Over the last 25 years, the average price paid for a new car has steadily increased in relation to average individual...

Mehran on July 21, 2018

@smilde11 let's break it down!

The conclusion here is, "individuals who buy new cars today spend, on average, a larger amount relative to their incomes buying a car than their counterparts did 25 years ago."

The support for this claim?

"Over the last 25 years, the average price paid for a new car has steadily increased in relation to average individual income."

This is a Weaken question so we are looking for the answer choice that weakens this argument.

(E) states, "Sales to individuals make up a smaller proportion of all new-car sales than they did 25 years ago."

How does this weaken? It weakens by pointing out that while it may be true that "the average price paid for a new car has steadily increased in relation to average individual income" it is not necessarily true that the answer price paid by an individual has steadily increased.

Notice the premise simply says "the average price paid for a new car has steadily increased . . . " It does not say the average price paid by individuals for a new car has steadily increased.

We don't know who or what is buying these new cars. What if the vast vast majority of new cars are purchased by businesses or rental car companies?

Hope that helps! Please let us know if you have any other questions.

jingjingxiao11111@gmail.com on May 19, 2020

Hi wouldn't A also weaken it since more than 1 income earner in the household would make it the purchase of the vehicle less burdensome on the whole family? Thanks

Julia! on August 7, 2020

I was wondering the same thing!

Emil-Kunkin on October 13 at 09:40PM

A would not weaken, because the passage only is about individual income, not household income. It explicitly states its conclusion only relates to individual income.