Critical Reasoning

1)Analyst: The pace of technological development brings a constant stream of new devices to the market, and many of them enjoy commercial success. But announcing new technology too soon after the introduction of a successful device can backfire. Once consumers hear about the new device, they may stop buying the one currently on sale. So, if a company wishes to announce the upcoming sale of a new device, it should wait until purchases of the old device have begun to decline.

Which of the following, if true, would best support the analyst's main assertion?
A)New technology often becomes less expensive after an initial surge in sales.
B)Media outlets, such as television programs and magazines, often report on the planned introduction of new devices while the sales of old devices are still strong.
C)Many consumers are unable to determine whether new technology is superior to current technology.
D)Surveys have shown that some consumers make only one or two technology purchases per year, whereas others make more frequent purchases.
E)Consumers tend to be loyal to technology companies whose products they enjoy using.


2)A newly discovered painting on wooden panel by Michelangelo must have been completed after 1507 but before 1509. It cannot have been painted earlier than 1507 because one of its central figures carries a coin that was not minted until that year. It cannot have been painted after 1509 because it contains a pigment that Michelangelo is known to have abandoned when a cheaper alternative became available in that year.

Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
A)No stocks of the abandoned pigment existed after 1509.
b)Michelangelo did not work on the painting over the course of several years.
C)The coin depicted in the painting was known to general public in 1507.
D)The wooden panel on which the painting was executed cannot be tested accurately for age.
E)Michelangelo's painting style did not change between 1507 and 1509









1)ANSWER B
2)ANSWER B

1)IMO B

A)New technology often becomes less expensive after an initial surge in sales. (argument do discuss about sales but not the price of new technology)
B)Media outlets, such as television programs and magazines, often report on the planned introduction of new devices while the sales of old devices are still strong. (Once consumers hear about the new device, they may stop buying the one currently on sale.--> some kind of media which advertise these technology)
C)Many consumers are unable to determine whether new technology is superior to current technology. (out of scope)
D)Surveys have shown that some consumers make only one or two technology purchases per year, whereas others make more frequent purchases. (Who knows how accurate are these surveys. They can be biased, and unrepresentative of the actual market conditions)
E)Consumers tend to be loyal to technology companies whose products they enjoy using. (Loyalty of consumer is Out of scope )

2) IMO B

As soon as I see Assumption question, Negation test comes in my mind.

A)No stocks of the abandoned pigment existed after 1509. (Avoid extreme answers on assumption questions)
B)Michelangelo did not work on the painting over the course of several years. (If we perform negation test on this option it will say : Michelangelo worked on the painting over the course of several years--> hurts the argument that "panel by Michelangelo must have been completed after 1507 but before 1509"..If negating statement hurts the argument, its probably the correct answer.)
C)The coin depicted in the painting was known to general public in 1507. (completion and being known to public are not related because some can complete a work today and if its known to people after 100 years , it does not mean work was completed then)
D)The wooden panel on which the painting was executed cannot be tested accurately for age.(Avoid extreme answers on assumption questions)
E)Michelangelo's painting style did not change between 1507 and 1509 (painting style is irrelevant )

1 clean B here,hinging on the condition that purchase of the old devices have started declining and hence a wait.

2. B here too.

1)

Conclusion: Companies should wait until old purchases slow BEFORE announcing.

Evidence: Consumers "may" stop buying current one if they hear announcement.

Assumptions: - Old purchases will slow, - This strategy is wise financially, - New devices won't bring more customers, - Announcement won't increase sales/attention for company

Question Rephrase: What would SUPPORT conclusion?

Prediction: More proof that making the announcement hurts sales.

A - doesn't relate to the announcement
B - CORRECT. Specifically supports the conclusion by showing that the announcement is made when people are still buying the old devices (which could be a bad thing).
C - doesn't relate to the announcement
D - doesn't relate to the announcement
E - doesn't relate to the announcement

2)

Conclusion: Painting made BETWEEN 1507 and 1509 (in 1508)

Evidence: Painting has a coin in it minted in 1507; Pigment abandoned in 1509.

Assumption: Michelangelo did not paint it in the months of 1507 AFTER coin was minted, or in 1509 BEFORE he gave up the pigment. - MUST have completed the painting in 1508 ONLY.

Question Rephrase: What's an assumption?

Prediction: See assumption above.

A - Post-1509 does not relate since Michelangelo gave up the pigment.
B - CORRECT. This supports the conclusion that is was ENTIRELY completed in 1508.
C - This does not relate to WHEN Michelangelo painted it.
D - Outside the scope of the argument.
E - The style is irrelevant. His style could have changed, but we are focused on dating a painting.

I have not got why the answer is B for the Q1?
I could not see any support of the assertion?
Assertion : Once people hear about launch of new tech device, they stop buying the older one.

VivianKerr wrote:1)

Conclusion: Companies should wait until old purchases slow BEFORE announcing.

Evidence: Consumers "may" stop buying current one if they hear announcement.

Assumptions: - Old purchases will slow, - This strategy is wise financially, - New devices won't bring more customers, - Announcement won't increase sales/attention for company

Question Rephrase: What would SUPPORT conclusion?

Prediction: More proof that making the announcement hurts sales.

A - doesn't relate to the announcement
B - CORRECT. Specifically supports the conclusion by showing that the announcement is made when people are still buying the old devices (which could be a bad thing).
C - doesn't relate to the announcement
D - doesn't relate to the announcement
E - doesn't relate to the announcement

2)

Conclusion: Painting made BETWEEN 1507 and 1509 (in 1508)

Evidence: Painting has a coin in it minted in 1507; Pigment abandoned in 1509.

Assumption: Michelangelo did not paint it in the months of 1507 AFTER coin was minted, or in 1509 BEFORE he gave up the pigment. - MUST have completed the painting in 1508 ONLY.

Question Rephrase: What's an assumption?

Prediction: See assumption above.

A - Post-1509 does not relate since Michelangelo gave up the pigment.
B - CORRECT. This supports the conclusion that is was ENTIRELY completed in 1508.
C - This does not relate to WHEN Michelangelo painted it.
D - Outside the scope of the argument.
E - The style is irrelevant. His style could have changed, but we are focused on dating a painting.

Many thanks Viviankerr, explanation was quite helpful