GetThisDone wrote:
Traditionally, video game manufacturers have been most strongly influenced by serious video gamers. Because devoted gamers have historically purchased the majority of video games, companies react to the desires of this market segment. Normally, devoted gamers crave speed and action;
thus, most manufacturers continue to produce games with faster chips and flashier graphics. Unfortunately, faster chips and flashier graphics are no longer in the industry’s best interest.
The devoted gaming market is deeply stagnant, and it won’t soon expand. To infuse new life into the video game market, manufacturers must simplify the functionality of their games. By doing so, current non-gamers will be attracted to join the ranks of video game fans.
In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
(A) The first is a situation that the author believes to be true; the second offers evidence to explain this situation.
(B) The first is a situation that the author argues should not continue; the second provides evidence that supports the author’s position.
(C) The first is a statement of fact that contradicts the author’s position; the second is the author’s position.
(D) The first is a statement of fact that supports the author’s position; the second is a consideration that weighs against the author’s position.
(E) The first is a prediction that the author believes should not hold in this case; the second is an assumption that weighs against the author’s position.
OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
The author explains that devoted gamers traditionally dictate the design of video games. However, due to changes in the market, the author argues that this system is no longer in the best interest of the industry. Instead, to infuse new life into the video game market, manufacturers should simplify their games in order to attract non-gamers into the gaming fold.
(A) The first boldface portion does relate a situation that the author believes to be true. The second boldface portion, however, does not explain this situation; instead, it offers evidence to demonstrate why this situation should not continue.
(B) CORRECT. The first boldface portion is a situation that the author believes to be true now. Due to changes in the market, however, the author believes this situation should not continue. The second boldface portion provides evidence to support the author’s contention that the best way to grow the gaming market is to attract new gamers.
(C) The first boldface portion is a statement of fact that contradicts the author’s position. The second boldface portion, however, provides evidence to support the author’s position, but it is not the position itself.
(D) The first boldface portion is a statement of fact that contradicts the author’s position. The second boldface portion provides evidence to support the author’s position.
(E) The first boldface portion is not a prediction; rather, it is a statement of fact (or description of a situation) that the author believes should not hold in this case. The second statement is not an assumption, nor does it weigh against the author's position; instead, it is a premise that provides evidence in support of the author’s position.
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