Working Professionals Aged between 35 and 45 are more likely to Purchase the Latest Gadgets

Question: Working professionals aged between 35 and 45 are more likely to purchase the latest gadgets and are more likely to purchase it in larger numbers than are teenagers or young adults. Therefore the popular belief that teenagers and young adults spend more time with smart-phones, tablets, and other gadgets must be false.

The argument is flawed primarily because the author

(A) Does not specify the precise number of gadgets purchased by any demographic group.
(B) Discusses gadgets rather than more widely utilized tools.
(C) It depends on popular belief rather than on documented research findings.
(D) Fails to distinguish between “purchasing” and “spending time with”.
(E) Does not supply information about working professionals aged 35 to 45.

Answer: D
Explanation:

A GMAT Critical Reasoning section comprises of facts in the form of a short passage. In GMAT critical reasoning, the candidates are tested on their reasoning, logical and analytical thinking abilities. In this topic, candidates need to find the logically correct argument by eliminating the irrelevant arguments.

If we read the passage we get facts and conclusion from those facts. Let us check the facts and conclusion. This will make it easier for us to understand the options.

Fact: Working professionals aged between 35 and 45 are more likely to purchase the latest gadgets and are more likely to purchase it in larger numbers than are teenagers or young adults.
We can draw the conclusion that the popular belief that teenagers and young adults spend more time with gadgets like smart-phones, tablets must be false..

In the passage, we can clearlysee that the author mentioned purchasing for one age group. However, the author talked about spending time with those gadgets for the other age group. This proves that there is no connection between the two.

Now, let us check the options one by one:

(A) Does not specify the precise number of gadgets purchased by any demographic group. - The number of gadgets does not has any impact to the why the argument is flawed. Hence, this is incorrect.

(B) Discusses gadgets rather than more widely utilized tools. - This option has no relevancy with the passage or the options. The discussion of gadgets are not included in the passage. Hence, this is also incorrect.

(C) It depends on popular belief rather than on documented research findings. - The passage doesn't depend on belief but on Fact. As per the passage, Working professionals aged between 35 and 45 are more likely to buy gadgets. Hence, the statement is not dependent on belief, making this incorrect.

(D) Fails to distinguish between “purchasing” and “spending time with”. - The passage states that Working professionals aged between 35 and 45 are more likely to buy gadgets. However, it does not state that they spend time with the gadgets also. It might be that they are buying for someone else. Since, this age group is working professional, they have money to buy gadgets for their family members or friends. Hence, this is the statement that flawed the argument.

(E) Does not supply information about working professionals aged 35 to 45. - There is no requirement of any other information about that age group. The passage provides enough information to deduce the fact. This statement is insufficient.

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