumer poll shows that 8 out of every 10 people in the country own a digital camera. By focusing our manufacturing resources on the production of digital cameras we will increase our profits.

Smithy --> wants to manufacture other products parallel to digital cameras

Cooper --> wants to manufacture or to focus only on the digital cameras --> higher demand --> more profit

A. Automated processes have drastically reduced the cost of manufacturing digital cameras, increasing the supplier's ability to earn a greater profit per individual sale. --> that strengthen Cooper's argument, they can make more profit with automated processes

B. Digital camera manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing the quality of their products so that consumers are required to purchase new products every two years. --> reduced quality --> purchase product every 2 years --> more sales --> more profit --> strengthen Cooper's argument

C. Electronic products, including digital cameras, represent almost one third of the total average consumer product expenditure. --> irrelevant

D. Consumers often regard companies that manufacture only one type of product as being more trustworthy than those that manufacture a range of different products. --> Cooper is also suggesting to focus on one product (digital cameras), strengthen Cooper's argument

E. The digital camera market is flooded with brands resulting in very low retail prices, and a fragmented market with only small portions available to each company. --> more brands --> more competition --> low retail proce --> lower profit --> weeken Cooper's argument

We need to weaken C objection
S claim: we should manufacture digital cameras
C reply: 8/10 people own digital cameras  so we would have profit

We need to find some claim that weaken the C conclusion.
Somehow we need to show 8/10 digital cameras is not a good thing for our profits.


A. Automated processes have drastically reduced the cost of manufacturing digital cameras, increasing the supplier's ability to earn a greater profit per individual sale.
Reject: If we can reduce price further, we may expect consumers to buy lower price of cameras ( e.g. everyone has mobile phone , people change and buy new phones , so here also new cameras could be of lower cost ), so 8/10 is not a bad thing for profits

B. Digital camera manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing the quality of their products so that consumers are required to purchase new products every two years.
Reject : Sure, but I don't have information of profits related with 8/10 cameras .

C. Electronic products, including digital cameras, represent almost one third of the total average consumer product expenditure.
Reject : So 1/3rd is not a small number. Still manufacturers have market to sell their products . In short 8/10 is not a bad thing.

D. Consumers often regard companies that manufacture only one type of product as being more trustworthy than those that manufacture a range of different products.
Reject: But that is more related with S claim. It weakens S claim. Wr need to find out C claim.

E. The digital camera market is flooded with brands resulting in very low retail prices, and a fragmented market with only small portions available to each company.
Correct: 8 /10 cameras already market is there and we will get only low profit , so its not a profitable business. It weakens the claim

CONCLUSION - By focusing manufacturing resources on production of digital cameras, we will increase profit

ANSWER CHOICE ANALYSIS -

A) Actually strengthens the conclusion
B) Strengthen the conclusion
C) Irrelevant to the conclusion
D) Strengthens the conclusion
E) CORRECT - It shows that increasing the production won't be of use as market is captured only a small portion by each company

Smithy: Our production lines are capable of producing a variety of products. Therefore, we should balance the manufacturing of digital cameras with that of other products.

Cooper: A recent consumer poll shows that 8 out of every 10 people in the country own a digital camera. By focusing our manufacturing resources on the production of digital cameras we will increase our profits.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Cooper's objection to Smithy's claim?


A. Automated processes have drastically reduced the cost of manufacturing digital cameras, increasing the supplier's ability to earn a greater profit per individual sale. Incorrect

it supports Cooper's argument

B. Digital camera manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing the quality of their products so that consumers are required to purchase new products every two years. Incorrect

it partially support Cooper's argument, because more sales more profits

C. Electronic products, including digital cameras, represent almost one third of the total average consumer product expenditure. Incorrect

it is not directly related with argument

D. Consumers often regard companies that manufacture only one type of product as being more trustworthy than those that manufacture a range of different products. Incorrect

directly support Cooper's argument

E. The digital camera market is flooded with brands resulting in very low retail prices, and a fragmented market with only small portions available to each company. Correct

this choice against Cooper's argument, so needs to focus on variety of products

Smithy: Advocating for the diversification of business
Cooper: Advocating for the single product manufacturing (digital camera)

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Cooper's objection to Smithy's claim?
Any option that supports - future in digital camera manufacturing is not bright - will weaken the argument put up by Cooper.
A. Automated processes have drastically reduced the cost of manufacturing digital cameras, increasing the supplier's ability to earn a greater profit per individual sale. - Out of scope

B. Digital camera manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing the quality of their products so that consumers are required to purchase new products every two years. - Out of Scope

C. Electronic products, including digital cameras, represent almost one third of the total average consumer product expenditure. - Out of Scope

D. Consumers often regard companies that manufacture only one type of product as being more trustworthy than those that manufacture a range of different products. - Strengthener

E. The digital camera market is flooded with brands resulting in very low retail prices, and a fragmented market with only small portions available to each company. - CORRECT

Smithy: Our production lines are capable of producing a variety of products. Therefore, we should balance the manufacturing of digital cameras with that of other products.

Cooper: A recent consumer poll shows that 8 out of every 10 people in the country own a digital camera. By focusing our manufacturing resources on the production of digital cameras we will increase our profits.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Cooper's objection to Smithy's claim?

A. Automated processes have drastically reduced the cost of manufacturing digital cameras, increasing the supplier's ability to earn a greater profit per individual sale. -> Strengthens Cooper's argument. Incorrect.

B. Digital camera manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing the quality of their products so that consumers are required to purchase new products every two years. -> Strengthens Cooper's argument. Incorrect.

C. Electronic products, including digital cameras, represent almost one third of the total average consumer product expenditure. -> Irrelevant.

D. Consumers often regard companies that manufacture only one type of product as being more trustworthy than those that manufacture a range of different products. -> Strengthens Cooper's argument. Incorrect.

E. The digital camera market is flooded with brands resulting in very low retail prices, and a fragmented market with only small portions available to each company. -> So, there is less market opportunity for Digital camera for the company. It weakens Cooper's argument to be focused manufacturing approach.

So, I think E.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Cooper's objection to Smithy's claim?

Pre-thinking: Weaken argument - Cooper uses the 8 out of every 10 people in the country own a digital camera to claim that company's profits will increase.
Any of the following new information can weaken Cooper's stance:
1. People in the country do not buy digital camera often/frequently OR do not buy a 2nd digital camera - this leads to lower sales and profits.
2. Profit margins in digital camera are very low OR too much competition - this leads to lower profits.
3. People buy more products from companies which have a variety of products - Smithy's claim is strengthened and Cooper's is this weakened.

A. Automated processes have drastically reduced the cost of manufacturing digital cameras, increasing the supplier's ability to earn a greater profit per individual sale. -- This option strengthens Cooper's claim about increase in profits. Drop Option A.

B. Digital camera manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing the quality of their products so that consumers are required to purchase new products every two years. -- 'Digital camera manufacturers being often accused' is irrelevant to the claim. However, if 'consumers are required to purchase new products every two years', then this option strengthens Cooper's claim as sales of cameras will increase. Drop Option B.

C. Electronic products, including digital cameras, represent almost one third of the total average consumer product expenditure. -- Neither strengthens nor weakens the Cooper's claim. Electronic products include digital cameras is too generic a statement to make any impact. Drop Option C.

D. Consumers often regard companies that manufacture only one type of product as being more trustworthy than those that manufacture a range of different products. -- This option strengthens Cooper's claim by resulting in more sales from consumers who regard such companies more trustworthy. Drop Option D.

E. The digital camera market is flooded with brands resulting in very low retail prices, and a fragmented market with only small portions available to each company. -- This option talks about digital camera market having low retail prices leading to lower sales and profits to each company. This weakens Copper's objection to Smithy's claim. Keep Option E.

Answer should be Option E.