Logical reasoning PrepTest 132 · Section 2 · Question 22

Incorrect. While not definitive, losses from the product hurting the company suggests, if anything, it's important to try to save sales. That would argue for trying different means to do so, aligning with the argument.

Incorrect. The Manager already accounts for this in stating the marketing campaign isn't guaranteed to work.

Incorrect. While the Manager does concede that the campaign isn't guaranteed to work, that's not the same as it having no chance of succeeding. There's presumably some chance of it succeeding without a statement ruling that out, so this answer is out of scope.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Weaken

Stimulus Summary:
DCM: The new drug isn't selling. A marketing campaign might—might—increase sales, so we should try it.

Answer Anticipation:
Whenever a conclusion of an argument makes a recommendation ("should"), it's important to start thinking about whether that recommendation is justified, or whether an alternative course of action would be better.

Here, the Manager establishes that her recommended course of action—an ad campaign—should be done to try to save a failing product. She notes, however, that it's not guaranteed to work.

So it's possible that this tactic is throwing good money after bad. Maybe it'd be best to just let the drug fail and not waste any more money on it. Maybe another course of action would be more certain to increase sales. Maybe there's a cheaper course of action that should be tried. Any answer that establishes an alternative course of action in this case, or questions the need to do anything to save the drug, will weaken this recommendation.

Answer Explanation:
This answer choice provides direct evidence that the marketing campaign has some serious downsides. These downsides may outweigh the non-guaranteed benefit of the marketing campaign, thus weakening the call for one.

Key Takeaway:
When an argument concludes a recommendation, you should start by considering whether that recommendation helps achieve a goal. You should also consider alternatives—including doing nothing at all!

Incorrect. While this answer may suggest the new product is an outlier, it provides no evidence on whether this marketing campaign is a good idea.