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An assumption- loss in computer industry

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An assumption- loss in computer industry

by zoe » Tue Apr 19, 2016 12:14 am
Dear All, here is an assumption question:

Which of the following best completes the passage below?

The computer industry's estimate that it loses millions of dollars when users illegally copy programs without paying for them is greatly exaggerated. Most of the illegal copying is done by people with no serious interest in the programs. Thus, the loss to the industry is quite small, because .

(A) many users who illegally copy programs never find any use for them
(B) most people who illegally copy programs would not purchase them even if purchasing them were the only way to obtain them
(C) even if the computer industry received all the revenue it claims to be losing, it would still be experiencing financial difficulties
(D) the total market value of all illegal copies is low in comparison to the total revenue of the computer industry
(E) the number of programs that are frequently copied illegally is low in comparison to the number of programs available for sale

OA is B, mine is D.
in my opinion, answer choice B points out the loss is caused by most people who illegally copy program and won't buy, in a short, loss sales since most people won't pay, it seems support first sentence that "The computer industry's estimate that it loses millions of dollars when users illegally copy programs without paying for them is greatly exaggerated.", it's the opposite of the conclusion that "the loss is small" because "most" means 50% +,
while answer D, because the total illegally copied market value is low, no matter whether most(50% +)pay for it or not, the loss is low, so D is author believe in, that's why I choose D,

please point out where is wrong?

thanks in advance.

have a nice day.
>_~
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Source: — Critical Reasoning |
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by fabiocafarelli » Tue Apr 19, 2016 2:49 am
1. It would in my opinion be difficult to argue that this is an assumption question. The final sentence of the passage ends with BECAUSE. This means, first, that the conclusion is in the preceding part of the sentence, and second, that you must find a statement providing evidence for that conclusion. This is therefore a kind of strengthening question.

2. Option D is incorrect because the fact that the total market value of all illegal copies is low in comparison to the total revenue of the computer industry does NOT mean that the loss to the industry is quite small.
Thus, this option does not support the conclusion that the loss is small. After all, what is the total revenue of the industry? What is the total market value of all illegal copies? Up to what point could that value rise without ceasing to be SMALL? Note that option D is making a comparison implying RELATIVE figures; the passage, on the other hand, is talking about ABSOLUTE figures: millions of dollars, which the conclusion claims is an overestimate, the real figure being much smaller. And this is the claim that the correct answer must support.

3. You are right to be wary of MOST: in Critical Reasoning, this adjective and adverb is often a danger signal. Nevertheless, in this case it is justified, precisely because the passage talks about MOST OF THE ILLEGAL COPYING. And option B is right because it makes clear that most people who do such copying would not have bought the programs: in other words, the computer industry is not losing many customers or sales when such copying takes place. Since MOST of those who do the copying are those who are copying MOST, this is SUFFICIENT INFORMATION to support the conclusion that the loss is small.

4. Precisely because this is not an assumption question, you do not have to PROVE the conclusion. You merely have to find an answer that gives it some kind of support. Only option B does this.

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by yolo » Mon Apr 10, 2017 7:26 pm
d) could have been the ryt choice provided 'revenue' term was not there..coz revenue=expenditure+profit..so one may say com. is making less revenue but still having more profit...
e) this option can't be ryt coz of the fact one may make copy of 1 program only but the no. of copies may be huge..
c) out of scope..
a) it repeats the premise of the question again..
so its B)
Hope it helps...yolo
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by yolo » Mon Apr 10, 2017 7:27 pm
d) could have been the ryt choice provided 'revenue' term was not there..coz revenue=expenditure+profit..so one may say com. is making less revenue but still having more profit...
e) this option can't be ryt coz of the fact one may make copy of 1 program only but the no. of copies may be huge..
c) out of scope..
a) it repeats the premise of the question again..
so its B)
Hope it helps...yolo
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