IMO A.
You need to check carefully the terms marked in red. Stimulus says that the prices of RAW WOOL decreasing, prices of COTTON CLOTHING has not fallen but will inevitably fall. This is the conclusion. We have to find an answer which weakens this conclusion.
If there is some factor, which can counter balance the decreased prices of raw cotton with increased prices of cotton clothing, will be correct answer. Let's check all options:
A. The cost of processing raw cotton for cloth has increased during the last Year. [Bingo, now thats what I am talking about. Wait lets check other options as well]
B. The wholesale price is typically higher than that of the same volume of raw cotton. [So what? How does it affect the clothing rate.
Incorrect]
C. The operating costs of the average retail cloting store have remained constant during the last year. [We are discussing the relationship b/w pricing of raw cotton and cotton clothing. This choice is irrelenet to our concern.
Incorrect]
D. Changes in retail prices always lag behind changes in wholesale prices. [Oh really. What if there is less harvest of raw cotton and no overstock for manufacturers?
Incorrect]
E. The cost of harvesting raw cotton has increased in the last year. [This is strengthing the conclusion. Beware it is an example of OPPOSITE case fallacy.
Incorrect]
So, A is the best answer.
zz0vlb wrote:
Unlike the wholesale price of
raw wool, the wholesale price of
raw cotton has fallen considerably in the last Year. Thus, although the retail price of
cotton clothing at retail cloting stores has not yet fallen, it will inevitably fall.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?
A. The cost of processing raw cotton for cloth has increased during the last Year.
B. The wholesale price is typically higher than that of the same volume of raw cotton.
C. The operating costs of the average retail cloting store have remained constant during the last year.
D. Changes in retail prices always lag behind changes in wholesale prices.
E. The cost of harvesting raw cotton has increased in the last year.