Logical reasoning PrepTest 130 · Section 3 · Question 20

Incorrect. Since we don't know anything about what actually increases profits for supermarkets since there's no discussion of the outcome of this practice, we can't support an answer about what supermarkets "should" do.

Incorrect. Similar to (A), since we don't know the outcome of this practice, we don't know if alienating customers in this way hurt business.

Incorrect. There's no indication as to whether customers buy some of these tempting products, or whether the alienation caused a drop in business that outweighed an increase in sales, so there's no way to determine whether this practice failed.

Incorrect. Another answer about the outcome on business! Without knowing how this practice affects profits, we can't pick this answer.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Illustration

Stimulus Summary:
The layout of supermarkets is intentional, with commonly purchased items in the back.
Effect 1 - Customers have to walk past tempting displays to get to the common items
Effect 2 - Customers are inconvenienced
Thus, this practice can alienate customers.

Answer Anticipation:
This question establishes a practice by supermarkets that is meant to increase their sales, but it also has a negative effect—customers are annoyed by it, citing the inconvenience of it as a reason they don't like supermarkets. However, note that there's no indication that this stops people from going to supermarkets, or that it hurts the bottom line of the supermarket.

Since we don't know anything about the outcome of this practice, we need to limit ourselves to what we know. The supermarkets do something to get people to buy stuff that they wouldn't otherwise, and this annoys customers.

Answer Explanation:
Finally, an answer that doesn't address the effect of this practice on profits! The practice in question was an attempt to manipulate people—it forced them to walk to the back of the store in an attempt to get them to buy stuff they didn't go to the store for. This alienated the customers—which is an unwelcome consequence, no matter the effects on business.

Key Takeaway:
Illustration questions need answers that don't move past the stimulus! Be sure that the answer you select sticks to the details and scope of the stimulus.