A factory was trying out a new process for producing one of its products, with the goal of

reducing production costs. A trial production run using the new process showed a 15 percent

reduction in costs compared with past performance using the standard process. The

production managers therefore concluded that the new process did produce a cost savings.

Which of the following, if true, casts most doubt on the production manager’s conclusion?

(A) In the cost reduction project that eventually led to the trial of the new process, production

managers had initially been seeking cost reductions of 50 percent.

(B) Analysis of the trial of the new process showed that the cost reduction during the trial was

entirely attributable to a reduction in the number of finished products rejected by quality

control.

(C) While the trial was being conducted, production costs at the factory for a similar product,

produced without benefit of the new process, also showed a 15 percent reduction.

(D) Although some of the factory’s managers have been arguing that the product is outdated

and ought to be redesigned, the use of the new production process does not involve any

changes in the finished product.

(E) Since the new process differs from the standard process only in the way in which the stage

of production are organized and ordered, the cost of the materials used in the product is

the same in both processes.

想不通，文中说用普通的方法不能节约成本 A trial production run using the new process showed a 15 percent

reduction in costs compared with past performance using the standard process.

但是 C  选项 又说节约成本 While the trial was being conducted, production costs at the factory for a similar product,

produced without benefit of the new process, also showed a 15 percent reduction.

大家帮我解释一下，谢谢！

越来越糊涂了，这里面就是一种产品和新旧两种方法这三者的关系吗？

能不能再说的详细一些，谢谢！！关键是题目中说用新方法减少15%---相对于旧方法，，，，但是c 选项又说用旧方法也减少15%这个是相对于那个方法呢，是不是矛盾呀？

pay attention to the key point of the conclusion by manager who said

the trial process did save the cost.Really?If another product could be

made without trial process and meanwhile get the reduction in the cost

aspect,it is very clear that trail process did not save the cose.Then the

conclusion drawn by manager will be weaken.