gmatnmein2010 wrote:In the first half of this year, from January to June, about three million videocassette recorders were sold. This number is only 35 percent of the total number of videocassette recorders sold last year. Therefore, total sales of videocassette recorders will almost certainly be lower for this year than they were for last year.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the conclusion above?

Conclusion : Sales of VCRs will be low this year because sales in the first 6 months of this year is only 35% of total number of VCRs sold last year.

Just because sales of first half of the year is low does not mean sales of second half will be low as well. Any answer choice which restates this should be the correct answer. Lets see which one does that for us.

(A) The total number of videocassette recorders sold last year was lower than the total number sold in the year before that.
Incorrect : Comparison of sales between last year n previous year is irrelevant to the scope of the argument.

(B) Most people who are interested in owning a videocassette recorder have already purchased one.
Incorrect : Most ppl does not mean ALL ppl. Hence there is always room for sales. Eliminated.

(C) Videocassette recorders are less expensive this year than they were last year.
Incorrect : If VCRs have become less expensive it could also mean increase in sales. This would strengthen the conclusion. Ruled Out.

(D) Of the videocassette recorders sold last year, almost 60 percent were sold in January.
Incorrect : This strengthens the argument by stating that majority of VCRs sold last year were in the first month itself.

(E) Typically, over 70 percent of the sales of videocassette recorders made in a year occur in the months of November and December.
Correct : This undermines the conclusion by stating that sales in first half of the year is not good enough predictor of sales in second half of the year.