Book publishers have traditionally published a few books that they

Question

Book publishers have traditionally published a few books that they thought were of intrinsic merit even though these books were unlikely to make a profit. Nowadays, however, fewer of these books are being published. It seems, therefore, that publishers now, more than ever, are more interested in making money than in publishing books of intrinsic value.

Which one of the following statements, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

(A) Book publishers have always been very interested in making money.

(B) There has been a notable decline in the quality of books written in recent years.

(C) In the past, often books of intrinsic value would unexpectedly make a sizable profit.

(D) There have always been authors unwilling to be published unless a profit is guaranteed.

(E) In recent years, profits in the book publishing industry have been declining.

Blair15 · Answer

Answer should be B, as we have to weaken that book publishers are more interested in making money than in publishing books of intrinsic value. Option B suggests that since there has been a decline in the quality of books publishers have no choice but to sell whatever is available. The quality has dropped not the interest of publishers.

singhaz · Answer

Ans should be C as publishers were already getting profit from intrinsic books.
As per passage, publishers were publishing few books and then it got fewer, it means quality of good books was already less and hence b is incorrect

Neha2404 · Answer

IMO-B
Premises:-
Book publishers have traditionally published a few books that they thought were of intrinsic merit even though these books were unlikely to make a profit.
fewer of these books are being published,

Conclusion:-
publishers now are more interested in making money than in publishing books of intrinsic value.

(B) There has been a notable decline in the quality of books written in recent years.:-  Correct

This answer choose is provide alternative reason why No of books are decline.

(C) In the past, often books of intrinsic value would unexpectedly make a sizable profit.
Why option C is incorrect- Option C focus on the past and our Focus is on the Present.
If previously publish book is providing unexpected profit it means not they will provide the profit in present also.
Option C might be weaken the conclusion but our concern is weakening of the argument. Argument is reasoning involve the conclusion and premises.

murariaman · Answer

VivekSri · Answer

OA : B

Book publishers have traditionally published a few books that they thought were of intrinsic merit even though these books were unlikely to make a profit. Nowadays, however, fewer of these books are being published.

Conclusion:-
 publishers now are more interested in making money than in publishing books of intrinsic value.

Now we have to weaken this argument.
 Pre-thinking:   What if publisher still want to publish books but the quality/intrinsic value books are not being written in these years. What if No authors wants to write these types of books. So how can publisher publish the book and if this is the case whole conclusion will fall apart.

(A) Book publishers have always been very interested in making money. ->  This is strengthening the argument. So not possible.

(B) There has been a notable decline in the quality of books written in recent years.:-  Correct .This is our pre-thinking also.

(C) In the past, often books of intrinsic value would unexpectedly make a sizable profit.  This is the strengthening the conclusion we have to weaken it. This means, in the past, publisher make the profit so they publish, no they want to publish.

D) There have always been authors unwilling to be published unless a profit is guaranteed. ->  So if this is the case this should happen in the past and then it is questioning the premise, which can never happen in GMAT question.

(E) In recent years, profits in the book publishing industry have been declining. ->  We have to weaken the argument that publisher doesn't want only money. So this Out of Context.

kindly give kudos if I really cleared your doubt.

Mavisdu1017 · Answer

Hello expert,
I think both B and D can weaken, as both they offer an alternative cause. But why is D wrong? 
In D, some authors are unwilling to publish unless a profit is guaranteed, and premise has said such books with intrinsic value are always unprofitable, so it is NOT because the publisher’s greed. Hope to explain, and thanks in advance.

Divijakanneganty · Answer

Context: Few books (Intrinsic merit + lower likelihood of profit) were published before.
Reason: Now that number has come down. I.e. If previously 100 such books were published, at present only 20 such books are being published.
Conclusion: So, Publishers are more inclined to make money.

Publishing such books takes 2 factors (Intrinsic merit & profit making) into account. In order to weaken author's conclusion attack the other factor.

(A) Book publishers have always been very interested in making money.  Then they should not have published these books in the past as well

(B) There has been a notable decline in the quality of books written in recent years.

(C) In the past, often books of intrinsic value would unexpectedly make a sizable profit.  Gives info about past, says nothing about present.

(D) There have always been authors unwilling to be published unless a profit is guaranteed.  Irrelevant

(E) In recent years, profits in the book publishing industry have been declining.  Irrelevant

VerbalBot · Answer

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Book publishers have traditionally published a few books that they

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Book publishers have traditionally published a few books that they

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