A recent study of major motion pictures revealed that the vast majority of their plots were simply variations on plot...

Irina on July 16, 2019

@Ethan,

A recent study of major motion pictures revealed that a majority of their plots were simply variations on plots that had been used many times before. Despite this fact, many people enjoy seeing several new movies each year.

This is an EXCEPT question, meaning that every answer choice would contribute to an explanation of the apparent discrepancy and one correct answer choice would either weaken the argument or have no impact on it.

Let's look at the answer choices:

(A) is the correct answer choice. It argues that movies based on standard plots are more likely to be financially successful, but so what? We are only interested in whether people enjoy seeing new movies each year, we cannot equate financial success with enjoyment or lack thereof.

The rest of the answer choices explain the apparent discrepancy:

(B) explains that new movies are perceived as different even though they are based on the same basic plot;
(C) says that even if movies are basically reusing the same plot, given the amount of movies produced, moviegoers are unlikely to encounter movies based on the same general plot frequently;
(D) explains that even if the movies are based on the same general plot, the subtle differences in plot development make them enjoyable to moviegoers;
(E) suggests that modern movies are based on plots from 1940s and 1950s, meaning a new generation of moviegoers is not going to be bothered by a repetitive plot.

Let me know if this is helpful.