Dear
BunuelI eliminated D because tariffs on imported goods does not clearly explain how much it is and whether it is prohibitive or not? However, in the answer explanation it seems you brought an assumption which is farther that argument (I mean in order to pick D as answer we are assuming more than what it is written, which I think this policy was not always correct in answering CR questions)
In order to resolve a paradox, I was thinking we are not obliged to take the same direction and rely on economic aspect. I chose B since I was thinking consumers of Y already have those electronics and clothes fashion in their country several months sooner (It's not my assumption, clearly stated in the passage) so, it is reasonable to think that they are interested to buy them in country X.
Moreover, in my pre-thinking I was thinking if it was an answer indication electronics and clothes in country X are not genuine, it can explain why consumers from Y are not interested in them
My biggest question is that, for D, here we brought up another assumption, which says products become too expensive because of tariffs, however, this approach I saw in answer explanations, most of the time wrong!
How can we make a distinction?
Best Regards
Bunuel wrote:
souvik101990 wrote:
The exchange rate between the currency of Country X and that of Country Y has historically favored the currency of Country Y. Because of this, citizens of Country Y often take their vacations in Country X, where the exchange rate makes hotels and restaurants more affordable. Yet, citizens of Country Y rarely purchase clothing or electronics in Country X, despite the fact that those items are more expensive in their home country, even when sales taxes are taken into account.
Which of the following, if true, would best explain the buying habits of the citizens of Country Y?
A. Citizens of Country Y prefer the fashions available in their own country.
B. Stores in Country X receive the latest fashions and technology several months after they are available in Country Y.
C. The citizens of Country X resent the buying power of the currency of Country Y.
D. The government of Country Y imposes tariffs on imported goods.
E. The currencies of Country X and Country Y are both weak compared to the currency of Country Z.
This question is part of the GMAT Club Critical Reasoning : Paradox Revision Project. OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
The argument focuses on the relative cost of goods and services in Countries X and Y due to an exchange rate that has historically favored the currency of Country Y. The argument presents an apparent discrepancy: the citizens of Country Y often take their vacations in Country X, yet rarely purchase clothing or electronics in Country X, despite the fact that those items are more expensive in their home country, even when sales taxes are taken into account. The correct answer will be one that indicates some reason why it might not actually be cheaper for citizens of Country Y to purchase clothing and electronics in Country X.
(A) The fashion preferences of the citizens of Country Y do not directly explain their buying habits. To be relevant, this statement would have to go further to link fashion preferences to purchasing decisions: for example, it would have to continue “…and are therefore willing to pay more for the goods available in their own country.”
(B) The fact that stores in Country Y receive the latest fashions and technology earlier than stores in Country X does not address the buying habits of the citizens. Even if we could assume that the citizens of Country Y demand the latest goods as soon as they are available, it still would not directly explain their buying habits. To be relevant, this statement would have to go further to link consumer preferences to purchasing decisions: for example, it would have to continue “…and the citizens of Country Y are willing to pay more in their own country just to acquire the latest goods as soon as they are available.”
(C) The attitude of the citizens of Country X is irrelevant to an argument about the purchasing habits of the citizens of Country Y.
(D) CORRECT. This choice states that the government of Country Y imposes tariffs on imported goods. This suggests that perhaps items that are purchased in Country X and brought into Country Y become prohibitively expensive because of the tariffs and could explain the spending habits of the citizens of Country Y.
(E) The currency of Country Z is irrelevant to why citizens of Country Y rarely purchase clothing or electronics in Country X.
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05 Jun 2022, 03:59
