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As the US increased the production of natural gas released from underground shale formations, creating more output of polyethylene, it was expected that makers of plastic products such as plastic trash bags, toys, containers etc., which use polyethylene as a raw material, would benefit from the same as a result of the decrease in the price of natural gas. However, makers of plastic products have instead reported no cost benefit as a result of the increase in the supply of natural gas.
Which of the following, if true, most explains the zero cost benefit as reported by the makers of plastic products mentioned in the above argument?
  • a)
    To discourage people from using plastic products, many countries have started levying heavy taxes on the plastic industry as a measure to increase the cost of production and the resultant price of plastic products.
  • b)
    The price of ethane, a component of natural gas and raw material for polyethylene has decreased due to the increased supply of natural gas.
  • c)
    The makers of polyethylene have increased their profit margins and hence are not passing on lower cost benefits to their customers.
  • d)
    It is predicted that plastic manufacturers will eventually realize cost benefits, once the production of natural gas is further ramped up.
  • e)
    Since the production of natural gas released from shale formation has increased, the demand for plastic products has decreased significantly.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
As the US increased the production of natural gas released from underg...
Argument Analysis
Pre-Thinking
Conclusion Clarification
N/A
Pre-Thinking Approach
To resolve the paradox, let’s see how we can select a scenario in which both the situations can be true without contradicting each other. To do so, we will look at the logical structure, focusing on the seemingly contradictory situations.
  • Potential explanations
    • Instance 1: It’s possible that even though the production of NG has increased and its price has declined, the cost of converting NG to poly has increased leading to no reduction in price of poly (raw material for plastic products) for PM. Thus, as the price of the raw material is same for PM, it’s possible that they have had no cost benefit.
    • Instance 2:  Even if the production of NG has increased and its price has declined, the poly makers may increase their profit margin resulting in the same cost price of poly for PM. 
With this understanding in mind, let's take a look at the option statements.
Answer Choices
A
To discourage people from using plastic products, many countries have started levying heavy taxes on the plastic industry as a measure to increase the cost of production and the resultant price of plastic products.
Incorrect - Irrelevant
The argument deals with no cost benefit as a result of the increased production of NG. Cost increase because of heavy taxes is not relevant to the argument. 
B
The price of ethane, a component of natural gas and raw material for polyethylene has decreased due to the increased supply of natural gas.
Incorrect - Opposite
Decline in price of ethane because of increased supply of NG should lead to a decline in price of poly leading to a cost benefit for PM. Thus, this option, if anything, compounds the paradox.
C
The makers of polyethylene have increased their profit margins and hence are not passing on lower cost benefits to their customers.
Correct
This option is written along the lines of our pre-thinking per explanation instance 2.  Same price of raw material implies no cost benefit to PM, who are the customers of poly makers.
D
It is predicted that plastic manufacturers will eventually realize cost benefits, once the production of natural gas is further ramped up.
Incorrect - Irrelevant
This option does not shed any light on the existing condition mentioned in the passage. It instead talks about a future, hypothetical situation.
E
Since the production of natural gas released from shale formation has increased, the demand for plastic products has decreased significantly.
Incorrect - Irrelevant
Decrease in demand for plastic products doesn’t explain why PM have not benefitted because of increase in the supply of NG.
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As the US increased the production of natural gas released from underground shale formations, creating more output of polyethylene, it was expected that makers of plastic products such as plastic trash bags, toys, containers etc., which use polyethylene as a raw material, would benefit from the same as a result of the decrease in the price of natural gas. However, makers of plastic products have instead reported no cost benefit as a result of the increase in the supply of natural gas.Which of the following, if true, most explains the zero cost benefit as reported by the makers of plastic products mentioned in the above argument?a)To discourage people from using plastic products, many countries have started levying heavy taxes on the plastic industry as a measure to increase the cost of production and the resultant price of plastic products.b)The price of ethane, a component of natural gas and raw material for polyethylene has decreased due to the increased supply of natural gas.c)The makers of polyethylene have increased their profit margins and hence are not passing on lower cost benefits to their customers.d)It is predicted that plastic manufacturers will eventually realize cost benefits, once the production of natural gas is further ramped up.e)Since the production of natural gas released from shale formation has increased, the demand for plastic products has decreased significantly.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
As the US increased the production of natural gas released from underground shale formations, creating more output of polyethylene, it was expected that makers of plastic products such as plastic trash bags, toys, containers etc., which use polyethylene as a raw material, would benefit from the same as a result of the decrease in the price of natural gas. However, makers of plastic products have instead reported no cost benefit as a result of the increase in the supply of natural gas.Which of the following, if true, most explains the zero cost benefit as reported by the makers of plastic products mentioned in the above argument?a)To discourage people from using plastic products, many countries have started levying heavy taxes on the plastic industry as a measure to increase the cost of production and the resultant price of plastic products.b)The price of ethane, a component of natural gas and raw material for polyethylene has decreased due to the increased supply of natural gas.c)The makers of polyethylene have increased their profit margins and hence are not passing on lower cost benefits to their customers.d)It is predicted that plastic manufacturers will eventually realize cost benefits, once the production of natural gas is further ramped up.e)Since the production of natural gas released from shale formation has increased, the demand for plastic products has decreased significantly.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2024 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about As the US increased the production of natural gas released from underground shale formations, creating more output of polyethylene, it was expected that makers of plastic products such as plastic trash bags, toys, containers etc., which use polyethylene as a raw material, would benefit from the same as a result of the decrease in the price of natural gas. However, makers of plastic products have instead reported no cost benefit as a result of the increase in the supply of natural gas.Which of the following, if true, most explains the zero cost benefit as reported by the makers of plastic products mentioned in the above argument?a)To discourage people from using plastic products, many countries have started levying heavy taxes on the plastic industry as a measure to increase the cost of production and the resultant price of plastic products.b)The price of ethane, a component of natural gas and raw material for polyethylene has decreased due to the increased supply of natural gas.c)The makers of polyethylene have increased their profit margins and hence are not passing on lower cost benefits to their customers.d)It is predicted that plastic manufacturers will eventually realize cost benefits, once the production of natural gas is further ramped up.e)Since the production of natural gas released from shale formation has increased, the demand for plastic products has decreased significantly.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for As the US increased the production of natural gas released from underground shale formations, creating more output of polyethylene, it was expected that makers of plastic products such as plastic trash bags, toys, containers etc., which use polyethylene as a raw material, would benefit from the same as a result of the decrease in the price of natural gas. However, makers of plastic products have instead reported no cost benefit as a result of the increase in the supply of natural gas.Which of the following, if true, most explains the zero cost benefit as reported by the makers of plastic products mentioned in the above argument?a)To discourage people from using plastic products, many countries have started levying heavy taxes on the plastic industry as a measure to increase the cost of production and the resultant price of plastic products.b)The price of ethane, a component of natural gas and raw material for polyethylene has decreased due to the increased supply of natural gas.c)The makers of polyethylene have increased their profit margins and hence are not passing on lower cost benefits to their customers.d)It is predicted that plastic manufacturers will eventually realize cost benefits, once the production of natural gas is further ramped up.e)Since the production of natural gas released from shale formation has increased, the demand for plastic products has decreased significantly.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
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However, makers of plastic products have instead reported no cost benefit as a result of the increase in the supply of natural gas.Which of the following, if true, most explains the zero cost benefit as reported by the makers of plastic products mentioned in the above argument?a)To discourage people from using plastic products, many countries have started levying heavy taxes on the plastic industry as a measure to increase the cost of production and the resultant price of plastic products.b)The price of ethane, a component of natural gas and raw material for polyethylene has decreased due to the increased supply of natural gas.c)The makers of polyethylene have increased their profit margins and hence are not passing on lower cost benefits to their customers.d)It is predicted that plastic manufacturers will eventually realize cost benefits, once the production of natural gas is further ramped up.e)Since the production of natural gas released from shale formation has increased, the demand for plastic products has decreased significantly.Correct answer is option 'C'. 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However, makers of plastic products have instead reported no cost benefit as a result of the increase in the supply of natural gas.Which of the following, if true, most explains the zero cost benefit as reported by the makers of plastic products mentioned in the above argument?a)To discourage people from using plastic products, many countries have started levying heavy taxes on the plastic industry as a measure to increase the cost of production and the resultant price of plastic products.b)The price of ethane, a component of natural gas and raw material for polyethylene has decreased due to the increased supply of natural gas.c)The makers of polyethylene have increased their profit margins and hence are not passing on lower cost benefits to their customers.d)It is predicted that plastic manufacturers will eventually realize cost benefits, once the production of natural gas is further ramped up.e)Since the production of natural gas released from shale formation has increased, the demand for plastic products has decreased significantly.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for As the US increased the production of natural gas released from underground shale formations, creating more output of polyethylene, it was expected that makers of plastic products such as plastic trash bags, toys, containers etc., which use polyethylene as a raw material, would benefit from the same as a result of the decrease in the price of natural gas. However, makers of plastic products have instead reported no cost benefit as a result of the increase in the supply of natural gas.Which of the following, if true, most explains the zero cost benefit as reported by the makers of plastic products mentioned in the above argument?a)To discourage people from using plastic products, many countries have started levying heavy taxes on the plastic industry as a measure to increase the cost of production and the resultant price of plastic products.b)The price of ethane, a component of natural gas and raw material for polyethylene has decreased due to the increased supply of natural gas.c)The makers of polyethylene have increased their profit margins and hence are not passing on lower cost benefits to their customers.d)It is predicted that plastic manufacturers will eventually realize cost benefits, once the production of natural gas is further ramped up.e)Since the production of natural gas released from shale formation has increased, the demand for plastic products has decreased significantly.Correct answer is option 'C'. 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However, makers of plastic products have instead reported no cost benefit as a result of the increase in the supply of natural gas.Which of the following, if true, most explains the zero cost benefit as reported by the makers of plastic products mentioned in the above argument?a)To discourage people from using plastic products, many countries have started levying heavy taxes on the plastic industry as a measure to increase the cost of production and the resultant price of plastic products.b)The price of ethane, a component of natural gas and raw material for polyethylene has decreased due to the increased supply of natural gas.c)The makers of polyethylene have increased their profit margins and hence are not passing on lower cost benefits to their customers.d)It is predicted that plastic manufacturers will eventually realize cost benefits, once the production of natural gas is further ramped up.e)Since the production of natural gas released from shale formation has increased, the demand for plastic products has decreased significantly.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice As the US increased the production of natural gas released from underground shale formations, creating more output of polyethylene, it was expected that makers of plastic products such as plastic trash bags, toys, containers etc., which use polyethylene as a raw material, would benefit from the same as a result of the decrease in the price of natural gas. However, makers of plastic products have instead reported no cost benefit as a result of the increase in the supply of natural gas.Which of the following, if true, most explains the zero cost benefit as reported by the makers of plastic products mentioned in the above argument?a)To discourage people from using plastic products, many countries have started levying heavy taxes on the plastic industry as a measure to increase the cost of production and the resultant price of plastic products.b)The price of ethane, a component of natural gas and raw material for polyethylene has decreased due to the increased supply of natural gas.c)The makers of polyethylene have increased their profit margins and hence are not passing on lower cost benefits to their customers.d)It is predicted that plastic manufacturers will eventually realize cost benefits, once the production of natural gas is further ramped up.e)Since the production of natural gas released from shale formation has increased, the demand for plastic products has decreased significantly.Correct answer is option 'C'. 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