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aishikdhar2006
Joined: 06 Apr 2017
Last visit: 21 Nov 2020
Posts: 22
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Given Kudos: 6
Location: India
Schools: Instead Sept 20 Intake (A)
GMAT 1: 700 Q50 V34
GMAT 2: 740 Q50 V39
25 May 2017, 07:56
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Hi All. Please rate my AWA Essay below. Thank you in advance. 
Question:
The following appeared as part of the business plan of an investment and financial consulting firm.
“Studies suggest that an average coffee drinker’s consumption of coffee increases with age, from age 10 through age 60. Even after age 60, coffee consumption remains high. The average cola drinker’s consumption of cola, however, declines with increasing age. Both of these trends have remained stable for the past 40 years. Given that the number of older adults will significantly increase as the population ages over the next 20 years, it follows that the demand for coffee will increase and the demand for cola will decrease during this period. We should, therefore, consider transferring our investments from Cola Loca to Early Bird Coffee.”
Discuss how well reasoned... etc.
My Answer:
The argument states that an average coffee drinker's consumption of coffee increases with age, from 10 to 60, and remains high even after the age of 60. It claims that cola consumption for the average cola drinker declines for the same age increase. Since the trends have been stable for the last 40 years, the consulting firm assumes that the number of older adults will significantly increase as the population ages over the next 20 years and hence the demand for coffee will increase. It concludes that hence it is correct to transfer investments from Cola Loca to Early Bird Coffee. On the whole, the argument fails to consider vital factors that would have helped us evaluate it better and hence the argument comes across as an unsubstantiated one.
First, the argument is entirely based on the findings of a study but the author fails to mention the basis and the trustworthiness of the study. Was the study undertaken by a big firm or a small new one? Was the study the first of such kind by the firm? It might be true that the study was undertaken by a local small scale firm which is not creditworthy itself. The figures mentioned in the study hence might be way off from the actual ones. Hence providing the name of the firm might help reinstate trust in the conclusions drawn from the study.
Second, the statement that the number of older adults will increase significantly over the next 20 years is a stretch and is unsubstantiated. It does not consider whether the statement is even based on any study or not. It would be good to know whether there has been any recent change in the landscape of the city such that young people in their early twenties are coming over for job and education opportunities. It might also be true that due to the development of a new town nearby, which is renowned for being a great place to settle for retired people, the older people are shifting away from the city. Without answers to these questions, the argument falls flat.
Finally, barely any information has been provided about Cola Loca or Early Bird Coffee. Even though the demand for coffee might increase, people might not want to make any purchases of the coffee of the Early Bird Coffee Brand. It might be the serving lowest quality coffee around. And infact, Cola Loca might be the most famous cola brand in the city. Without any idea about these two brands, it would be a leap of faith to go ahead and invest in Early Bird Coffee.
So, without convincing factors present in the argument, it seems to be more of a wishful thinking than a concrete one. In its current state, the argument is based on assumptions which are flawed and ill-reasoned and hence the argument itself is weak. Certain examples like the ones mentioned above and certain facts are needed to reinstate what the argument concludes.
Question:
The following appeared as part of the business plan of an investment and financial consulting firm.
“Studies suggest that an average coffee drinker’s consumption of coffee increases with age, from age 10 through age 60. Even after age 60, coffee consumption remains high. The average cola drinker’s consumption of cola, however, declines with increasing age. Both of these trends have remained stable for the past 40 years. Given that the number of older adults will significantly increase as the population ages over the next 20 years, it follows that the demand for coffee will increase and the demand for cola will decrease during this period. We should, therefore, consider transferring our investments from Cola Loca to Early Bird Coffee.”
Discuss how well reasoned... etc.
My Answer:
The argument states that an average coffee drinker's consumption of coffee increases with age, from 10 to 60, and remains high even after the age of 60. It claims that cola consumption for the average cola drinker declines for the same age increase. Since the trends have been stable for the last 40 years, the consulting firm assumes that the number of older adults will significantly increase as the population ages over the next 20 years and hence the demand for coffee will increase. It concludes that hence it is correct to transfer investments from Cola Loca to Early Bird Coffee. On the whole, the argument fails to consider vital factors that would have helped us evaluate it better and hence the argument comes across as an unsubstantiated one.
First, the argument is entirely based on the findings of a study but the author fails to mention the basis and the trustworthiness of the study. Was the study undertaken by a big firm or a small new one? Was the study the first of such kind by the firm? It might be true that the study was undertaken by a local small scale firm which is not creditworthy itself. The figures mentioned in the study hence might be way off from the actual ones. Hence providing the name of the firm might help reinstate trust in the conclusions drawn from the study.
Second, the statement that the number of older adults will increase significantly over the next 20 years is a stretch and is unsubstantiated. It does not consider whether the statement is even based on any study or not. It would be good to know whether there has been any recent change in the landscape of the city such that young people in their early twenties are coming over for job and education opportunities. It might also be true that due to the development of a new town nearby, which is renowned for being a great place to settle for retired people, the older people are shifting away from the city. Without answers to these questions, the argument falls flat.
Finally, barely any information has been provided about Cola Loca or Early Bird Coffee. Even though the demand for coffee might increase, people might not want to make any purchases of the coffee of the Early Bird Coffee Brand. It might be the serving lowest quality coffee around. And infact, Cola Loca might be the most famous cola brand in the city. Without any idea about these two brands, it would be a leap of faith to go ahead and invest in Early Bird Coffee.
So, without convincing factors present in the argument, it seems to be more of a wishful thinking than a concrete one. In its current state, the argument is based on assumptions which are flawed and ill-reasoned and hence the argument itself is weak. Certain examples like the ones mentioned above and certain facts are needed to reinstate what the argument concludes.
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