Smithy: Our production lines are capable of producing a variety of pro

Question

Smithy: Our production lines are capable of producing a variety of products. Therefore, we should balance the manufacturing of digital cameras with that of other products.

Cooper: A recent consumer poll shows that 8 out of every 10 people in the country own a digital camera. By focusing our manufacturing resources on the production of digital cameras we will increase our profits.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Cooper's objection to Smithy's claim?

A. Automated processes have drastically reduced the cost of manufacturing digital cameras, increasing the supplier's ability to earn a greater profit per individual sale.

B. Digital camera manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing the quality of their products so that consumers are required to purchase new products every two years.

C. Electronic products, including digital cameras, represent almost one third of the total average consumer product expenditure.

D. Consumers often regard companies that manufacture only one type of product as being more trustworthy than those that manufacture a range of different products.

E. The digital camera market is flooded with brands resulting in very low retail prices, and a fragmented market with only small portions available to each company.

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Smithy: Our production lines are capable of producing a variety of products. Therefore, we should balance the manufacturing of digital cameras with that of other products.

Cooper: A recent consumer poll shows that 8 out of every 10 people in the country own a digital camera. By focusing our manufacturing resources on the production of digital cameras we will increase our profits.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Cooper's objection to Smithy's claim?

A. Automated processes have drastically reduced the cost of manufacturing digital cameras, increasing the supplier's ability to earn a greater profit per individual sale.

Incorrect.

This is a Conclusion Weakening question in the Dialog format. You are asked to choose the answer choice which weakens Cooper's objection (or strengthens Smithy's claim):

This answer choice actually strengthens Cooper's objection whereas you are required to weaken it. If a greater profit per individual sale can be earned, then it follows that focusing on the production of digital cameras is a logical thing to do.

B. Digital camera manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing the quality of their products so that consumers are required to purchase new products every two years.

Incorrect.

This answer choice neither weakens nor strengthens Cooper's objection. The fact that some manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing their quality doesn't really change anything. Our argument is about which product Cooper and Smithy's factory should be focusing on. Look for an answer choice that weakens Cooper's objection or strengthens Smithy's claim.

C. Electronic products, including digital cameras, represent almost one third of the total average consumer product expenditure.

Incorrect.

This fact about the total average consumer product expenditure neither supports nor opposes Cooper's objection. Even though digital cameras are included, the subject of this statement is electronic products in general, so it cannot help us weaken Cooper's stand on the argument.

D. Consumers often regard companies that manufacture only one type of product as being more trustworthy than those that manufacture a range of different products.

Incorrect.

This answer choice strengthens Coopers point of view while you are required to weaken it. Cooper wants to produce digital cameras more than any other product. This statement justifies his wish as focusing on digital cameras alone would increase the company's trustworthiness in the eyes of the consumers.

E. The digital camera market is flooded with brands resulting in very low retail prices, and a fragmented market with only small portions available to each company.

This answer choice provides strong reasoning why focusing on the digital camera market will not be a very wise thing to do: the market is flooded, prices are low etc. Therefore, Cooper's view that focusing on such a market will increase profits is weakened by this statement.

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sumitkrocks · Answer

A. Automated processes have drastically reduced the cost of manufacturing digital cameras, increasing the supplier's ability to earn a greater profit per individual sale.

Support's Cooper's argument

B. Digital camera manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing the quality of their products so that consumers are required to purchase new products every two years. 
 Support's Cooper's argument

C. Electronic products, including digital cameras, represent almost one third of the total average consumer product expenditure. 
 Support's Cooper's argument

D. Consumers often regard companies that manufacture only one type of product as being more trustworthy than those that manufacture a range of different products.  
 Opposes Smithy's argument

E. The digital camera market is flooded with brands resulting in very low retail prices, and a fragmented market with only small portions available to each company.

Since very small part of the market is available to each company, likelihood of increasing the profits is also limited-and this option weakens the Cooper's argument

E is the answer IMO

Adambhau · Answer

Smithy: Our production lines are capable of producing a variety of products. Therefore, we should balance the manufacturing of digital cameras with that of other products.

Cooper: A recent consumer poll shows that 8 out of every 10 people in the country own a digital camera. By focusing our manufacturing resources on the production of digital cameras we will increase our profits.

Smithy --> wants to manufacture other products parallel to digital cameras

Cooper --> wants to manufacture or to focus only on the digital cameras --> higher demand --> more profit

A. Automated processes have drastically reduced the cost of manufacturing digital cameras, increasing the supplier's ability to earn a greater profit per individual sale.  --> that strengthen Cooper's argument, they can make more profit with automated processes

B. Digital camera manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing the quality of their products so that consumers are required to purchase new products every two years.  --> reduced quality --> purchase product every 2 years --> more sales --> more profit --> strengthen Cooper's argument

C. Electronic products, including digital cameras, represent almost one third of the total average consumer product expenditure.  --> irrelevant

D. Consumers often regard companies that manufacture only one type of product as being more trustworthy than those that manufacture a range of different products.  --> Cooper is also suggesting to focus on one product (digital cameras), strengthen Cooper's argument

E. The digital camera market is flooded with brands resulting in very low retail prices, and a fragmented market with only small portions available to each company.  --> more brands --> more competition --> low retail proce --> lower profit --> weeken Cooper's argument

mSKR · Answer

We need to weaken C objection 
S claim: we should manufacture digital cameras
C reply: 8/10 people own digital cameras  so we would have profit

We need to find some claim that weaken the C conclusion.
Somehow we need to show 8/10 digital cameras is not a good thing for our profits.

A. Automated processes have drastically reduced the cost of manufacturing digital cameras, increasing the supplier's ability to earn a greater profit per individual sale.
Reject: If we can reduce price further, we may expect consumers to buy lower price of cameras ( e.g. everyone has mobile phone , people change and buy new phones , so here also new cameras could be of lower cost ), so 8/10 is not a bad thing for profits

B. Digital camera manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing the quality of their products so that consumers are required to purchase new products every two years.
Reject : Sure, but I don't have information of profits related with 8/10 cameras .

C. Electronic products, including digital cameras, represent almost one third of the total average consumer product expenditure.
Reject : So 1/3rd is not a small number. Still manufacturers have market to sell their products . In short 8/10 is not a bad thing.

D. Consumers often regard companies that manufacture only one type of product as being more trustworthy than those that manufacture a range of different products.
Reject: But that is more related with S claim. It weakens S claim. Wr need to find out C claim.

E. The digital camera market is flooded with brands resulting in very low retail prices, and a fragmented market with only small portions available to each company.
 Correct:  8 /10 cameras already market is there and we will get only low profit , so its not a profitable business. It weakens the claim

minalgambhir · Answer

CONCLUSION - By focusing manufacturing resources on production of digital cameras, we will increase profit

ANSWER CHOICE ANALYSIS -

A) Actually strengthens the conclusion
B) Strengthen the conclusion
C) Irrelevant to the conclusion
D) Strengthens the conclusion
E) CORRECT - It shows that increasing the production won't be of use as market is captured only a small portion by each company

winterschool · Answer

Smithy: Our production lines are capable of producing a variety of products. Therefore, we should balance the manufacturing of digital cameras with that of other products.

Cooper: A recent consumer poll shows that 8 out of every 10 people in the country own a digital camera. By focusing our manufacturing resources on the production of digital cameras we will increase our profits.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Cooper's objection to Smithy's claim?

A. Automated processes have drastically reduced the cost of manufacturing digital cameras, increasing the supplier's ability to earn a greater profit per individual sale.  Incorrect

it supports Cooper's argument

B. Digital camera manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing the quality of their products so that consumers are required to purchase new products every two years.  Incorrect

it partially support Cooper's argument, because more sales more profits

C. Electronic products, including digital cameras, represent almost one third of the total average consumer product expenditure.  Incorrect

it is not directly related with argument

D. Consumers often regard companies that manufacture only one type of product as being more trustworthy than those that manufacture a range of different products.  Incorrect

directly support Cooper's argument

E.  The digital camera market is flooded with brands resulting in very low retail prices, and a fragmented market with only small portions available to each company.   Correct

this choice against Cooper's argument, so needs to focus on variety of products

Green2k1 · Answer

Smithy: Advocating for the diversification of business
Cooper: Advocating for the single product manufacturing (digital camera)

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Cooper's objection to Smithy's claim?
 Any option that supports - future in digital camera manufacturing is not bright - will weaken the argument put up by Cooper. 
A. Automated processes have drastically reduced the cost of manufacturing digital cameras, increasing the supplier's ability to earn a greater profit per individual sale. - Out of scope

B. Digital camera manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing the quality of their products so that consumers are required to purchase new products every two years. - Out of Scope

C. Electronic products, including digital cameras, represent almost one third of the total average consumer product expenditure. - Out of Scope

D. Consumers often regard companies that manufacture only one type of product as being more trustworthy than those that manufacture a range of different products. - Strengthener

E.  The digital camera market is flooded with brands resulting in very low retail prices, and a fragmented market with only small portions available to each company.   - CORRECT

TarunKumar1234 · Answer

Smithy: Our production lines are capable of producing a variety of products. Therefore, we should balance the manufacturing of digital cameras with that of other products.

Cooper: A recent consumer poll shows that 8 out of every 10 people in the country own a digital camera. By focusing our manufacturing resources on the production of digital cameras we will increase our profits.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Cooper's objection to Smithy's claim?

A. Automated processes have drastically reduced the cost of manufacturing digital cameras, increasing the supplier's ability to earn a greater profit per individual sale. Incorrect

it supports Cooper's argument

B. Digital camera manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing the quality of their products so that consumers are required to purchase new products every two years. Incorrect

it partially support Cooper's argument, because more sales more profits

C. Electronic products, including digital cameras, represent almost one third of the total average consumer product expenditure. Incorrect

it is not directly related with argument

D. Consumers often regard companies that manufacture only one type of product as being more trustworthy than those that manufacture a range of different products. Incorrect

directly support Cooper's argument

E. The digital camera market is flooded with brands resulting in very low retail prices, and a fragmented market with only small portions available to each company. Correct

this choice against Cooper's argument, so needs to focus on variety of products

RajatJ79 · Answer

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Cooper's objection to Smithy's claim?

Pre-thinking :  Weaken argument  - Cooper uses the  8 out of every 10 people in the country own a digital camera  to claim that company's profits will increase.
 Any of the following new information can weaken Cooper's stance:
1. People in the country do not buy digital camera often/frequently OR do not buy a 2nd digital camera - this leads to lower sales and profits.
2. Profit margins in digital camera are very low OR too much competition - this leads to lower profits.
3. People buy more products from companies which have a variety of products - Smithy's claim is strengthened and Cooper's is this weakened.

A. Automated processes have drastically reduced the cost of manufacturing digital cameras, increasing the supplier's ability to earn a greater profit per individual sale. --  This option strengthens Cooper's claim about increase in profits.  Drop Option A.

B. Digital camera manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing the quality of their products so that consumers are required to purchase new products every two years. --  'Digital camera manufacturers being often accused' is irrelevant to the claim. However, if 'consumers are required to purchase new products every two years', then this option strengthens Cooper's claim as sales of cameras will increase.  Drop Option B.

C. Electronic products, including digital cameras, represent almost one third of the total average consumer product expenditure. --  Neither strengthens nor weakens the Cooper's claim. Electronic products include digital cameras is too generic a statement to make any impact.  Drop Option C.

D. Consumers often regard companies that manufacture only one type of product as being more trustworthy than those that manufacture a range of different products. --  This option strengthens Cooper's claim by resulting in more sales from consumers who regard such companies more trustworthy.  Drop Option D.

E. The digital camera market is flooded with brands resulting in very low retail prices, and a fragmented market with only small portions available to each company. --  This option talks about digital camera market having low retail prices leading to lower sales and profits to each company. This weakens Copper's objection to Smithy's claim.   Keep Option E.

Answer should be Option E.

Smithy: Our production lines are capable of producing a variety of pro

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Smithy: Our production lines are capable of producing a variety of pro

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