Question

Because of a rare type of fungus that killed off many cacao trees in Brazil, there was an unusually meager harvest of cacao beans this year. The wholesale price of cocoa solids and cocoa butter has increased significantly and is unlikely to fall in the foreseeable future. As a result, the retail price of chocolate is certain to increase within six months.

Answer 1

The statement that weakens the above argument is that most chocolate in stores is manufactured from Kuku that was purchased two years earlier.

Option: (E)

Step-by-step explanation:

• It is clear from the narration of the case that it is being expected that the price of cocoa would rice in the next six months.
• But the statement that clarifies that the chocolates in stock now are manufactured from the cocoa that was purchased two years earlier simply ascertains the possibility that there is a stock of cocoa now left that would last for another two years.
• This possibility defies the argument stated in the narration.