PrepTest 135, Section 1, Question 3
Millions of homes are now using low-energy lighting,(47 more words not shown)
Information about which one of(10 more words not shown)
- Athe actual cost(11 more words not shown)
- Bthe profits the(11 more words not shown)
- Cthe specific cost(11 more words not shown)
- Dthe opinion of(9 more words not shown)
- Ethe average life(11 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Even if these bulbs save money eventually, can everyone afford to buy them now?
The argument admits that low-wattage bulbs cost more up front, then tells everyone to use them because their advantages are enormous. I'd want to know what those advantages actually amount to. Imagine a bulb costs twice as much but lasts ten times as long. Over that period, buying replacements could cost much less. That's a real benefit, although someone who can't afford the first bulb may still have a problem.
There are other practical questions too. How much electricity would I save? Does the bulb provide the lighting I need? How often will I have to replace it? Replacing bulbs is a hassle as well as an expense.
What we’re looking for
The question asks for the information that would be LEAST useful in evaluating the recommendation. Useful information could support the switch or undermine it. We're looking for the one subject that does little to help decide whether homeowners should use these bulbs.
Working the answers
- A
Operating cost matters. A bulb that costs much less to run could make up for its higher purchase price. If the savings are tiny, the case for switching is less compelling. Knowing the comparison helps us evaluate the claimed advantage.
- BCorrect
The manufacturer's expected profit doesn't tell us whether the bulb is a good purchase for the homeowner. A company could make a large profit selling an excellent product, or make little profit selling one that offers consumers little benefit. The recommendation concerns what everyone should use, not how much the lighting industry stands to earn.
- C
We know the bulbs cost more, but how much more? A small increase and a price so high that many households can't afford it present very different cases. The size of the initial expense bears directly on the recommendation that everyone switch.
- D
Current users' experiences can help us assess whether the bulbs perform well. If users find the lighting ineffective, that would give us a reason to question the alleged advantages. Favorable experiences could support them. Either direction makes the information useful.
- E
A longer life can reduce both replacement costs and the bother of changing bulbs. A shorter life could make the higher price even harder to justify. This comparison helps us evaluate the total cost and convenience of the proposed switch.
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