Popcorn

This topic has expert replies
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 221
Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:24 pm
Thanked: 2 times

Popcorn

by mgmt_gmat » Fri Feb 12, 2010 1:18 am
In January of last year the Moviemania chain of movie theaters started propping its
popcorn in canola oil, instead of the less healthful coconut oil that it had been using until
then. Now Moviemania is planning to switch back, saying that the change has hurt
popcorn sales. That claim is false, however, since according to Moviemania's own sales
figures, Moviemania sold 5 percent more popcorn last year than in the previous year.
Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the argument against
Moviemania's claim?
A. Total sales of all refreshments at Moviemania's movie theaters increased by less
than 5 percent last year.
B. Moviemania makes more money on food and beverages sold at its theaters than it
does on sales of movie tickets.
C. Moviemania's customers prefer the taste of popcorn popped in coconut oil to that
of popcorn popped in canola oil.
D. Total attendance at Moviemania's movie theaters was more than 20 percent
higher last year than the year before.
E. The year before last, Moviemania experienced a 10 percent increase in popcorn
sales over the previous year.
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 777
Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 4:02 am
Location: Mumbai, India
Thanked: 117 times
Followed by:47 members

by komal » Fri Feb 12, 2010 2:31 am
Movie mania's claim = Change from coconut to canola has hurt sales.
author's claim = moviemania sold 5% more popcorn last year than in the previous year. (we have to support this)

A. Total sales of all refreshments at Moviemania's movie theaters increased by less than 5 percent last year.
Correct : It strongly supports the argument AGAINST moviemania's claim by stating that even when total sales of all refreshments increased less than 5%, they sold 5% more popcorn last year.

B. Moviemania makes more money on food and beverages sold at its theaters than it does on sales of movie tickets.
Incorrect : Movie ticket sales is irrelevant to the scope of the argument.

C. Moviemania's customers prefer the taste of popcorn popped in coconut oil to that of popcorn popped in canola oil.
Incorrect : This support's Moviemania's claim, it does not support the argument AGAINST moviemania's claim.

D. Total attendance at Moviemania's movie theaters was more than 20 percent higher last year than the year before.
Incorrect : Total attendance could be those ppl who dont buy popcorn at all. Hence there is no relation between total attendance and total sales.

E. The year before last, Moviemania experienced a 10 percent increase in popcorn sales over the previous year.
Incorrect : -------- Same as C --------