CR - Assumption fills logical gap

IMO E.

Negation of E weakens the argument. Other options don't affect the argument.

agreed (E) should be correct.

E for me

karthikpandian19 wrote:For the past few decades, Lamovia has been nearly completely self-sufficient in both cotton and clothing made from cotton. However, a recent shift in Lamovia's economy has caused per capita income to rise sharply, and, as a result, per capita demand for cotton clothing has also greatly increased. Therefore, because neither the amount of cotton needed to produce cotton clothing nor the amount of cotton grown in Lamovia is likely to change, Lamovia will soon be forced to import either cotton or clothing made from cotton. This is the conclusion

Which of the following is an assumption required by the argument in order for its conclusion to be valid?


(A) The total number of acres of land devoted to cotton cultivation in Lamovia will not significantly decrease. This is irrelevant to conclusion

(B) The increase in per capita demand for clothing made from cotton will not be counterbalanced by an increase in Lamovia's population. This is irrelevant to conclusion

(C) Lamovia's increased per capita income will lead to increased per capita demand for other products made from cotton. This just restates the argument, this is not an assumption

(D) Per capita consumption of clothing made from cotton in Lamovia is roughly equal at all income levels.

(E) The increased demand for cotton clothing will not be counterbalanced by a decreased demand for other products made from cotton.

It comes down to D and E for me. Both of these seem to be valid answers. However, if you do a negation test you soon realize that E is much stronger and if E were true the argument would not hold. Thus, the correct answer should be E. This assumption must be true in order to make the argument valid. Does this help?

Why not A?

If the cultivation area increases then more cotton will be produced and thus no need to import

confuse mind wrote:Why not A?

If the cultivation area increases then more cotton will be produced and thus no need to import

We are asked to find assumption. And I am not sure what you are try to do with the argument. 'Thus no need to import' - Are you trying to weaken the argument ? Option A tells that cotton cultivation area won't decrease.

This question is similar to the question related to chicken and grains.

(A) The total number of acres of land devoted to cotton cultivation in Lamovia will not significantly decrease.

This option states that the cotton fields remain same. We are not sure if cotton yield will increase per acre or decrease per acre. This options strengthens in one way and weakens the other.

(B) The increase in per capita demand for clothing made from cotton will not be counterbalanced by an increase in Lamovia's population.
This option tries to leverage the increasing cotton demand with increase in population. The argument doesnot give any relation between the two. It may be possible that increased proportion of population does not like cotton and thus, may not affect the demand for cotton products.

(C) Lamovia's increased per capita income will lead to increased per capita demand for other products made from cotton.
This option strengthens the arguments. Since demand for other cotton products inaddtion to cotton clothing increases, cotton has to be imported. A contender. But when negated, supports the conclusion.

(D) Per capita consumption of clothing made from cotton in Lamovia is roughly equal at all income levels.
This option goes against the premise. Thus, incorrect.

(E) The increased demand for cotton clothing will not be counterbalanced by a decreased demand for other products made from cotton.

This option, when negated makes the conclusion invalid.

E for sure !!!