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factor26 Rising GMAT Star Default Avatar
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Subscriptions to.... Post Sun Feb 12, 2012 6:23 pm
Elapsed Time: 00:00
  • Lap #[LAPCOUNT] ([LAPTIME])
    Cable-television spokesperson: Subscriptions to
    cable television are a bargain in comparison to “free”
    television. Remember that “free” television is not really
    free. It is consumers, in the end, who pay for the
    costly advertising that supports “free” television.
    Which of the following, if true, is most damaging to the
    position of the cable-television spokesperson?

    (A) Consumers who do not own television sets are
    less likely to be influenced in their purchasing
    decisions by television advertising than are
    consumers who own television sets.

    (B) Subscriptions to cable television include access
    to some public-television channels, which do not
    accept advertising.

    (C) For locations with poor television reception,
    cable television provides picture quality superior
    to that provided by free television.

    (D) There is as much advertising on many cabletelevision
    channels as there is on “free”
    television channels.

    (E) Cable-television subscribers can choose which
    channels they wish to receive.

    Answer is D... I'm having some trouble grasping the question answers here and the passage itself as well. can someone please break down, in detail, this question for me? Much appreciated thanks all!

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    guha.santanu@gmail.com Rising GMAT Star Default Avatar
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    Post Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:32 pm
    A. Consumers who don't watch TV are irrelevant to the argument.
    B. This is doesn't weaken the argument that "free" TV is not free, rather this might stengthen the argument.
    C. The picture quality of cable & free TV are not an issue here.
    D. This make sense, so cable tv give advertisements in its programs like free television channels so they are same in this sense.... cable tv does not have this advantage
    E. Irrelevant

    factor26 Rising GMAT Star Default Avatar
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    Post Mon Feb 13, 2012 5:52 pm
    thank you for your insight - but can someone explain the question with a little more detail?

    sachindia Really wants to Beat The GMAT! Default Avatar
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    Post Mon Sep 10, 2012 9:08 am
    Quote:
    but can someone explain the question with a little more detail?
    Quote:
    I'm having some trouble grasping the question answers here and the passage itself as well. can someone please break down, in detail, this question for me? Much appreciated thanks all!
    Could somebody please help..

    _________________
    Regards,
    Sach

    everything's eventual Really wants to Beat The GMAT! Default Avatar
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    Post Mon Sep 10, 2012 8:10 pm
    Hello there....I will try and make it as simple as possible.

    Lets discuss the passage first :

    The cable-television spokesperson is trying to promote cable television over "free television". He says that " free television" is not really free because consumers end up paying for the costly advertising. Based on this argument, he says that subscriptions to cable - television are a bargain and that consumers should go for them.

    Now we have to basically weaken this argument. What comes to your mind first while analyzing this question stem? What if as much advertising is present on cable television as on free television? Then consumers end up paying for the subscriptions as well as for the advertising.

    Now scan the options and you will see that D) says exactly that.

    We will anyway check all options :

    A) - Consumers who do not own television sets are not relevant as they cannot have free television and cannot subscribe to cable TV.

    B) - This doesn't do anything to the argument. This option says that there will be access to some public-television channels which do not accept advertising. There is no weakening for sure. If it was a strengthening question then this option could be one candidate.

    C) - The spokesperson never used quality of picture in his argument. His argument is based on pricing.

    D) - This is the answer.

    E) - This option doesnt mention anything about advertising in cable television.

    I hope that I have been able to convey my understanding properly.

    Thanked by: sachindia

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