Correction: At 0:22 J.Y. mistakenly says that (E) is the right answer choice. (C) is the actual right answer choice.
Correction: At 0:22 J.Y. mistakenly says that (E) is the right answer choice. (C) is the actual right answer choice.
Summarize Argument
The publisher contends that his company must ensure timely shipping for exercise and fitness books as the new year approaches. He notes that his competitors are well-organized, and his company risks being outsold if it doesn’t match the competitors’ efficiency.
Identify Conclusion
The conclusion is the publisher’s directive that the company “must do whatever it takes” to ship exercise and fitness books on time.
A
The company should make shipping books its highest priority.
The publisher argues that shipping exercise and fitness books on time is crucial but not that it’s the "highest priority." The company can have higher priorities so long as it timely ships the books. Moreover, the conclusion only discusses shipping specific books, not all books.
B
By increasing its efficiency, the company can maintain its competitive edge.
The publisher doesn't make this argument. He concludes that shipping exercise and fitness books "on time" is crucial but doesn’t specify how to achieve it. The company might already be efficient, and the publisher could be reinforcing the need to maintain that efficiency.
C
The company will be outsold if it does not maintain its competitors’ high level of organization.
The publisher does not make this argument. The publisher concludes the company "cannot afford to be outsold," but doesn't claim the company will be if it doesn’t match its competitors' organization. The company may not need the same level of organization to ship books on time.
D
It is imperative that the company ship fitness and exercise books on time.
This is a good summary of the argument’s main conclusion. The publisher concludes that it is necessary, or “imperative,” that the company ship its fitness and exercise books on time because it cannot afford to be outsold by its competitors.
E
The company should do whatever is required in order to adopt its competitors’ shipping practices.
The publisher does not make this argument. The publisher concludes the company must ship exercise and fitness books on time, not that it must follow its competitors' shipping practices. The company may already have better shipping practices that ensure timely shipping.