Market Analyst: Recent research confirms that the main cause of bad breath is bacteria build-up on the tongue. The research also concludes that tongue scrapers, when used properly, can eliminate up to 40% of the bacteria from the tongue. As the effectiveness of tongue scrapers becomes more widely known, the market for less effective breath freshening products, such as mints, gums, and sprays, will decline significantly.
Which of the following provides the best evidence that the analyst’s argument is flawed?
Some breath freshening products are advertised to eliminate up to 30% of the bacteria from the tongue.
Tongue scrapers have already been on the market for a number of years.
Many dentists recommend regular flossing, and not the use of the tongue scraper, to combat bad breath.
A recent survey shows that 94% of those who regularly purchase breath freshening products are aware of the effectiveness of the tongue scraper.
Some people buy breath freshening products for reasons other than to fight bad breath.
OA is D confused between A & D. Pls can somebody explain
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- TP
Re: DIfficult CR
Saurabh Wrote:Market Analyst: Recent research confirms that the main cause of bad breath is bacteria build-up on the tongue. The research also concludes that tongue scrapers, when used properly, can eliminate up to 40% of the bacteria from the tongue. As the effectiveness of tongue scrapers becomes more widely known, the market for less effective breath freshening products, such as mints, gums, and sprays, will decline significantly.
Which of the following provides the best evidence that the analyst’s argument is flawed?
Some breath freshening products are advertised to eliminate up to 30% of the bacteria from the tongue.
Tongue scrapers have already been on the market for a number of years.
Many dentists recommend regular flossing, and not the use of the tongue scraper, to combat bad breath.
A recent survey shows that 94% of those who regularly purchase breath freshening products are aware of the effectiveness of the tongue scraper.
Some people buy breath freshening products for reasons other than to fight bad breath.
OA is D confused between A & D. Pls can somebody explain
The argument concludes that if people become more aware of the effectiveness of tongue scrapers, market for breath freshening products will reduce. 'D' correctly points to a flaw in the argument - Most (94%) people already knew of the effectiveness of the tongue scraper and it did not affect their decision to
buy breath freshening products.
- Guest
Hi Saurabh,
This question is asking to weaken the conclusion.
The conclusion of the analyst is " the market for LESS EFFECTIVE breath freshening products, such as mints, gums, and sprays, will decline significantly"
His conlusion is based on the premise of a Reseach , which talks about eliminating 40% bacteria.
The analyst in making his conclusion makes the following assumption
1. The other freshening proucts dont eliminate as much bacteria as tough scrappers
2. People have become aware of this fact only after this Research
3. People will consider this research to be accurate.
There can be many assumptions, but I have listed some major ones.
in order to weaken the conclusion either we have to prove that his Assumption is flawed or introduce a counter premise
Now let us look at answer choices:
A:It says some freshening products reduce upto 30% ... ( this actually is stengthening the conclusion, as TOUGH scrapper is elimintaing 40%,so people would prefer tough scrapper as the analyst has concluded)
B.Tongue scrapers have already been on the market for a number of years. [ This is not adding any value to the conclusion]
C:Many dentists recommend regular flossing, and not the use of the tongue scraper, to combat bad breath.[ This does
weaken the conclusion but the use of limiting word like MANY reduces its weakening value ]
D: A recent survey shows that 94% of those who regularly purchase breath freshening products are aware of the effectiveness of the tongue scraper. [ This weakens the argument as it weakens the Assumption 2 made earlier. This statement says that people already knew about the benefits of Tounge scrapper, so this research will not make much difference, the people therfore buying other products may be due to some other non listed factors ]
E:Some people buy breath freshening products for reasons other than to fight bad breath [ Here again SOME is a limiting word, it does weaken the argument by providing a new reason for buying other products]
The Question asks for the BEST EVIDENCE to weaken the conclusion. As D attacks the assumption and does not have limiting word like MANY, SOME etc, it would be the best choice for this question.
ANS: D
This question is asking to weaken the conclusion.
The conclusion of the analyst is " the market for LESS EFFECTIVE breath freshening products, such as mints, gums, and sprays, will decline significantly"
His conlusion is based on the premise of a Reseach , which talks about eliminating 40% bacteria.
The analyst in making his conclusion makes the following assumption
1. The other freshening proucts dont eliminate as much bacteria as tough scrappers
2. People have become aware of this fact only after this Research
3. People will consider this research to be accurate.
There can be many assumptions, but I have listed some major ones.
in order to weaken the conclusion either we have to prove that his Assumption is flawed or introduce a counter premise
Now let us look at answer choices:
A:It says some freshening products reduce upto 30% ... ( this actually is stengthening the conclusion, as TOUGH scrapper is elimintaing 40%,so people would prefer tough scrapper as the analyst has concluded)
B.Tongue scrapers have already been on the market for a number of years. [ This is not adding any value to the conclusion]
C:Many dentists recommend regular flossing, and not the use of the tongue scraper, to combat bad breath.[ This does
weaken the conclusion but the use of limiting word like MANY reduces its weakening value ]
D: A recent survey shows that 94% of those who regularly purchase breath freshening products are aware of the effectiveness of the tongue scraper. [ This weakens the argument as it weakens the Assumption 2 made earlier. This statement says that people already knew about the benefits of Tounge scrapper, so this research will not make much difference, the people therfore buying other products may be due to some other non listed factors ]
E:Some people buy breath freshening products for reasons other than to fight bad breath [ Here again SOME is a limiting word, it does weaken the argument by providing a new reason for buying other products]
The Question asks for the BEST EVIDENCE to weaken the conclusion. As D attacks the assumption and does not have limiting word like MANY, SOME etc, it would be the best choice for this question.
ANS: D
- jwinawer
- ManhattanGMAT Staff
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2004 1:15 pm
note: please use the first 5 - 8 words of the question as the subject header when posting questions.
The two responses above are right on the money. 30% (as in A) is still less than 40% (in the question), hence A does not weaken the conclusion. And D definitely weakens for the reasons provided above by the two posters. Nice work!
The two responses above are right on the money. 30% (as in A) is still less than 40% (in the question), hence A does not weaken the conclusion. And D definitely weakens for the reasons provided above by the two posters. Nice work!
- JonathanSchneider
- ManhattanGMAT Staff
- Posts: 370
- Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 3:40 pm
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