analysis of argument 1
the following appeared as part of an annual report sent to stockholders by olympic foods, a processor of frozen foods.
over time, the costs of processing go down BECause as organizations learn how to do things better, they become more efficient. in color film processing, for example, the cost of a 3-by-5-inch print fell from 50 cents for five-day service in 1970 to 20 cents for one-day service in 1984. the same principle applies to the processing of food. and since olympic foods will soon celebrate its twenty-fifth birthday, we can expect that our long experience will enable us to minimize costs and thus maximize profits.
answer
the author argues, using facts from the color-film processing industrys downward trend in cost over 24 years, that olympic foods will be able to cut costs and thus maximize profits in the future. the author bases his conclusion on the generalization that organizations learn to reduce costs over time and, since olympic foods has 25 years experience in the food processing industry, its costs should have declined considerably. there are two serious flaws in the argument.
first, the argument uses a faulty analogy between the color-film processing industry and the food processing industry. analogies drawn between the two fields are highly suspect because there are many serious differences. while the film processing industry faces a relatively simply processing challenge, food producers must contend with contamination, transportation and farm production . thus, it is likely much more difficult to wring efficiency improvements in the food industry.
second, the author uses a sweeping generalization. the authors prediction of margin improvements relies on the optimistic assumption that olympic foods 25 years of experience will automatically result in operational efficiencies. the problem with this is that improvements in processes do not occur automatically over time, they require tremendous effort at continuous improvement and they require potential room for improvement. it is possible olympic food has limited room for improvement or lacks the managerial will to improve its operations. thus, there is no guarantee of improved operational efficiency over time.
the authors argument has two seriously flawed assumptions. the author could strengthen his conclusion by providing examples of how the company has learned how to improve its operations over 25 years and implemented those changes.
雅思听力的数字考点有哪些?
影响雅思听力成绩提高的因素分析
好的雅思听力习惯是怎样养成的?
雅思听力备考的五步策略
雅思听力备考的总体规划
雅思听力考试剖析:听力题型介绍
雅思听力魔鬼训练法:听写法
雅思听力需要注意的6个高分细节
雅思听力考试临场应对的三个策略
雅思听力的8大经典陷阱及预测方法
雅思听力考试的谨慎三步走原则
雅思听力基础不可忽视 “听历”最重要
雅思听力备考的四大技巧介绍
浅谈雅思听力考试中介词的妙用
雅思听力备考的三种状态及其应对方法
两周拿下雅思听力高分的备考方法
详细解析雅思听力中的同义转换原则
雅思听力四大题型的练习方法
雅思听力常见题型的练习方法总结
雅思听力考试时间如何分配?
解答雅思听力考题需要高效的审题方法
雅思听力词汇的两种基本备考方法
雅思听力选择题的解题经验分享
如何制定雅思听力备考方案?
雅思听力观点题的判断技巧
雅思听力考试时间如何分配?
雅思听力观点题的解题技巧分析
雅思听力备考的立体复习法
雅思听力单选题解析
雅思听力地图题常用词汇总结
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |