Question

The business model of internet cafes is no longer capable of success in the United States. This is because the availability of internet has skyrocketed over the past several years. Free wifi is offered in most major coffee shops and stores. Additionally, Americans have mobile devices with plans that provide them with internet access. For those without devices, public libraries also provide computers offering internet access, free of charge.
The argument depends on which of the following assumptions?

• A. Public libraries are the only accessible locations where anyone can use the internet.
• B. Internet cafes do not offer any other services, aside from online access, that would enable them to be profitable.
• C. Major coffee shops are in direct competition with internet cafes.
• D. Internet cafes can still be profitable in other countries, just not the United States.
• E. Internet cafes were profitable five years ago.

Hint:

To identify a necessary assumption, look for a logical gap between the evidence and the conclusion. A powerful technique is the "Negation Test": negate the answer choice and see if the argument falls apart. If it does, you've found the necessary assumption.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is an assumption question. An assumption is an unstated premise that is necessary for the argument's conclusion to be valid. The argument concludes that internet cafes are no longer a successful business model because their primary product, internet access, is now widely available for free.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The argument's logic rests on the idea that since internet access is free and ubiquitous elsewhere, nobody will pay for it at an internet cafe. This logic only works if internet access is the *only* significant service that internet cafes provide for profit. If internet cafes offer other valuable services (e.g., high-performance gaming computers, specialized software, technical support, premium food and drinks, a unique social environment), then they could still be profitable even if their basic internet access is no longer a unique selling point. The argument ignores this possibility.
Let's use the Negation Test: If we negate option (B), it would state: "Internet cafes do offer other services, aside from online access, that would enable them to be profitable." If this were true, the original conclusion that their business model is "no longer capable of success" would be severely weakened or completely false. Because negating the statement destroys the argument, it is a necessary assumption.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The argument assumes that there is no other aspect of the internet cafe business model that could make it profitable, now that internet access itself is no longer a scarce commodity.