GMAT Essays (AWA)

Read the statement(s) and the instructions that follow, and then make any notes that will help you plan your response. Begin typing your response in the box at the bottom of the screen.
The following appeared in a proposal for a high school's annual fundraising event:

"In order to earn the most money for supplemental school programs, we will have larger and more thrilling rides at this year's School Fair, including a ferris wheel that is twice as tall as last year's ferris wheel. In addition, the game vendors will award more expensive prizes and the food stalls will showcase a variety of upscale international dishes. As a result, we will be able to charge a higher entrance fee and the dollar amount we earn via our commission on the vendors' revenues will be higher than it was last year."

Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. Point out flaws in the argument's logic and analyze the argument's underlying assumptions. In addition, evaluate how supporting evidence is used and what evidence might counter the argument's conclusion. You may also discuss what additional evidence could be used to strengthen the argument or what changes would make the argument more logically sound.
Answer:
The argument stated above is based on numerous assumptions. The basic assumption of the argument is that the participation in this year's School Fair will be equal to or greater than last year's participation. This would result in collection of higher dollar amount from the participants and lead to higher revenues for the school program. Also, another assumption is that the vendors' will witness higher footfall resulting in increased revenue. Thus, the overall commission on the vendors' revenue will be higher than it was last year. The argument assumes that including a a ferris wheel that is twice as tall as last year's ferris wheel and awarding more expensive prizes will result in higher number of participants.

The fundamental flaw in the argument is the fact that the participation may reduce due to the higher entrance fee that is proposed. This will lead to loss in revenues and ultimately lead to failure of the program. Since the argument is proposing new ideas for fund raising event, participation is the most important aspect. In a situation where there are lesser number of participants compared to last year, the conclusion might not be true. The school may not be able to earn the expected revenues.

The supporting evidence used in the argument is that the attractions in the fundraising event - the ferris wheel, the game vendors awarding more expensive prizes and the food stalls showcasing a variety of upscale international dishes, will result in increased footfall. The argument claims that the increased attractions will generate increased revenue for the supplementary school programs.

The evidence that counter's the arguments conclusion is that people will be willing to participate in the event despite the higher entrance fee. Also, the vendors' will be willing to award more expensive prizes. The counter evidence used is that thrilling rides and expensive prizes are sufficient to raise revenues higher than that of last year.

Additional evidence that can be used to strengthen the argument is that the school management has researched that participants are willing to pay higher entrance fee if there are more thrilling rides and the game vendors award more expensive prizes in the event. Another evidence that strengthens the argument is that the vendors' are looking at options to increase their revenue and thus more stalls will showcase various dishes from across the world. Also, the participation in the event will be higher than that of last year despite the increase in the higher entrance fee. These evidences when added to the argument will make the argument logically sound.