Question

Although Apple products have continued to enjoy record-breaking profits worldwide, iPod retailers have recently reported that the numbers of the touch-screen devices sold have steadily decreased in the past two years. However, in the past two years, the numbers of iPhones sold have nearly doubled. Thus, more people are choosing to buy iPhones than iPods when selecting from Apple's products.
The reasoning in the argument is questionable primarily because the argument:

• A. assumes an inherent preference in people for one product over another.
• B. lacks specific numbers to bolster the conclusion.
• C. doesn't admit alternative explanations for the situation.
• D. suggests iPod retailers and iPhone retailers are one and the same.
• E. limits the scope of its argument to only two of Apple's products.

Hint:

When evaluating an argument, always consider whether other explanations or factors could account for the observed results.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the flaw in the argument.
The argument assumes that the increase in iPhone sales is directly related to a preference for iPhones over iPods, but it doesn't consider other possible factors, such as changes in product marketing, pricing, or customer demographics.

Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (A) The argument doesn't assume an inherent preference for one product over the other, but it assumes the cause of the sales difference is iPhone preference.
- (B) While lacking specific numbers is a concern, the main issue is the failure to consider alternative explanations for the trend.
- (C) The argument doesn't explore other possible reasons for the shift in sales, such as marketing, pricing, or availability, which makes this the best answer.
- (D) The argument doesn't imply that iPod retailers and iPhone retailers are the same; it's focused on product sales, not retail specifics.
- (E) The scope is not limited to just two products but focuses on a sales trend involving two Apple products.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (C) because the flaw in reasoning is the failure to account for alternative explanations for the change in sales numbers.