A prominent entertainment analyst has predicted that the family drama film Prime Meridian will have weak box office revenue during its theatrical run. On the one hand, it will open the same weekend as two big-budget films: the highly anticipated action-adventure Blowtorch and the sequel to the very successful comedy Animal Pleasures. On the other, on its opening week it is scheduled to be shown on only half as many movie screens as Animal Pleasures, so its earning potential is limited. Select Strengthen for the statement that, if true, would most strengthen the analyst’s argument, and select Weaken for the statement that, if true, would most weaken the analyst’s argument. Make only two selections, one in each column.

1. The question gives us an argument: "the family drama film Prime Meridian will have weak box office revenue." We are asked to find the statement that most weakens the argument and the statement that most strengthens the argument . 2. Let's consider all of the given statements: - Family dramas have historically not performed well at the box office when competing against bigbudget action-adventures. This would give reason that the film Prime Meridian will also not perform well. So, this statement strengthens the argument. - Blowtorch is expected to have higher box office revenues than Animal Pleasures. This is irrelevant, since we're interested in the film Prime Meridian. So, this statement does neither. - The last two films by the Prime Meridian lead actor did very well in DVD sales, rentals, and online downloads. It's key to remember that the argument holds for "during its theatrical run." So, this statement does neither. - After the first week, the number of movie screens on which Prime Meridian is shown will be doubled. The analyst gave one reason behind their argument: "to be shown on only half as many movie screens as Animal Pleasures." Now if this ends up being true, then the analysts conclusion would be weakened. So, this statement weakens the argument. - Sequels do not always match the box office success of the original films. This is irrelevant, since Prime Meridian is unknown whether it's a sequel and if it were, then how well the original performed. So, this statement does neither.

Additional logic I used for "weakening argument": Even if the sequel of Animal Pleasures performs poorly, we still don't know about the other movie Blowtorch. That could still dampen Prime Meridian's earnings. Option E only weakens only 50% of one of the reasons PM could fail. However, Option D weakens 100% of one of the reasons PM could fail

The sequel here is being referred to the clashing movie. It does strengthen half the argument as one of the big-budget clash is a sequel, but it doesn't talk about the other big budget movie at all. So it doesn't cover all the points unlike A, which covers both clashes together under the 'big-budget' umbrella instead of 'sequel'.

A prominent entertainment analyst has predicted that the family drama : Two-part Analysis (TPA)

A prominent entertainment analyst has predicted that the family drama

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Strengthen	Weaken
		Family dramas have historically not performed well at the box office when competing against bigbudget action-adventures.
		Blowtorch is expected to have higher box office revenues than Animal Pleasures.
		The last two films by the Prime Meridian lead actor did very well in DVD sales, rentals, and online downloads.
		After the first week, the number of movie screens on which Prime Meridian is shown will be doubled.
		Sequels do not always match the box office success of the original films.

GMAT Two-part Analysis (TPA) Questions