There are far fewer independent bookstores

GMATGuruNY wrote:

lheiannie07 wrote:There are far fewer independent bookstores than there were 20 years ago, largely because chain bookstores prospered and multiplied during that time. Thus, chain bookstores succes has been to the detriment of book consumers, for the shortage of independent bookstores has prevented the variety of readily available books from growing as much as it otherwise would have.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument relies?

a) book consumers would be better off if there were a greater variety of readily availble books than there currently is
b) independent bookstores typically do not sell the kind of books that are available in chain bookstors
c) the average bookstore today is larger than the average bookstore of 20 years ago.
d) the average bookstore today is smaller than the average bookstore of 20 years ago.
e) some book consumers value low prices more highly than wide selection

Is the Best Option really states the best argument? Can some experts explain?

Premise: The shortage of independent bookstores has prevented the variety of readily available books from growing.
Conclusion: The success of chain bookstores has been detrimental to book consumers.

An assumption is a statement that MUST BE TRUE for the conclusion to hold.
Apply the NEGATION TEST.
When the correct answer choice is negated, the conclusion will be invalidated.

A, negated:
Book consumers would NOT be better off if there were a greater variety of readily available books.
Here, the lack of variety caused by the success of chain bookstores has NOT been detrimental to consumers.
Since the negation of A invalidates the conclusion, A is an ASSUMPTION: a statement that MUST BE TRUE for the conclusion to hold.

The correct answer is A.

GMATGuruNY wrote:

lheiannie07 wrote:There are far fewer independent bookstores than there were 20 years ago, largely because chain bookstores prospered and multiplied during that time. Thus, chain bookstores succes has been to the detriment of book consumers, for the shortage of independent bookstores has prevented the variety of readily available books from growing as much as it otherwise would have.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument relies?

a) book consumers would be better off if there were a greater variety of readily availble books than there currently is
b) independent bookstores typically do not sell the kind of books that are available in chain bookstors
c) the average bookstore today is larger than the average bookstore of 20 years ago.
d) the average bookstore today is smaller than the average bookstore of 20 years ago.
e) some book consumers value low prices more highly than wide selection

Is the Best Option really states the best argument? Can some experts explain?

Premise: The shortage of independent bookstores has prevented the variety of readily available books from growing.
Conclusion: The success of chain bookstores has been detrimental to book consumers.

An assumption is a statement that MUST BE TRUE for the conclusion to hold.
Apply the NEGATION TEST.
When the correct answer choice is negated, the conclusion will be invalidated.

A, negated:
Book consumers would NOT be better off if there were a greater variety of readily available books.
Here, the lack of variety caused by the success of chain bookstores has NOT been detrimental to consumers.
Since the negation of A invalidates the conclusion, A is an ASSUMPTION: a statement that MUST BE TRUE for the conclusion to hold.

The correct answer is A.