Critical Reasoning

Record companies defend their substitution of laser-read compact discs (CD's) for the much less expensive traditional long-playing vinyl records in their catalogs by claiming that the audio market is ruled by consumer demand for ever-improved sound reproduction rather than by record manufacturers' profit-motivated marketing decisions. But this claim cannot be true, because if it were true, then digital audiotape, which produces even better sound than CD's, would be commercially available from these same record companies, but it is not.

13. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument against the record companies' claim?
(A) When CD's were first introduced in the audio-reproduction market, prices were high and selection was poor.
(B) Record companies are reluctant to attempt commercial production of digital audiotape until profits from the sales of CD's have enabled them to recover their investments in compact-disc manufacturing technology.
(C) Some CD's have been so much in demand that consumers have experienced long delays in obtaining copies.
(D) Because CD's work according to principles very different from those that govern conventional recordings, commercial production of CD's requires new kinds of manufacturing technology.
(E) Any valid comparison of CD audio reproductions to digital audiotape reproductions must be based on identical performances played back on the highest quality disc or tape player.

Please explain.

B

IMO B

We need something to strengthen the argument against record companies' claim. That is we need something that would weaken record companies claim. B does exactly that.

IMO B
What's the OA?

A) When CD's were first introduced in the audio-reproduction market, prices were high and selection was poor.

--out of scope
(B) Record companies are reluctant to attempt commercial production of digital audiotape until profits from the sales of CD's have enabled them to recover their investments in compact-disc manufacturing technology.

This clearly attacks the argument given by the record companies that they are not profit motivated. This option is talking about recovering the amount put in the business rather than the consumer interest/demand. Hence, Correct.

(C) Some CD's have been so much in demand that consumers have experienced long delays in obtaining copies.

--out of scope
(D) Because CD's work according to principles very different from those that govern conventional recordings, commercial production of CD's requires new kinds of manufacturing technology.

-----out of scope
(E) Any valid comparison of CD audio reproductions to digital audiotape reproductions must be based on identical performances played back on the highest quality disc or tape player.

-----out of scope

poohv005 wrote:Record companies defend their substitution of laser-read compact discs (CD's) for the much less expensive traditional long-playing vinyl records in their catalogs by claiming that the audio market is ruled by consumer demand for ever-improved sound reproduction rather than by record manufacturers' profit-motivated marketing decisions. But this claim cannot be true, because if it were true, then digital audiotape, which produces even better sound than CD's, would be commercially available from these same record companies, but it is not.

13. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument against the record companies' claim?
(A) When CD's were first introduced in the audio-reproduction market, prices were high and selection was poor.
(B) Record companies are reluctant to attempt commercial production of digital audiotape until profits from the sales of CD's have enabled them to recover their investments in compact-disc manufacturing technology.
(C) Some CD's have been so much in demand that consumers have experienced long delays in obtaining copies.
(D) Because CD's work according to principles very different from those that govern conventional recordings, commercial production of CD's requires new kinds of manufacturing technology.
(E) Any valid comparison of CD audio reproductions to digital audiotape reproductions must be based on identical performances played back on the highest quality disc or tape player.

Please explain.

B

Generally in CR ,you can see a common pattern. Like X claims something and the author supports/opposes the claim.
Here the author of the argument, "opposes" the claim made by X(record COmpany)

R.Company Claim :
the audio market is ruled by consumer demand for ever-improved sound reproduction rather than by record manufacturers' profit-motivated marketing decisions

Author : He brings in a new scenario opposing the Record compaanies claim by intoduction if Digital tapes.

How can he strengthen more??

Since this one seems to be pretty simple case, i suggest go for a vertical scan of all options starting from A.

As a advanced test taker, u will have a habit of jotting down A,B,C,D,E on your paper and cross then when u feel its irrelevant or put a question mark if u feel they have "something to do/ HOLD on".

Here author ease the whole job. B is pretty much clear.

In my opinion D is the most logical one.