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- Tue Jun 14, 2016 9:58 am
#26524
Complete Question Explanation
Question #24: Must Be True. The correct answer choice is (A)
The author argues that designer interaction with consumers is better than survey data. Why? Because data only tells the designer why a feature was given a low rating, but not explain how that features needs to be changed.
This argument is rather weak, because it fails to establish that designer interaction would actually tell the designer how the features need to be changed. Regardless, the question merely asks us to identify a proposition to which the reasoning most closely conforms, i.e. a proposition that must be true given the information contained in the stimulus. Prephrasing the correct answer choice would be difficult in this case, so proceed by the process of elimination: any claim that cannot be proven by reference to the information contained in the stimulus will be incorrect.
Answer choice (A) is the correct answer choice. Consumer input can contribute to successful product design: such a possibility clearly exists, given the information in the stimulus (if it didn't, the whole argument would make no sense). Notice the carefully qualified, narrow-scope language of this statement: possibilities are relatively easy to prove! Certainties—much less so. Compare answer choice (A) to answer choice (D): we can prove the former, but not the latter.
Answer choice (B) is incorrect, because this claim cannot be validated by reference to the information contained in the passage.
Answer choice (C) is incorrect, because we have absolutely no proof that designers aim to create features that will appeal to specific market niches.
Answer choice (D) is attractive, but incorrect. Although it is reasonable to suspect that the absence of consumer input may lead to suboptimal product design, we cannot prove that the car will have unappealing features. This language is too strong and cannot be validated with the information contained in the stimulus.
Note that if this were a Strengthen-Principle question, then answer choice (D) would be correct. After all, strong language is desirable in Strengthen questions ("Which one of the following principles, if valid, most helps to justify the reasoning in the argument?"), and the proposition in answer choice (D) certainly strengthens the conclusion that designer interaction with consumers is desirable and superior to survey data.
Answer choice (E) is incorrect, because no distinction is made between the external and the internal design components of cars.
Question #24: Must Be True. The correct answer choice is (A)
The author argues that designer interaction with consumers is better than survey data. Why? Because data only tells the designer why a feature was given a low rating, but not explain how that features needs to be changed.
This argument is rather weak, because it fails to establish that designer interaction would actually tell the designer how the features need to be changed. Regardless, the question merely asks us to identify a proposition to which the reasoning most closely conforms, i.e. a proposition that must be true given the information contained in the stimulus. Prephrasing the correct answer choice would be difficult in this case, so proceed by the process of elimination: any claim that cannot be proven by reference to the information contained in the stimulus will be incorrect.
Answer choice (A) is the correct answer choice. Consumer input can contribute to successful product design: such a possibility clearly exists, given the information in the stimulus (if it didn't, the whole argument would make no sense). Notice the carefully qualified, narrow-scope language of this statement: possibilities are relatively easy to prove! Certainties—much less so. Compare answer choice (A) to answer choice (D): we can prove the former, but not the latter.
Answer choice (B) is incorrect, because this claim cannot be validated by reference to the information contained in the passage.
Answer choice (C) is incorrect, because we have absolutely no proof that designers aim to create features that will appeal to specific market niches.
Answer choice (D) is attractive, but incorrect. Although it is reasonable to suspect that the absence of consumer input may lead to suboptimal product design, we cannot prove that the car will have unappealing features. This language is too strong and cannot be validated with the information contained in the stimulus.
Note that if this were a Strengthen-Principle question, then answer choice (D) would be correct. After all, strong language is desirable in Strengthen questions ("Which one of the following principles, if valid, most helps to justify the reasoning in the argument?"), and the proposition in answer choice (D) certainly strengthens the conclusion that designer interaction with consumers is desirable and superior to survey data.
Answer choice (E) is incorrect, because no distinction is made between the external and the internal design components of cars.
