GRE Argument Topic 37

NOTE: The above topic has wording similar to Argument Task 165 of this Website. However, if you read carefully you will notice that the task instructions are different. Hence, it is very important to read the topic as well as its instructions completely before you start to write your response.

Sample 1:

The writer offers the reader some statistics that presume to prove a significant increase in the popularity of seafood dishes in Bay City's restaurants even though none of those eateries specialize in seafood. Some might mistakenly understand that seafood entrees comprise 30 percent of restaurant sales, and that would be impressive. In actuality, the sale of such dishes has increased by 30 percent, or roughly 1/3, over the past five years. If we know that restaurant A sold 6 seafood dishes each day five years ago, then we can calculate that the same restaurant sells 8 per day now. An increase of two dishes per day is not cause for celebration. Should we discover, however, that restaurant A sold 30 seafood dishes every day five years ago, a 30 percent increase would now be 40 dishes per day. Depending on the restaurant's overall volume, an additional 10 seafood dishes might be meaningful.

Another statistic employed by the writer relates to the domestic habits of the two-income families that comprise most of Bay City's population. Nationwide studies show that families in this demographic eat significantly fewer home-cooked meals than they did a decade ago. Significant is a subjective term. What is significant for one family may be trifling for another. The reader would be wise to apply the logic from the previous paragraph to this fact. In addition, the fact that they eat fewer home-cooked meals does not lead inevitably to the conclusion that they are not eating at home. These families may very well be purchasing prepared or frozen meals at the local supermarket. Counting on their patronage to ensure the popularity and profitability of a new restaurant would be a mistake without further evidence about their dining habits.

The same study cited in the previous paragraph reveals that two-income families express more concern about healthy eating. Expressing concern and taking some action are two widely different concepts. Many people are concerned about heart disease but continue to smoke. In the context of this passage, the writer would lead the reader to assume that seafood entrees are more healthful than other dishes. A fillet of haddock smothered in buttered bread crumbs or served with a cream sauce is no healthier for a dinner than a lean piece of beef cooked on the grill. The writer should examine the menus at the restaurants to determine the ingredients and cooking methods used for the seafood dishes. If the entrees are baked, steamed, or poached and served with lemon and fresh vegetables, they could be considered more healthful than dishes that naturally have more animal fat and cholesterol.

Finally, the writer claims that the current lack of a restaurant specializing in seafood in Bay City is certain to ensure the success of the new Captain Seafood restaurant. Was there a seafood restaurant in Bay City at one time? If so, why did it close? If a seafood restaurant closed in the city, which could account, at least in part, for the increase in seafood entrees' popularity in the other eateries. A closer examination of some of the facts and assumptions in the passage reveals that the popularity and profitability of Captain Seafood is not a foregone conclusion. It relies on evidence that easily could be obtained to support the writer’s claim.

Sample 2:

The arguer has drawn the conclusion that establishing a new Bay City restaurant that specializes in seafood would be both profitable as well as popular. The argument relies on two facts as evidence in support of the claim made. The first is that the consumption of seafood dishes in Bay City restaurants have increased over the past five years, but there are no restaurants in Bay City that specialize in seafood. The second fact states that the majority of the families in Bay City are two-income families and the results of a nationwide survey have indicated that two-income families are increasingly concerned about healthy eating habits and they are eating fewer home-cooked meals. However, the facts presented by the arguer are insufficient to prove that a new Bay City restaurant specializing in seafood would be popular and profitable.

The fact that there are no seafood restaurants in Bay City, despite the increase in the consumption of seafood, does not necessarily mean that a restaurant specializing in seafood would be popular and profitable. Firstly, the increase in consumption by thirty percent is insignificant in view of the fact that this has happened over a period of five years. Moreover, if seafood was indeed so popular among the residents of Bay City, then restaurants specializing in seafood would have come up by now. Moreover, the restaurants that serve seafood dishes would have diversified into separate restaurants for serving seafood dishes only, if there was a huge demand for the same. The very fact that these restaurants are continuing to serve seafood dishes in addition to other dishes prove that these restaurants are not making much profit from the consumption of seafood.

Additionally, it is likely that the increase in consumption is not only for seafood, but also for the other dishes being served by popular restaurants. People may be going to these restaurants because they like their preparation or the ambience. It is highly unlikely that they will stop going to their favorite restaurants to dine at a new restaurant that serves only seafood. Therefore, the new restaurant will have to compete with the other restaurants that are already popular in Bay City and which offer other dishes in addition to seafood dishes. The new restaurant may not be able to make profit unless it is able to build up a sizeable clientage, which seems unlikely in view of the above mentioned aspects related to dining in Bay City restaurants.

The arguer fails to provide substantial evidence to prove the relevance of the nationwide survey in the context of the two-income families residing in Bay City. There is no mention of the percentage of Bay City families who were a part of this survey. It is likely that the survey included families residing in big cities and metros and the type of lifestyle that they follow permits them to eat out regularly. It is quite possible that the families in Bay City are not too keen on eating out as opposed to their counterparts in bigger cities. Moreover, if the families are health conscious, then they would not like to eat in a new restaurant as they would doubt the quality of food being served and they would rather eat at the restaurants where they have been dining in the past. Therefore, the arguer fails to provide a link between the nationwide survey and the dining habits of the two-income families of Bay City in order to substantiate his recommendation.

The argument could have been strengthened if both the surveys had provided information related to the willingness of the Bay City residents to eat seafood. Moreover, the profits earned by a restaurant depend on the initial investments along with the expenses incurred in the maintenance of the restaurant. The arguer does not provide information related to such data. Therefore, the argument fails to convince the reader that a new Bay City restaurant specializing in seafood will be profitable and popular.