The correct answer is (E).
(E) Weaken
Step 1: Identify the Question Type
The question stem explicitly directs you to weaken the argument. Identify the assumption and attack it.
Step 2: Untangle the Stimulus
Highlighted by the contrast Keyword [a]lthough, the author's conclusion is the prediction that "we can expect a reversal of this trend in the very near future." Never leave a vague term (i.e., "this trend") in your paraphrase of the conclusion. Therefore, the author predicts that video game sales will decline in the near future, despite a recent three-year surge. The author's evidence is that the number of 13- to 16-year-olds, historically the prime purchasers of video games, is expected to decline steadily over the next 10 years.
Step 3: Make a Prediction
This argument presents a twist on a classic LSAT argument pattern. A prediction conclusion typically predicts that the future will be like the past, with the built-in assumption that past trends will continue. In this argument, however, the author's conclusion predicts a divergence from past trends because the author foresees a changing demographic, a reduction in the number of young teens. Thus, to weaken this argument, you want a choice that indicates the recent three-year trend of increased video game sales will continue, despite the decline in 13- to 16-year-olds.
Step 4: Evaluate the Answer Choices
(E) correctly provides a reason to believe the recent three-year trend of increased video game sales will continue despite the projected decline in 13- to 16-year-olds. While historically those young teens bought most of the video games, this choice indicates that the recent three-year surge in sales was driven by those older than 16. Therefore, this generation of video game fans is continuing to purchase video games into adulthood.
(A) is a 180, strengthening the argument that video game sales will decline along with the decline in the 13- to 16-year-old age cohort.
(B) is largely irrelevant. It could arguably strengthen or weaken the argument depending on what the author actually assumes. Perhaps a decline in rentals indicates a decline in video game popularity overall, or maybe it indicates that people are choosing to buy instead of rent. Because this answer requires you to make further inferences, and could go either way, it cannot be correct.
(C) is another 180, adding another reason why video game purchases will likely decline.
(D) has no significant effect on the likelihood that video game sales will decline over the next 10 years. All this choice indicates is that the number of video game types (not the number of games themselves) will likely not decline. While this answer indicates one past condition will continue into the future, there is an extremely tenuous connection, if any, between this fact and the author's conclusion.
