Critical Reasoning: Assumption Questions
The range of companies offering different versions of the same product is immense compared to what it once was. Because of this competition, many companies offer low quality products, preferring to sell more by demanding lower prices. To spend less, consumers buy the cheaper products which last for shorter periods of time, only to be disposed of and replaced by other cheap products. It can be deduced that companies that create products of an inferior quality do not contribute to the strength of the economy.
The argument above is based on which of the following assumptions?
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]Although this answer choice supports the conclusion, it takes the form of a new premise. However, we are not looking for support for the author's stand, but instead for the assumption that was made to reach that stand from the given premises.
Incorrect.
This answer choice presents a new premise about the factors affecting an economy. Yes, according to the author, creating inferior products is one of these factors, but this is irrelevant; what you are looking for is the assumption, which should explain how the author drew the conclusion based on the existing premises.
Incorrect.
If this answer choice were the author's assumption, he or she would not target specifically companies that make cheap, low quality products.
Incorrect.
Consumers' loyalty to a company's specific brand is irrelevant to this argument, which revolves around consumers buying a cheap product over and over again. Remember, you are looking for what the author must have assumed to reach the conclusion.
Superb!
[[snippet]]There is no data in the argument that actually links the production of low quality products to a negative effect on the economy. This cause-and-effect relationship must be assumed by the author in order to reach the conclusion.
