A Major Network News Organization Experienced a Drop in Viewership in the Week GMAT Critical Reasoning

Question- A major network news organization experienced a drop in viewership in the week following the airing of a controversial report on the economy. The network also received a very large number of complaints regarding the report. The network, however, maintains that negative reactions to the report had nothing to do with its loss of viewers.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the network's position?

1. The other major network news organizations reported similar reductions in viewership during the same week.
2. The viewers who registered complaints with the network were regular viewers of the news organization's programs.
3. Major network news organizations publicly attribute drops in viewership to their own reports only when they receive complaints about those reports.
4. This was not the first time that this network news organization has aired a controversial report on the economy that has inspired viewers to complain to the network.
5. Most network news viewers rely on network news broadcasts as their primary source of information regarding the economy.

“A major network news organization experienced a drop in viewership in the week” – is a GMAT Critical question. To answer the question, a candidate can by either finding a piece of evidence that would weaken the argument or logical flaws in the argument. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. This topic requires candidates to find the argument's strengths and weaknesses or the logical flaw in the argument. The GMAT CR section contains 10 -13 GMAT critical reasoning questions out of 36 GMAT verbal questions.

Answer: A

Explanation: The GMAT's critical reasoning part evaluates a candidate's logical and analytical abilities. To arrive at a logically sound response, the applicant must employ reasoning and deduction skills.

Option A: The other major network news organizations reported similar reductions in viewership during the same week.

-Option A suggests that someone experiencing the same thing is not an option that will strengthen. However, for this question, this is the best option. This option states that reduction in viewership is a craze across the industry. It also says that the report had nothing to do with it.

Option B: The viewers who registered complaints with the network were regular viewers of the news organization's programs.

-Option B implies the fact that those who complained are regular viewers. This is not enough for us to say that complaints about the report are not responsible for the loss of viewers. Hence the data is insufficient.

Option C: Major network news organizations publicly attribute drops in viewership to their own reports only when they receive complaints about those reports.

-Option C states that many network news organizations may be doing. But this doesn’t strengthen the argument. It also says that if it is taken into consideration, then it shows that complaints about the report are responsible for the loss of viewers after all. Hence the data is insufficient.

Option D: This was not the first time that this network news organization has aired a controversial report on the economy that has inspired viewers to complain to the network.

-Option D implies that though it may not be the first time that viewers complained about a controversial report on the economy. It has no additional information about the viewership that had not dropped at that time. Hence, this strengthened the argument, but was incomplete.

Option E: Most network news viewers rely on network news broadcasts as their primary source of information regarding the economy.

-Option E is completely irrelevant.
Hence, option A is the correct answer choice.

Suggested GMAT Critical Reasoning Samples

• Unripe Lychee Fruit Contain a Compound called Hypoglycin GMAT Critical Reasoning
• Tiger Beetles are such Fast Runners that they can Capture Virtually any Nonflying Insect GMAT Critical Reasoning
• In the nation of Pelmenia, 20% of 18-year-olds are left-handed, GMAT Critical Reasoning
• The tobacco industry is still profitable and projections are that it will remain so GMAT Critical Reasoning
• The price the government pays for standard weapons purchased from military contractors GMAT Critical Reasoning
• In a taste test, participants were asked to try two versions of a cola GMAT Critical Reasoning
• The percentage of households with an annual income of more than $40,000 GMAT Critical Reasoning
• The cotton farms of Country Q became so productive that the market could not absorb GMAT Critical Reasoning
• The average hourly wage of television assemblers in Vernland has long been significantly lower GMAT Critical Reasoning
• Tanco, a leather manufacturer, uses large quantities of common salt to preserve animal hides GMAT Critical Reasoning
• Sol Citrus, a small orchard that produces only organic citrus fruit, has faced new competition GMAT Critical Reasoning
• Studies have shown that elderly people who practice a religion are much more likely to die GMAT Critical Reasoning
• Health officials claim that because the foods and beverages mentioned or consumed GMAT Critical Reasoning
• Monthly employee evaluations are an excellent tool for managers GMAT Critical Reasoning
• Engineers are investigating the suitability of Wantastiquet Pass as the site of a new bridge GMAT Critical Reasoning
• According to researchers, students exposed to a wider variety of GMAT question types fared better GMAT Critical Reasoning
• Physician: The Hormone Melatonin Has Shown Promise as a Medication for Sleep Disorders GMAT Critical Reasoning
• In order to reduce the number of items damaged while in transit to customers, GMAT Critical Reasoning
• A major health insurance company in Lagolia pays for special procedures prescribed by physicians GMAT Critical Reasoning
• In the first half of this year, from January to June, about three million videocassette recorders GMAT Critical Reasoning