“Unlike other retail outlets, where items are purchased in any number of units the customer wants, in super-markets items are grouped in bulk packages. This bulk buying offers savings to the customer. The option to buy at wholesale prices by buying in bulk makes super-markets a practical choice for budget-conscious consumers.”
Which of the following is an assumption necessary to the author’s argument?
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When a conclusion calls something “practical,” check for a \textbf{cost–benefit} assumption: benefits must outweigh attached costs/inconveniences.
Super-markets have great buying power and lower overheads, so they can offer a greater variety of products than regular outlets.
Super-markets are more conveniently located and have better parking facilities.
The rise of super-markets has caused many small stores to close and thus eliminate competition.
It is economically wise to buy single items since bulk packages seldom offer significant savings.
The financial savings from purchasing bulk packages may outweigh the inconvenience of being unable to purchase in any number of units that suits the customers’ needs.
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The Correct Option is
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Structure the argument.
Premise 1: Super-markets sell in bulk packages.
Premise 2: Bulk buying gives savings.
Conclusion: Therefore, super-markets are a practical choice for budget-conscious consumers.
\Rightarrow Gap: Buying in bulk may be inconvenient (you cannot choose any number of units). For the conclusion to hold, the savings must outweigh this inconvenience. Step 2: Test options for the bridge assumption.
(A) Variety/overheads are irrelevant to the “bulk savings \Rightarrow practical choice” link.
(B) Convenience of location/parking is outside the argument’s scope.
(C) Market structure/competition is irrelevant.
(D) Contradicts the premise that bulk offers savings.
(E) Exactly bridges the gap: net benefit = savings – inconvenience \(\Rightarrow\) practical choice. Step 3: Conclude.
Assumption (E) is necessary for the argument to succeed.
\[
\boxed{\text{Option (E)}}
\]
