Boldface Manhattan problem

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Boldface Manhattan problem

by nidhis.1408 » Thu Sep 06, 2012 5:29 am
Traditionally, video game manufacturers have been most strongly influenced by serious video gamers. Because devoted gamers have historically purchased the majority of video games, companies react to the desires of this market segment. Normally, devoted gamers crave speed and action; thus, most manufacturers continue to produce games with faster chips and flashier graphics. Unfortunately, faster chips and flashier graphics are no longer in the industry's best interest. The devoted gaming market is deeply stagnant, and it won't soon expand. To infuse new life into the video game market, manufacturers must simplify the functionality of their games. By doing so, current non-gamers will be attracted to join the ranks of video game fans. In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

a) The first is a situation that the author believes to be true; the second offers evidence to explain this situation.
b) The first is a situation that the author argues should not continue; the second provides evidence that supports the author's position.
c) The first is a statement of fact that contradicts the author's position; the second is the author's position.
d) The first is a statement of fact that supports the author's position; the second is a consideration that weighs against the author's position.
e) The first is a prediction that the author believes should not hold in this case; the second is an assumption that weighs against the author's position.

This is a manhattan problem.
I am having problem with the conclusion and evidence section. I answered according to the rules of Boldface question- https://www.beatthegmat.com/boldface-questions-t61.html
but ended up with a wrong answer. I would really appreciate if someone answered this question with an explanation.
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

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by kanwar86 » Thu Sep 06, 2012 6:17 am
nidhis.1408 wrote: a) The first is a situation that the author believes to be true; the second offers evidence to explain this situation. (First statement is not a belief. It's a fact that manufacturers are producing games. Second statement is clearly not an evidence for that situation.)
b) The first is a situation that the author argues should not continue; the second provides evidence that supports the author's position.
(As author has said that manufacturers should simplify the functionality of games, the first part of this option is correct. The second part provides a premise (evidence) given by the author that the market is stagnant because of non addition of non gamers to serious gaming section. It seems to be correct.
c) The first is a statement of fact that contradicts the author's position; the second is the author's position. Incorrect
d) The first is a statement of fact that supports the author's position; the second is a consideration that weighs against the author's position. Incorrect
e) The first is a prediction that the author believes should not hold in this case; the second is an assumption that weighs against the author's position. Incorrect
I will go with option B)
Regards

Kanwar

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by TanveerKamal » Thu Sep 06, 2012 8:01 am
I think the answer should be C .

The first bold portion presents a fact and it contradicts the author's position.
The second bold portion is the author's position and he continues to talk about it in next few lines.

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by metallicafan » Fri Sep 07, 2012 11:09 am
+1 B

The author believes that the dynamic in the market won't be the same because the market is stagnant as a result of less interest in faster chips and flashier graphics.