Although video game sales have increased steadily over the past 3 years, we can expect a reversal of this trend in the very near future. Historically, over three quarters of video games sold have been purchased by people from 13 to 16 years of age, and the number of people in this age group is expected to decline steadily over the next 10 years.
Which one of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the argument?
(A) Most people 17 years old or older have never purchased a video game.
(B) Video game rentals have declined over the past 3 years.
(C) New technology will undoubtedly make entirely new entertainment options available over the next 10 years.
(D) The number of different types of video games available is unlikely to decrease in the near future.
(E) Most of the people who have purchased video games over the past 3 years are over the age of 16.
A. This strengthens the argument by showing that people aged 17 and older are unlikely to offset the drop in sales, reinforcing the concern about declining purchases.
B. While this might suggest waning interest in video games, it focuses on rentals, not purchases. Since the argument centers on sales, this point is largely irrelevant.
C. This supports the argument. As video games are a form of entertainment, increased competition from other media could contribute to declining interest and sales.
D. The variety of games doesn’t address the overall trend in sales. The argument is about total sales volume, not specific genres or types.
E. Correct. This directly challenges the argument. If most video game buyers are now over 16, then a drop in 13–16-year-olds is unlikely to explain declining sales—undermining the original concern.
