Reporter Argent Antiques has misled

Reporter: Argent Antiques has misled its clients by promoting some Chinese porcelain figurines as rare when in fact those pieces are relatively commonplace.

Argent dealer: That is absurd! Argent Antiques is the largest antique dealer in the country. We authenticate the figurines we sell through a nationally recognized firm.

The Argent dealer ’s reply is most vulnerable to the criticism that it

(A) exaggerates the reporter’s claims in order to make them appear absurd

(B) accuses the reporter of bias but presents no evidence to support that accusation

(C) fails to establish that other antique dealers do not also authenticate the figurines those dealers sell

(D) lists strengths of Argent Antiques while failing to address the reporter’s charge

(E) provides no definition for the inherently vague phrase ‘rare’


The best answer is D.  Argent antiques has been accused of promoting some pieces as rare when they are, in fact, common.  The dealer’s reply does not directly address this accusation, rather it only lists the company’s strengths.