Critical Reasoning

Ernesto: Sales of VCRs—videocassette recorders—will decline in the next few years because the saturation level among U.S. households has virtually been reached.

Milton: Every year a greater number of popular feature films is released on cassette—at least 6 per month.Clearly VCR sales will remain constant, if not rise.

Which of the following is the best logical evaluation of Milton’s response to Ernesto’s argument?

(A) He cites evidence that, if true, disproves the evidence cited by Ernesto in drawing his conclusion.
(B) He points out a gap in the logic followed by Ernesto in drawing his conclusion.
(C) He cites an issue ignored by Ernesto and which outweighs the issues raised by Ernesto.
(D) He does not speak to Ernesto’s point because he fails to raise the issue of whether VCR sales may be linked to sales of other leisure-related products.
(E) He fails to respond to Ernesto’s argument because he assumes that nothing will significantly retard the sale of VCR’s,which was the issue that Ernesto raised.

(E) He fails to respond to Ernesto’s argument because he assumes that nothing will significantly retard the sale of VCR’s,which was the issue that Ernesto raised.

Hello! Why not A? Please, explain.

E says that "Milton assumes that nothing will significantly retard...". Though Milton does not assume anything, he clearly cites evidence, which disproves Ernesto's evidence in drawing his conclusion.

IMO E

IMO E

Hmm... I think i am looking at logical structure (choosing A), not logical evaluation. What is the strategy here?

Hmm... I think i am looking at logical structure (choosing A), not logical evaluation. What is the strategy here?

why not C?

I ll go for option "A".

@Airan,

can you post the answer with explanation.

Regards,
Badresh

what's the strategy to solve this? I know that OA is E, but cannot really absorb it.

Thanks

Milton addresses Ernesto's argument by talking about something that does not directly respond to his point. Ernesto talks about VCR sales and Milton talks about more VCR films released this year which will make people buy more VCRs. It may make people buy more tapes, but not necessarily more VCRs. I already own a DVD player, I would only buy a DVD if a good movie came out...not the whole player.

A is wrong because Milton's evidence would not disprove Ernesto's evidence because even though more VCR tapes might be sold, more VCRs themselves may not follow the same pattern.

B is also wrong because he doesn't point to a gap.

C is also wrong because he does not cite an issue ignored by Ernesto.

D is wrong because nothing is mentioned about other leisure-related products.

You are left with the answer...E.