PT58, S1, Q14 - Theater managers will not rent

[mrudula_2005]

Hi,

So I did choose (D) but upon review I have some questions. Is (D) really a necessary assumption? Let's negate it. Theater managers do not generally believe that a film that is attractive to younger audiences is more likely to be profitable than other films. So what? It doesn't destroy the argument to me. The conclusion isn't based on a comparison or on an idea of maximizing profits - it's about getting theater managers to rent films that they think will generate enough total revenue to yield a profit. That's all...the film does not need to be more likely to be profitable than any others - it just needs to yield a profit. So how is (D) necessary, then? OR does it have to do with film producers "wanting their films to be shown as widely as possible" and thereby needing to maximize the appeal of their films - thereby requiring an answer choice showing that younger audiences are comparatively more appealing to theater managers than other films??

Also, what's off with (E)? Let's negate it. Films that have an appeal to older audiences sometimes do generate a profit for theaters that show them. I suppose the argument could still go on...so what if the older-targeted films sometimes generate a profit, it's still possible that there is something special and more attractive about films that cater to younger audiences than those that cater to the older audience that will more likely lead a film on the path of being shown more widely. Is this reasoning correct?


thanks!

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

I agree with your point and think that this would be a better question if the stimulus said something along the lines that theater manager will not rent a film if they do not believe that it is more (or maybe the most) likely to make a profit.

Then answer choice (D) would fit perfectly. And while I see your point about answer choice (D) I still believe that we can use process of elimination to rule out answer choice (E). We are trying to link the factors of profit with films attractive to younger audiences. Answer choice (E) severs the link between films attractive to older audiences and profits. But it does fail to indicated whether theater managers believe that these films are likely to make a profit. And that's a critical distinction and an element not missing from answer choice (D).

Does that help clear this one up?