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- Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:00 am
#24570
Complete Question Explanation
Weaken-CE. The correct answer choice is (B)
The stimulus argues that since many people buy microwave popcorn despite the fact that it costs over five times as much as conventional popcorn, it shows that many people are willing to pay a high price for just a little additional convenience. That is because microwave popcorn takes only three minutes to cook, whereas conventional popcorn takes seven minutes.
Answer choice (A): If more than half of popcorn purchasers buy conventional popcorn rather than microwave popcorn, it might suggest that more people like conventional popcorn than microwave popcorn. It does not, however, weaken the stimulus’ conclusion, which is that many people are willing to pay a higher price for a little additional convenience.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. The stimulus assumes that people buy the more expensive popcorn because it is more convenient. In terms of cause-and-effect, the diagram is as follows:
If it is true, however, that people prefer microwave popcorn because it is less fattening, then it will constitute an alternate cause to the cause-and-effect reasoning above, calling it into question. Thus it is the correct answer.
Answer choice (C): Even if the price of microwave popcorn reflects more about packaging than its content, it does not change the fact that the many people who buy microwave popcorn may do so for the additional convenience that it brings. People may choose to pay a higher price for microwave popcorn because of its convenience, regardless of whether its high price actually reflects the packaging.
Answer choice (D): This answer may actually strengthen the stimulus, since it eliminates a possible alternate cause to its cause-and-effect reasoning. The stimulus argues that:
Answer choice (E): Even if it is true that microwave popcorn is heavier than an equal volume of conventional popcorn, it does not change the fact that people do pay more for microwave popcorn by weight, and it does not call into question the possibility that many people are willing to pay a high price for just a little additional convenience.
Weaken-CE. The correct answer choice is (B)
The stimulus argues that since many people buy microwave popcorn despite the fact that it costs over five times as much as conventional popcorn, it shows that many people are willing to pay a high price for just a little additional convenience. That is because microwave popcorn takes only three minutes to cook, whereas conventional popcorn takes seven minutes.
Answer choice (A): If more than half of popcorn purchasers buy conventional popcorn rather than microwave popcorn, it might suggest that more people like conventional popcorn than microwave popcorn. It does not, however, weaken the stimulus’ conclusion, which is that many people are willing to pay a higher price for a little additional convenience.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. The stimulus assumes that people buy the more expensive popcorn because it is more convenient. In terms of cause-and-effect, the diagram is as follows:
- Cause
Effect
Microwave popcorn more convenient 
People pay a higher price for microwave popcorn
If it is true, however, that people prefer microwave popcorn because it is less fattening, then it will constitute an alternate cause to the cause-and-effect reasoning above, calling it into question. Thus it is the correct answer.
Answer choice (C): Even if the price of microwave popcorn reflects more about packaging than its content, it does not change the fact that the many people who buy microwave popcorn may do so for the additional convenience that it brings. People may choose to pay a higher price for microwave popcorn because of its convenience, regardless of whether its high price actually reflects the packaging.
Answer choice (D): This answer may actually strengthen the stimulus, since it eliminates a possible alternate cause to its cause-and-effect reasoning. The stimulus argues that:
- Cause Effect
Microwave popcorn more convenient People pay a higher price for microwave popcorn
Answer choice (E): Even if it is true that microwave popcorn is heavier than an equal volume of conventional popcorn, it does not change the fact that people do pay more for microwave popcorn by weight, and it does not call into question the possibility that many people are willing to pay a high price for just a little additional convenience.
