GMAT Focus EditionVerbal ReasoningMedium
A local coffee shop owner observes that sales of classic literature have significantly increased during the past three months. The owner attributes this rise to a new 'Quiet Reading Corner' implemented in the shop, believing it encourages customers to relax and read. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the owner's conclusion about the 'Quiet Reading Corner'?
- AThe 'Quiet Reading Corner' is often occupied by customers using laptops, not reading physical books.
- BThe city library, located across the street, closed for renovations two months ago.
- CSales of other merchandise in the coffee shop, such as branded mugs, have not increased.
- DA national book club recently selected a classic novel, leading to a surge in its popularity.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The city library, located across the street, closed for renovations two months ago.
The owner attributes the increase in classic literature sales to the 'Quiet Reading Corner'. Option A introduces a strong alternative cause: the closure of the city library. If the library, a primary source of books, closed, then people might be buying books from the coffee shop as an alternative, completely unrelated to the 'Quiet Reading Corner'. This weakens the owner's causal conclusion.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This suggests the corner isn't used for physical reading, but doesn't provide an alternative *reason for the increased sales* of classic literature.
- C. Sales of mugs are unrelated to classic literature sales and don't weaken the specific causal link between the reading corner and book sales.
- D. This could explain an increase in sales for *one* classic novel, but the question states 'classic literature' (plural) and doesn't fully account for the broader increase.
Alternative Cause for Observed Effect
To weaken a causal claim, identify another plausible factor that could be responsible for the observed effect, thus casting doubt on the proposed cause.
- Focus on the 'cause' and 'effect' identified in the argument.
- Look for external or unconsidered factors.
- The alternative cause must be capable of producing the observed effect.
Memory trick: It wasn't the lucky charm, it was the extra practice!