Customers are aware that most of the faults that arise in their mobile phones are due to the excessive exposure of these phones to moisture or water. Accordingly, engineers at Talkit Inc. have developed a water-resistant phone that can stay underwater for at least 30 minutes without any resultant damage to either its hardware or software. However, since the manufacturing cost of the phone is anywhere between 25-30% more than that of an ordinary phone, the phone will be very expensive and as such not be able to find enough customers.

In the argument given, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?


A. The first is a reason provided to support a conclusion that the argument as a whole disputes; the second is an explanation that counters that conclusion.

B. The first is an observation that the argument disfavors; the second is the position that the argument seeks to establish.

C. The first is an observation that is not disputed by the argument; the second is a conclusion that is not supported by the first.

D. The first is an observation that is not disputed by the argument; the second is an explanation that the argument favors.

E. The first is a reason provided to support a conclusion which the argument as a whole disputes; the second is that conclusion.

OA C

Source: e-GMAT