Recently, there was a huge flood in Hunan, China, during the

1.Recently, there was a huge flood in Hunan, China, during the rice-growing season. This will double the price of rice this season, which means that the cost of making rice-cakes will be more expensive. Unfortunately, rice-cake consumers in Hunan will now have to pay more for rice-cakes.

Which of the following, if true, MOST weakens the argument above?

(A) The recent flood was not as severe as scientist predicted.
(B) Regions other than Hunan also supply rice to rice-cake manufactures in Hunan.
(C) Ingredients other than rice are used in the production of rice-cakes.
(D) Last year the price of rice was actually lower than the average price over the past ten years.
(E) The price of rice will eventually be too high for most consumers because of inflation.

2.Mitchell Motor Company recently had a big jump in pick-up truck sales after hiring a new design team to give their pick-up trucks more upscale look designed to appeal to a more affluent clientale. The company is now planning to launch a new line of sub-compact cars using the same concept.
The company’s plan assumes that

(A) Other sub-compacts with an upscale look do not yet exist in the market
(B) An upscale clientele would be interested in sub-compact
(C) The same design team could be employed for both projects
(D) Customers who who bought older pick-up trucks would be just as likely to buy the new upscale looking ones