A Recent Study Has Concluded That, Contrary To The Claim Of Those Trying To Ban Cigarette GMAT Critical Reasoning

Question:A recent study has concluded that, contrary to the claim of those trying to ban cigarette advertisements altogether, cigarette ads placed on bill boards and in magazines have little to no effect on the smoking habits of the smokers who views the ads. The study, which surveyed more than 20,000 smokers and solicited their reasons for continuing to smoke, found that practically no one in the survey felt that these advertisements influenced their decision to smoke.

The study's conclusion is based upon which of the following assumptions.

A) people do not switch cigarette brands based on their exposure to cigarette ads on bill boards and in magazines.
B) Cigarette ads on bill boards and in magazines do not encourage non smokers to take up the habit.
C) Banning cigarette ads altogether will encourage people to give up smoking
D) people are consciously aware of all reasons they choose to smoke
E) People who decide to smoke do so for rational reasons.

Answer: D
Explanation
:

Given that a recent study found that billboard and magazine cigarette ads had little to no effect on smokers' smoking behaviours, contrary to those who want to ban them. The study of almost 20,000 smokers and their reasons for smoking indicated that few believed these ads influenced their smoking.

Let's approach the answer choices.

A: Incorrect
This option is not necessary for the study's conclusion. The study focuses on the influence of cigarette ads on smoking habits, not specifically on brand switching. Even if people switch brands, it doesn't necessarily challenge the conclusion that the ads have little effect on overall smoking habits.

B: Incorrect
Given that the study is solely focused on surveying smokers and their reasons for continuing to smoke, there is no basis to assume or discuss the impact of cigarette ads on non-smokers. As such, option B is indeed incorrect.

C: Incorrect
This option is not directly relevant to the study's conclusion, which is focused on the impact of cigarette ads on smoking habits. Whether banning ads encourages people to quit smoking is a separate issue and doesn't affect the conclusion drawn from the study's findings.

D: Correct
The study's conclusion is based on the assumption that people accurately understand and can articulate the reasons for their behavior, specifically their decision to continue smoking. This assumption allows the study to conclude that cigarette ads have little to no influence on their decision to smoke. If people were not consciously aware of all the reasons they choose to smoke, it could potentially affect the validity of the study's conclusion

E: Incorrect
This option is not necessary for the study's conclusion either. The study is concerned with whether cigarette ads influence smoking habits, regardless of whether the decision to smoke is rational or not.

“A recent study has concluded that, contrary to the claim of those trying to ban cigarette”– is a GMAT Critical question. To answer the question, a candidate can either find a piece of evidence that would weaken the argument or have 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.

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