Critical Reasoning: Conclusion Weakening Questions

Smithy: Our production lines are capable of producing a variety of products. Therefore, we should balance the manufacturing of digital cameras with that of other products.

Cooper: A recent consumer poll shows that 8 out of every 10 people in the country own a digital camera. By focusing our manufacturing resources on the production of digital cameras we will increase our profits.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Cooper's objection to Smithy's claim?

Incorrect.

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This answer choice actually strengthens Cooper's objection whereas you are required to weaken it. If a greater profit per individual sale can be earned, then it follows that focusing on the production of digital cameras is a logical thing to do.

Incorrect.

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This answer choice neither weakens nor strengthens Cooper's objection. The fact that some manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing their quality doesn't really change anything. Our argument is about which product Cooper and Smithy's factory should be focusing on. Look for an answer choice that weakens Cooper's objection or strengthens Smithy's claim.

Incorrect.

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This fact about the total average consumer product expenditure neither supports nor opposes Cooper's objection. Even though digital cameras are included, the subject of this statement is electronic products in general, so it cannot help us weaken Cooper's stand on the argument.

Incorrect.

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This answer choice strengthens Coopers point of view while you are required to weaken it. Cooper wants to produce digital cameras more than any other product. This statement justifies his wish as focusing on digital cameras alone would increase the company's trustworthiness in the eyes of the consumers.

Remarkable!

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This answer choice provides strong reasoning why focusing on the digital camera market will not be a very wise thing to do: the market is flooded, prices are low etc. Therefore, Cooper's view that focusing on such a market will increase profits is weakened by this statement.

Automated processes have drastically reduced the cost of manufacturing digital cameras, increasing the supplier's ability to earn a greater profit per individual sale.

Digital camera manufacturers are often accused of purposely reducing the quality of their products so that consumers are required to purchase new products every two years.

Electronic products, including digital cameras, represent almost one third of the total average consumer product expenditure.

Consumers often regard companies that manufacture only one type of product as being more trustworthy than those that manufacture a range of different products. 

The digital camera market is flooded with brands resulting in very low retail prices, and a fragmented market with only small portions available to each company.