Q2 - Dumping is defined...Shrimp producers from Country F

[rk]

I can't seem to get this one right.
Can someone explain why A is the right ans and why E is not.
thanks,

rk

[ohthatpatrick]

Sure thing!

Question Type: Evaluate
(this is a rare question type, but it's essentially just Strengthen/Weaken/Necessary Assumption)

Task:
Pick an answer that is crucially relevant to the argument. The correct answer would strengthen if we answered it one way and weaken if we answered it the opposite way. The wrong answer choices aren't crucial. Their truth/falsity doesn't make a big impact on the argument.

Argument Core:
Conc: F is dumping shrimp
why?
Prems:
Dumping = selling in another country below prod cost
F is selling in G below prod cost in G.

Hmmm - at first glance, isn't this conclusion legitimate?

F is selling in another country below prod cost. Therefore, isn't F "dumping"?

We should realize that LSAT doesn't give us airtight arguments (except on some Matching questions), so there MUST be some flaw or wiggle room.

How could we argue that F is NOT dumping shrimp?

Well, what if the cost of producing shrimp in F is way different from the cost of producing shrimp in G?

Let's say that in F, it costs $1 to produce a pound of shrimp.

Let's say that in G, it costs $3 to produce a pound of shrimp.

If F sells its shrimp for $2/lb in country G, is it dumping?

No, it's profiting! So the premises could be true (F is selling shrimp in G for less than the production cost of shrimp in G) but the conclusion doesn't follow. F isn't dumping; it's actually smartly making a profit.

So the language shift in the argument is between the definition of dumping (selling below F's production cost) and the evidence given (F is selling shrimp below G's production cost).

Our answer choice should be something like "Is F's production cost the same as G's production cost"?

(A) Well, this is worded with vague language, but this gets right to the heart of the wiggle room. In order to say that F is dumping, do we use F's production cost or the production cost where they're selling, in country G?
Keep it.

(B) "harmful to economy" is instantly taking this out of scope. The conclusion we're debating is simply "Dumping or not dumping"?

(C) This almost sounds like what we wanted, but this compares the selling price of F to G. We need to know about how the production costs compare.

(D) Predicting the future? Out of business? Who cares? We're just arguing over whether F is dumping or not dumping.

(E) The definition of "dumping" is simply less than production cost. So it doesn't matter whether it's SLIGHTLY less or WAY less. It only matters whether it's less.

With (E), the real question still remains: WHOSE production cost are we referring to? F's or G's

Hope this helps.