Critical Reasoning

Surveys in Domorica indicate that only 10 percent of Domoricans in their twenties read a newspaper regularly, while more than half of all Domoricans over thirty read a newspaper regularly. Although Domoricans in their twenties constitute a large proportion of the population, newspaper publishers nonetheless predict that ten years from now, the percentage of Domoricans who regularly read a newspaper will probably be no lower than it is today.

Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest grounds for the newspaper publishers' prediction?

A. The number of Domoricans in their twenties is less than the number of Domoricans over thirty.
B. The number of newspapers in Domorica has been gradually increasing over the past several decades.
C. The proportion of Domoricans in their twenties who regularly read a newspaper has always been low.
D. The surveys defined a regular reader of a newspaper as someone who reads a newspaper more than twice a week.
E. The proportion of Domoricans who regularly read a newspaper was higher 20 years ago than it is today.

OA: C
Source: GMAT Prep QP2

P1: only 10% ppl in 20s read a paper regularly
P2: > 50% ppl over 30 read a paper regularly
20's population large % of total Domoricia population

predict: 10 years from now, % who read a paper will not be lower than today.

A. # people in 20s less than # of people over 30
lets say # in 20's = 100 and # "over 30" = 1000
10% in 20s read paper that is 10 read paper
>50% "over 30" read paper that is >500 "over 30" read paper
10 years from now, these 100 people NOW in their 20s will still be part of the population but possible some older people in "Over 30" bracket majority of whom read a paper will not be there. assuming same reading rates among young people entering their 20s, overall reading rates will be LOWER than its today. So A kind of WEAKENS the prediction.

B. # papers in Domorica has been increasing. Unrelated to the % who read a paper regularly as Availability is not the same as Readability.

C. % in 20s in Domorica who read paper has always been low. Today, if greater than half of people over 30 read paper, most likely it follows that they picked up reading after reaching the age of 30. And author believes even though people in 20s who dont currently read a paper will pick up the habit after reaching 30. Thus overall % of people who read a paper will not be lower in 10 years. CORRECT ANSWER.

D.defintion of regular reader OUT OF SCOPE to solve this argument.

E. % of Domoricans who read paper was higher 20 years ago than today. It follows that % has been declining and in 10 years from now, the % will fall lower still. hence this WEAKENS the PREDICTION.

Ans C

A. The number of Domoricans in their twenties is less than the number of Domoricans over thirty.
B. The number of newspapers in Domorica has been gradually increasing over the past several decades.
C. The proportion of Domoricans in their twenties who regularly read a newspaper has always been low.
D. The surveys defined a regular reader of a newspaper as someone who reads a newspaper more than twice a week.
E. The proportion of Domoricans who regularly read a newspaper was higher 20 years ago than it is today

B and D - Out of scope
E - Weakens + partially irrelevant. With a 20 years old trend you can't really predict the trend after 10 years. Even the number of years is not equal to look for a pattern.
A - It gives the present statistic and says nothing about the state after 10 years.
C - It gives a definite recurring trend. Hence it is the Answer !