Question

Homeowners aged 40 to 50 are more likely to purchase ice cream and are more likely to purchase it in larger amounts than are members of any other demographic group. The popular belief that teenagers eat more ice cream than adults must, therefore, be false.

The argument is flawed primarily because the author ________________

• A. Fails to distinguish between purchasing and consuming
• B. Does not supply information about homeowners in age groups other than 40 to 50
• C. Depends on popular belief rather than on documented research findings
• D. Does not specify the precise amount of ice cream purchased by any demographic group
• E. Discusses ice cream rather than more nutritious and healthful foods

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Fails to distinguish between purchasing and consuming

The statement says that 'Homeowners aged 40 to 50 are more likely to PURCHASE ice cream...' and that '... teenagers EAT more ice cream...'. The statement discusses about the purchasing of ice-cream but concludes about the consumption. Thus, the writer's argument is flawed because she fails to distinguish between purchasing and consuming. Option A is the answer. The other options do not fit the context. B cannot be the answer because even if some other information was provided regarding the homeowners, it would still not clarify the basic conflict between purchasing and consuming. The added information would not influence anything else. Option C is flawed for a similar reason - it doesn't matter if the argument is based on popular belief or research findings as it still compares purchasing to eating. Options D and E are sort of redundant. Option A is the only option that befits the context.