The number of internet users in China has reached a mind-boggling 210

Question

The number of internet users in China has reached a mind-boggling 210 million. The figure is a staggering statistic, up by more than 50% as compared to the previous year and more than three times the number for India, the emerging Asian giant with which China is most often compared. Analysts expect that in a few months from now, China will have more internet users than that in the US, the current leader. And because the proportion of the internet user population in China is so low, at just 16%, rapid growth is likely to continue for some time.

Which of the following is an implicit assumption underlying the above argument?

A. At low base rates, we can expect much more significant improvement percentage wise than we can at higher base rates, comparatively speaking.
B. China will overtake the US in the foreseeable future in terms of internet user population.
C. A much greater percentage of the US population is using the internet now as compared to what we have in China.
D. Many more Chinese are becoming tech-savvy than they were before.
E. The current internet user population in India does not exceed 70 million.

laborumplaceat · Answer

At low base rates, higher percentage growth is expected
This is exactly what the argument relies on:
 Low penetration (16%) → more room to grow 
That’s why future growth is expected
Hence,  A is correct.

Jasmine27 · Answer

@egmat can you help explain why C is not correct?

suntprovident · Answer

The premise of the question states China has a faster growing internet population.

Analysts expect the users in China to outgrow USA (the current leader) because the user base in China is so low (16%).

Option B and E can be easily eliminated as these are facts, not assumptions stated in the passage. Option D is out of scope as internet usage may not lead to tech savyness.

Now comparing option A and option C

Option C states - " A much greater percentage of the US population is using the internet now as compared to what we have in China. "

While we know USA is a market leader, nothing is known about the fact whether a much greater percent is a user. Further this assumption may not be necessary. Negating this statement will not invalidate the argument.

Option A - Says the same thing as Option C but is better drafted.

"At low base rates, we can expect much more significant improvement percentage wise than we can at higher base rates, comparatively speaking."

We know from the passage that USA is the market leader so China has a lower base rate. Also the last line tells us that this will give us a higher growth rate. Hence better option as a direct prephasing.

Hope this helps.

guddo · Answer

The number of internet users in China has reached a mind-boggling 210 million. The figure is a staggering statistic, up by more than 50% as compared to the previous year and more than three times the number for India, the emerging Asian giant with which China is most often compared. Analysts expect that in a few months from now, China will have more internet users than that in the US, the current leader. And because the proportion of the internet user population in China is so low, at just 16%, rapid growth is likely to continue for some time.
 
 Which of the following is an implicit assumption underlying the above argument?

The argument says China’s internet-user population will likely keep growing rapidly because only 16% of its population currently uses the internet.  The hidden assumption  is that a low current usage rate leaves substantial room for  rapid percentage growth .

A. At low base rates, we can expect much more significant improvement percentage wise than we can at higher base rates, comparatively speaking.

Correct. This connects the low 16% usage rate to the prediction of continued rapid growth. If low penetration did not allow faster percentage growth, the argument’s reasoning would be much weaker.

B. China will overtake the US in the foreseeable future in terms of internet user population.

Wrong. This is close to a stated prediction, not the underlying assumption that supports the growth argument.

C. A much greater percentage of the US population is using the internet now as compared to what we have in China.

Wrong. This may be true, but the argument does not need a comparison with the US percentage. It needs the idea that China’s low usage rate allows continued growth.

D. Many more Chinese are becoming tech-savvy than they were before.

Wrong. This could help explain growth, but the argument’s stated basis is low internet penetration, not tech-savviness.

E. The current internet user population in India does not exceed 70 million.

Wrong. This follows from the statement that China’s 210 million users are more than three times India’s number. It is not an assumption supporting the conclusion.

Answer: (A)

The number of internet users in China has reached a mind-boggling 210

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The number of internet users in China has reached a mind-boggling 210

Prep Toolkit

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My Rewards