The argument operates by saying that something (a long distance runner) that excels in neither of two factors (speed and endurance) tends to be be unsuccessful, but some succeed when they excel at just one of those factors and match a baseline level (in this case, the competitors’ average) for the other factor. The argument concludes that success isn’t dependent on excelling in both factors.

Mismatched premises and conclusion. (B) lists three factors (speed, bicycle quality, and endurance), and says that success comes from excelling in two (bicycle quality and endurance) while being average in the third (speed).

(B) compares two different contexts (short and long races), unlike the stimulus, which focuses on one context (retail success).

(B) concludes with a “most” claim, while the stimulus concludes that success is not dependent on excelling in two areas.

Mismatched premises and conclusion. While the stimulus compares two factors (convenience and variety), (C) compares a vague number of swimming strokes (”several”). The stimulus concludes that excelling in both factors is not necessary for success, but (C) concludes that if someone does excel in all swimming strokes, they will almost certainly be successful.

Mismatched premises. (D) compares two factors (firmness and flavor) in two contexts (baking and eating). In contrast, the stimulus focuses on two factors (convenience and variety) in just one context (retail success).

(D) claims that one factor (flavor) is essential for both contexts (baking and eating), which is different from the premise structure of the stimulus.

Mismatched premises and conclusion. (E) says that most plants that fail in two factors (ornamentation and edibility) are useless, but then says that some of these plants have uses beyond ornamentation and edibility.

The conclusion of the stimulus says that excelling in two factors is not necessary for success in a specific context, but the conclusion of (E) focuses is about categorization (that certain plants are not categorized as weeds).