PrepTest 124

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen

Stimulus Summary:
Most problems with electronics happen during the manufacturer's warranty, so an extended warranty is generally not worth it.

Answer Anticipation:
This argument concludes with a soft recommendation against buying an extended warranty. At this highest level, this means we should anticipate an answer that establishes a downside (or eliminates a potential upside) of buying one.

Diving in a bit more, the argument relies on most problems developing during the manufacturer's warranty as a reason against buying the extended warranty. However, it doesn't discuss the scale of the problems that occur during different time periods. If those that happen during the time covered by the extended warranty are particularly serious or expensive, then it might be worth the cost.

But, as we started with, any reason that buying the extended warranty isn't worth the cost will strengthen this argument, so let's keep an open mind as we read the answers.

Answer Explanation:
This answer eliminates a potential upside of the extended warranty. If problems generally develop before it kicks in, and those that do develop during the warranty period are relatively inexpensive to fix, then it's probably not worth purchasing.

Key Takeaway:
When an argument makes a recommendation against something, the correct answer to a Strengthen question will generally provide a downside of that thing, or eliminate a potential upside of it.

Incorrect. If anything, the warranty being inexpensive is a reason that it might be worth it since the barrier to breaking even on a repair is lower.

Incorrect. First, if these warranties are generally purchased because of "special circumstances," then that suggests they're not worth it for most people, as (by definition) most people can't have special circumstances (they wouldn't be special if they applied to everyone). Second, the subjective reason that people buy these warranties isn't relevant to whether they're objectively worth it.

Incorrect. If anything, by expanding the time period covered, this answer makes the extended warranties more valuable, thus increasing the likelihood that they're a good value.

Incorrect. Why they're offered doesn't determine whether they're a good deal for consumers.