Argument Evaluation

f2001290 · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 4:40 am Post subject: Argument Evaluation

CRITICAL REASONING PRACTICE SETS
9. Ernesto: Sales of VCRs—videocassette
recorders—will decline in the next
few years because the saturation
level among U.S. households has
virtually been reached.
Milton: Every year a greater number of
popular feature films is released on
cassette—at least 6 per month.
Clearly VCR sales will remain
constant, if not rise.
Which of the following is the best logical
evaluation of Milton’s response to Ernesto’s
argument?
(A) He cites evidence that, if true, disproves
the evidence cited by Ernesto in drawing
his conclusion.
(B) He points out a gap in the logic followed
by Ernesto in drawing his conclusion.
(C) He cites an issue ignored by Ernesto and
which outweighs the issues raised by
Ernesto.
(D) He does not speak to Ernesto’s point
because he fails to raise the issue of
whether VCR sales may be linked to sales
of other leisure-related products.
(E) He fails to respond to Ernesto’s argument
because he assumes that nothing will
significantly retard the sale of VCR’s,
which was the issue that Ernesto raised.

Can somebody offer some tips and tricks on "Evaluation of the argument" questions. I get them wrong 99% of the time. Please provide some material if available.

isisalaska · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:12 am Post subject:

I believe is D since he does not address to Ernesto’ s main point which is the saturation in the household market:

A) I don’t believe he is citing any evidence
B) He does not point out any gap
C) This issue does not outweighs Ernesto’s
E) This is too extreme “nothing will retard…”

jrbrown2 · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:13 pm Post subject:

I'd say it's E

Milton ignores the saturation issue that Ernesto brings up. He also assumes that since more films are released on cassette every year, this will continue to happen (i.e. nothing will retard VCR's sales)

What's the OA?

Jhyphi · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:10 am Post subject:

I'm also going to say D.

jan08 · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 3:35 pm Post subject:

OA pl?

sankruth · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:26 am Post subject:

IMO - C
A – Incorrect, because Milton has not disproved Ernesto’s evidence, which is that VCR sales has hit a saturation level.
B – Incorrect. Milton is not picking a logical flaw but using some new evidence to conclude something contrary.
C – Looks good! – Milton does cite an issue which has been ignored by Ernesto, which will result in sales holding its levels or even increase.
D – Incorrect – Ernesto’s issue was not whether sales of VCR were linked to sales of other leisure-related products.
E – Incorrect because Ernesto’s argument is sales of VCR will drop, for which he gives a reason. Milton responds to the argument by giving another reason to substantiate a conclusion which is quite the opposite.

OA please?

v_shiv · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 1:10 am Post subject:

OA was E. I had chosen D because I thought that Milton will not assume that VCR sales will retard but he is giving an alternative reason but without addressing the issue raised by Earnesto.