Recent research confirms

[sameerballani]

Market Analyst: Recent research confirms that the main cause of bad breath is bacteria build-up on the tongue. The research also concludes that tongue scrapers, when used properly, can eliminate up to 40% of the bacteria from the tongue. As the effectiveness of tongue scrapers becomes more widely known, the market for less effective breath freshening products, such as mints, gums, and sprays, will decline significantly.

Which of the following provides the best evidence that the analyst's argument is flawed?
A)Some breath freshening products are advertised to eliminate up to 30% of the bacteria from the tongue.
B)Tongue scrapers have already been on the market for a number of years.
C)Many dentists recommend regular flossing, and not the use of the tongue scraper, to combat bad breath.
D)A recent survey shows that 94% of those who regularly purchase breath freshening products are aware of the effectiveness of the tongue scraper.
E)Some people buy breath freshening products for reasons other than to fight bad breath.

OA: Later
Please discuss

[gsinghal]

IMO D

Since the people who are purchasing mint and other stuffs already knew the benefits of using tongue scrapers, then also they are purchasing the mints and other stuffs clearly show that the analyst's argument is flawed.

Hope it helps.


Thanks
Gautam

[sameerballani]

But my point is that the case when the remaining 6% comes to know and lets say all of them stop using it then there will be a decline. Whether it is significant or not, we cant comment on that as we dont have any appropriate criteria to define "significant".

IMO D

Since the people who are purchasing mint and other stuffs already knew the benefits of using tongue scrapers, then also they are purchasing the mints and other stuffs clearly show that the analyst's argument is flawed.

Hope it helps.


Thanks
Gautam

[gsinghal]

only 6% of people if stopped using mints and other stuff will not make the markets for such products decline significantly because all other 94% are actually purchasing the stuff even knowing the benefits of the tongue scrapers. 6% not purchasing cannot outweigh 94% purchasing. So, the it will not let the market for the mints and stuff to decline unless some other thing comes into the market, possibility that is not shown in the argument.

Hope it helps.


Thanks
Gautam

[Sanjay2706]

IMO D is the right answer.

[bblast]

Gautam Singhal is spot on, sameer, its good to scrutinize these kind of questions post solution, Here, only E comes anywhere close to threatening D. However E has no reason to attack the conclusion.

E>Some people buy breath freshening products for reasons other than to fight bad breath. - if these people buy it for applying the products on their faces then they will still keep buying stuff even if its proved that its ineffective for bad breath, Hence this option has no bearing on the conclusion.

[sameerballani]

I even had some kind of issue with this "SOME". Because what if it is like that people using for any other purpose only represents 1%. rest 99% use it for bad breath. In this case it will affect the 99% portion.

Gautam Singhal is spot on, sameer, its good to scrutinize these kind of questions post solution, Here, only E comes anywhere close to threatening D. However E has no reason to attack the conclusion.

E>Some people buy breath freshening products for reasons other than to fight bad breath. - if these people buy it for applying the products on their faces then they will still keep buying stuff even if its proved that its ineffective for bad breath, Hence this option has no bearing on the conclusion.

[sanabk]

Conclusion: If scraper's effectiveness is known then market for breath freshening products will decline.

D talks about 94% people who buy breath freshening products are aware of scraper's effectiveness.

[amit2k9]

D it is clear and crystal.