Major airlines claim that the fares they charge haven’t increased in r

Question

Major airlines claim that the fares they charge haven’t increased in recent years. However, the various fees that used to be included in the quoted fare are now charged separately. The fees added to the quoted fare now include the 9/11 security fee, the fuel surcharge, and the airport departure fee. The airlines are just following the example of other travel-related industries that have added on fees and taxes for years. The rental car and hotel industries usually quote a rate that is 20 percent less than the actual bill. In major cities, restaurants and bars usually have an additional tax rate that is included on the bill with the sales tax. In fact, there isn’t one aspect of traveling where the quoted price is the final price.

If true, which of the following facts concerning the costs of travel would most weaken the above conclusion?

(A) Many items ordered through the mail include shipping and handling fees that are more than the cost of the actual item.

(B) The price of a gallon of gasoline that is quoted at the pump and on the gas station signs already includes all the fuel taxes and is the actual, final price.

(C) When traveling outside of the United States and Canada, Americans should remember that the quoted price is often just the starting point for negotiations 
and that the final price is usually much lower.

(D) The quoted price for travel on most cruise ships doesn’t include a variety of fees, including fees for excursions, beverages charges, and gratuities for the staff.

(E) The price quoted for a new car usually doesn’t even include the destination charge, which is the cost of getting the car to the dealership.

Source:  GMAT for Dummies

imyuva · Answer

Can anyone explain why B is correct?

I have selected C, because if the final price is lower than quoted price, then many would be travelling. So that this will weak the conclusion that if price is increased, many wouldn't be travelling.

amanvermagmat · Answer

The main conclusion line states that: "There isn't one aspect of travelling where the quoted price is same as the final price."

Option B directly refutes this by stating that quoted price of gasoline is same as the final price. This, if true, is clearly contradictory to the conclusion. No other option comes close.

Hence  B

utkarshthapak · Answer

Hi, the conclusion of given argument is "there isn’t one aspect of traveling where the quoted price is the final price." So author says that all aspects of travelling have some additional charges to the quoted price. We have to find an aspect of travelling whose quoted price is the final price. Only option B tells that gasoline includes everything and quoted price is final and includes all additional charges/ taxes. Let me know if you need more clarification. I hope it helps

nikitachaudhary · Answer

I choose b becoz it is opposing the statement in question as here the quoted price is the final price no additional price hidden.

Posted from my mobile device

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

This critical-reasoning question requires you to weaken the conclusion that the quoted price for travel fees isn’t the final price. In order to weaken this conclusion, you should find an area of travel that doesn’t include hidden fees.

Choices A  and  E  point out that hidden fees exist (and may be higher) in other industries, but comparing travel fees to fees in other industries doesn’t weaken the conclusion that the travel industry hides fees that aren’t quoted.

Choice D  actually shows an instance in the travel industry where the final price isn’t the quoted price, so it can’t be right.

Choice C  points out the fact that some final prices are actually lower that the quoted price, but the final price is still different from the quoted price, so C actually strengthens the argument.

Choice B  points out one instance in the travel industry in which the final price is the same as the advertised price. This finding weakens the conclusion that there isn’t  “one aspect of traveling where the quoted price is the final price.” Choice B  is the best answer of the five.

Answer: B

Major airlines claim that the fares they charge haven’t increased in r

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