PrepTest 138

Incorrect. While this answer does highlight a difference, it's not a relevant one, as it doesn't highlight why this would result in a different focus for TV execs. After all, you can still try to maximize your audience even if each person is going to see your show only once.

Incorrect. The stimulus compares TV and movie executives, not theater owners, so this answer is out of scope.

Incorrect. While this answer highlights that costs are higher for movies—a difference—it doesn't explain why TV executives focus on something other than audience size to maximize profits.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Facts

Question Type:
Paradox

Stimulus Summary:
Film - Profit is made when ticket sales exceed production costs, so movie execs want to maximize ticket sales
TV - TV execs don't focus on maximizing the number of viewers

Answer Anticipation:
This Paradox question asks us to explain a difference between film executives and TV executives. The primary difference noted—and the one we are tasked with explaining—is that movie execs focus on getting butts in seats, but TV execs don't focus on maximizing their audience.

It's noted that profitability for films is determined by the balance between ticket sales and production costs, thus driving these executives to focus on ticket sales, but the profitability of TV shows isn't discussed. Since we're tasked with explaining a difference between the two types of executives, we should find an answer that highlights TV having a different means of generating profits than maximizing audience, thus explaining the different focus.

Answer Explanation:
This answer highlights a relevant consideration for TV executives other than audience size. TV shows make their money primarily from sponsors, not ticket sales—a relevant difference—and sponsors care about targeting the right audience, not the largest audience. In bringing up a relevant difference explaining why TV execs would focus on something other than audience size, this answer explains the difference.

Key Takeaway:
Paradox questions frequently focus on similarities or differences. If you identify that the paradox is about an unexpected difference, the answer is likely to focus on a relevant difference; if the paradox is about an unexpected similarity, the answer is likely to focus on a relevant similarity.

Incorrect. While this answer does bring up a relevant difference between movies and TV shows, this answer doesn't establish what TV shows do make their money on, so it doesn't explain the different focus.