Radio Stations with radio data system (RDS) technology broadcast special program information that only radios with an RDS feature can receive. Between 1994 and 1996, the number of RDS radio stations in Verdland increased from 250 to 600. However, since the number of RDS equipped radios in Verdland was about the same in 1996 as in 1994, the number of Verdlanders receiving the special program information probably did not increase significantly.
Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
Question type: Assumption
Conclusion: Since the number of RDS equipped radios in Verdland remained the same, the number of Verdlanders receiving the special program information probably did not increase significantly.
1. Radio stations with RDS technology broadcasts ‘special’ programs --> Radios with RDS tech can only receive them.
2. From 1994 --> 1996
number of RDS stations in Verdland increased by 350.
3. Number of RDS radios in Verdland in 1996
= Number of RDS radios in Verdland in 1994
OR Number remained about the same.Now what might be an assumption on which the conclusion rests? Look at the third statement.
In Verdland,
the number of RDS radios between 1994 and 1996 either
1) Didn’t change at all (or)
2) changed negligibly (let’s say 10 to 12)
So, even after 350 new RDS stations in Verdland, it probably means that these new RDS stations were introduced in areas where Verdlanders already had RDS radios--which is why the number wasn't impacted.
With this in mind, let’s look at the options.
A. Few if any of the RDS radio stations that began broadcasting in Verdland after 1994 broadcast to people with RDS-equipped radios living in areas not previously reached by RDS stations.
The simplified version of this option is that there are areas where RDS station frequencies would not reach before, even though people who lived there had RDS-equipped radios and that there are only few or maybe no radio stations that now broadcast to these places. Clearly, this is what the author is assuming and this is the reason why he has concluded that the number of Verdlanders receiving the special program information probably did not increase. Another hint: “Few if any of the RDS radio stations” – it means one or two and not more stations. In short, negligible change.B. In 1996 Verdlanders who lived within the listening area of an RDS station already had a radio equipped to receive RDS.
Says “in 1996” people in the range could listen. So what? Not an assumption! Even if those who lived within the listening area of an RDS station already had a radio equipped to receive RDS, then the number of Verdlanders receiving the special program information should have increased.
C. Equipping a radio station with RDS technology does not decrease the station's listening area.
This option talks about listening area/range. Doesn’t fill the gap in logic in any way. Even if equipping a radio station with RDS technology does not decrease the station's listening area then the number of Verdlanders receiving the special program information should have increased. D. In 1996 Verdlanders who did not own radios equipped to receive RDS could not receive any programming from the RDS radio stations that began broadcasting in Verdland after 1994.
Says “any programming” while we are concerned about “special programming”; plus. not an assumption.E. The RDS radio stations in Verdland in 1996 did not all offer the same type of programming.
This is irrelevant and does not fit in with our line of reasoning. - Nitha Jay