The CEO of a major fast-food chain just released a statement indicatin

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Overview:

Question 8 presents a scenario in which the CEO of a fast-food chain makes an announcement about upcoming revisions to the chain’s menu. The company is completely overhauling its menu items so that all items offered will now be healthier. Specifically, the announcement notes that the company will be removing unhealthy fats and offering smaller portions. The question asks the student to consider which of the answer choices most undermines the effect of the CEO’s announcement. To find the correct answer, it is necessary to focus on the details in the CEO’s comments and on what, in particular, would call into question the validity of the CEO’s remarks.

The Correct Answer:

A Answer choice (A) states that although the fast-food chain is indeed making the announced changes in its menu, it is also retaining certain addictive additives that have, by implication, long been in its food. As a result, the continued inclusion of these additives calls into question the company’s actual commitment to offering healthy foods and raises questions about the claim that the company’s food will be a healthier option than that offered by other fast-food chains. Therefore, choice (A) most seriously undermines the CEO’s statements.

The Incorrect Answers:

B That the CEO is receiving a large bonus is potentially suspicious, but it does not by itself undermine the CEO’s claim about providing healthier food options. In other words, nothing about the bonus suggests that the menu will not in fact offer healthier items than before; answer choice (B) does not address evidence for or against the CEO’s. There is no reason to be surprised that the company is rewarding the CEO in advance for a plan that will benefit the company. Thus, answer choice (B) is incorrect.

C The response of the focus group calls into question the way that customers will respond to the food, but it does not call into question the CEO’s comments about the healthy qualities of the food. Thus, answer choice (C) may be eliminated immediately.

D While the merits of advertising to young children might be arguable, the ads themselves seem to support the company’s claim that it is offering healthier choices by encouraging children to request the better menu items when they visit the fast-food chains. As a result, this answer choice seems to bring some validity to the CEO’s claims of a commitment to better health, and it is incorrect.

E The CEO makes no claim to having removed all items from the old menu. Instead, he claims that the ingredients have been improved and the menu revised. Answer choice (E) does more to support the CEO’s claims than it does to undermine it, so it is incorrect.