GMAT Critical Reasoning Discussions

MBA
1113

Quote:
Originally Posted by gmatrahul View Post
I think the answers are:
1.C - after trial and error we will know that there are more than 1 options
2.C - if the division would not have performed still there would have been an increase in profit, so the conclusion is negated by this option
3.E - the critics are raising a question abt seriousness , as people usually join organizations to speak out for economic, political, or social interests of their members which might not be really a constrain in real life.

OAs

1.D
2.C
3.E


I dont get why 1 answer is D...
1114
gmatrahul Says
I dont get why 1 answer is D...


Premise: certain result will not take place unless a certain action is taken

Example: You will not pass the exam if you don't attend classes.

Now according the argument, if you pass the exam that means your prediction is correct. i.e. You have attented classes. But that may not be true, since result, passing exam, can be attributed to other reasons, like studying hard, or tutions (or cheating maybe). That means result, passing exam, is open to more than one interpretation.

now look at the options:A, B and E don't make any sense, so I'll discount them from the discussion here.

C: This argues about the quality of the argument depends on how many times that prediction is tried and tested. In general this makes sense, but argument in question doesn't suggest anything to support this.
e.g. predection in our example depends on 'How many students who have passed the exam in the past by attending classes', knowing this, probability of prediction might increase, but that doesn't make prediction full proof or true.

D: Distinguishing a correct prediction and effective action from an incorrect prediction and ineffective action is often impossible.

correct prediction and effective action: You pass the exam. You attend classes. This means, just because action is effective, you can't say your prediction is true.
incorrect prediction and ineffective action: You don't pass the exam even after attending classes. in the same manner, just because your action is ineffective doesn't mean your prediction is true. ( You may fail even after attending classes)

So this argument supplements original argument in the question.

Hope this helps.
1115
sandy_venkat Says
Even i thought it was E. can someone explkaing why it's D. D doesn't seem to be the right answer.

I think the answer is D. Ans E says that the sellers had profits unprecedented for the last 3 years, which might not be the case, cos the first and second years, it might be that the sellers sold off their stuff at low prices, and since the supply is low for the subsequent years , slowly the prices started increasing, and may be in their 3rd year, they hit their break even.
1116

If you have time, I would suggest you to go through, "GMAT CR Bible" from Powerscore. Its a good book for CR.

1117
kcnraju Says
If you have time, I would suggest you to go through, "GMAT CR Bible" from Powerscore. Its a good book for CR.


A few more CR questions:

Seven countries signed a treaty binding each of them to perform specified actions on a certain fixed date, with the actions of each conditional on simultaneous action taken by the other countries. Each country was also to notify the six other countries when it had completed its action.
The simultaneous-action provision of the treaty leaves open the possibility that
(A) the compliance date was subject to postponement, according to the terms of the treaty
(B) one of the countries might not be required to make any changes or take any steps in order to comply with the treaty, whereas all the other countries are so required
(C) each country might have a well-founded excuse, based on the provision, for its own lack of compliance
(D) the treaty specified that the signal for one of the countries to initiate action was notification by the other countries that they had completed action
(E) there was ambiguity with respect to the date after which all actions contemplated in the treaty are to be complete


In January there was a large drop in the number of new houses sold, because interest rates for mortgages were falling and many consumers were waiting to see how low the rates would go. This large sales drop was accompanied by a sharp rise in the average price of new houses sold.
Which of the following, if true, best explains the sharp rise in the average price of new houses?
(A) Sales of higher-priced houses were unaffected by the sales drop because their purchasers have fewer constraints limiting the total amount they pay.
(B) Labor agreements of builders with construction unions are not due to expire until the next January.
(C) The prices of new houses have been rising slowly over the past three years because there is an increasing shortage of housing.
(D) There was a greater amount of moderate-priced housing available for resale by owners during January than in the preceding three months.
(E) Interest rates for home mortgages are expected to rise sharply later in the year if predictions of increased business activity in general prove to be accurate.

The value of a product is determined by the ratio of its quality to its price. The higher the value of a product, the better will be its competitive position. Therefore, either increasing the quality or lowering the price of a given product will increase the likelihood that consumer will select that product rather than a competing one.
Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the conclusion drawn above?
(A) It is possible to increase both the quality and the price of a product without changing its competitive position.
(B) For certain segments of the population of consumers, higher-priced brands of some product lines are preferred to the lower-priced brands.
(C) Competing products often try to appeal to different segments of the population of consumers.
(D) The competitive position of a product can be affected by such factors as advertising and brand loyalty.
(E) Consumers perceptions of the quality of a product are based on the actual quality of the product.


Some people have questioned the judges objectivity in cases of sex discrimination against women. But the record shows that in sixty percent of such cases, the judge has decided in favor of the women. This record demonstrates that the judge has not discriminated against women in cases of sex discrimination against women.
The argument above is flawed in that it ignores the possibility that
(A) a large number of the judges cases arose out of allegations of sex discrimination against women
(B) many judges find it difficult to be objective in cases of sex discrimination against women
(C) the judge is biased against women defendants or plaintiffs in cases that do not involve sex discrimination
(D) the majority of the cases of sex discrimination against women that have reached the judges court have been appealed from a lower court
(E) the evidence shows that the women should have won in more than sixty percent of the judges cases involving sex discrimination against women
1118
A few more CR questions:

Seven countries signed a treaty binding each of them to perform specified actions on a certain fixed date, with the actions of each conditional on simultaneous action taken by the other countries. Each country was also to notify the six other countries when it had completed its action.
The simultaneous-action provision of the treaty leaves open the possibility that
(A) the compliance date was subject to postponement, according to the terms of the treaty
(B) one of the countries might not be required to make any changes or take any steps in order to comply with the treaty, whereas all the other countries are so required
(C) each country might have a well-founded excuse, based on the provision, for its own lack of compliance
(D) the treaty specified that the signal for one of the countries to initiate action was notification by the other countries that they had completed action
(E) there was ambiguity with respect to the date after which all actions contemplated in the treaty are to be complete

D


In January there was a large drop in the number of new houses sold, because interest rates for mortgages were falling and many consumers were waiting to see how low the rates would go. This large sales drop was accompanied by a sharp rise in the average price of new houses sold.
Which of the following, if true, best explains the sharp rise in the average price of new houses?
(A) Sales of higher-priced houses were unaffected by the sales drop because their purchasers have fewer constraints limiting the total amount they pay.
(B) Labor agreements of builders with construction unions are not due to expire until the next January.
(C) The prices of new houses have been rising slowly over the past three years because there is an increasing shortage of housing.
(D) There was a greater amount of moderate-priced housing available for resale by owners during January than in the preceding three months.
(E) Interest rates for home mortgages are expected to rise sharply later in the year if predictions of increased business activity in general prove to be accurate.

E

The value of a product is determined by the ratio of its quality to its price. The higher the value of a product, the better will be its competitive position. Therefore, either increasing the quality or lowering the price of a given product will increase the likelihood that consumer will select that product rather than a competing one.
Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the conclusion drawn above?
(A) It is possible to increase both the quality and the price of a product without changing its competitive position.
(B) For certain segments of the population of consumers, higher-priced brands of some product lines are preferred to the lower-priced brands.
(C) Competing products often try to appeal to different segments of the population of consumers.
(D) The competitive position of a product can be affected by such factors as advertising and brand loyalty.
(E) Consumers perceptions of the quality of a product are based on the actual quality of the product.

A


Some people have questioned the judges objectivity in cases of sex discrimination against women. But the record shows that in sixty percent of such cases, the judge has decided in favor of the women. This record demonstrates that the judge has not discriminated against women in cases of sex discrimination against women.
The argument above is flawed in that it ignores the possibility that
(A) a large number of the judges cases arose out of allegations of sex discrimination against women
(B) many judges find it difficult to be objective in cases of sex discrimination against women
(C) the judge is biased against women defendants or plaintiffs in cases that do not involve sex discrimination
(D) the majority of the cases of sex discrimination against women that have reached the judges court have been appealed from a lower court
(E) the evidence shows that the women should have won in more than sixty percent of the judges cases involving sex discrimination against women
B


Regards


Vikas
1119

Imo:-
1.c
2.a.
3.e.
4.c.

1120
Regards


Vikas

Imo:-
1.c
2.a.
3.e.
4.c.
1121
A few more CR questions:

Seven countries signed a treaty binding each of them to perform specified actions on a certain fixed date, with the actions of each conditional on simultaneous action taken by the other countries. Each country was also to notify the six other countries when it had completed its action.
The simultaneous-action provision of the treaty leaves open the possibility that
(A) the compliance date was subject to postponement, according to the terms of the treaty
(B) one of the countries might not be required to make any changes or take any steps in order to comply with the treaty, whereas all the other countries are so required
(C) each country might have a well-founded excuse, based on the provision, for its own lack of compliance
(D) the treaty specified that the signal for one of the countries to initiate action was notification by the other countries that they had completed action
(E) there was ambiguity with respect to the date after which all actions contemplated in the treaty are to be complete


In January there was a large drop in the number of new houses sold, because interest rates for mortgages were falling and many consumers were waiting to see how low the rates would go. This large sales drop was accompanied by a sharp rise in the average price of new houses sold.
Which of the following, if true, best explains the sharp rise in the average price of new houses?
(A) Sales of higher-priced houses were unaffected by the sales drop because their purchasers have fewer constraints limiting the total amount they pay.
(B) Labor agreements of builders with construction unions are not due to expire until the next January.
(C) The prices of new houses have been rising slowly over the past three years because there is an increasing shortage of housing.
(D) There was a greater amount of moderate-priced housing available for resale by owners during January than in the preceding three months.
(E) Interest rates for home mortgages are expected to rise sharply later in the year if predictions of increased business activity in general prove to be accurate.

The value of a product is determined by the ratio of its quality to its price. The higher the value of a product, the better will be its competitive position. Therefore, either increasing the quality or lowering the price of a given product will increase the likelihood that consumer will select that product rather than a competing one.
Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the conclusion drawn above?
(A) It is possible to increase both the quality and the price of a product without changing its competitive position.
(B) For certain segments of the population of consumers, higher-priced brands of some product lines are preferred to the lower-priced brands.
(C) Competing products often try to appeal to different segments of the population of consumers.
(D) The competitive position of a product can be affected by such factors as advertising and brand loyalty.
(E) Consumers perceptions of the quality of a product are based on the actual quality of the product.


Some people have questioned the judges objectivity in cases of sex discrimination against women. But the record shows that in sixty percent of such cases, the judge has decided in favor of the women. This record demonstrates that the judge has not discriminated against women in cases of sex discrimination against women.
The argument above is flawed in that it ignores the possibility that
(A) a large number of the judges cases arose out of allegations of sex discrimination against women
(B) many judges find it difficult to be objective in cases of sex discrimination against women
(C) the judge is biased against women defendants or plaintiffs in cases that do not involve sex discrimination
(D) the majority of the cases of sex discrimination against women that have reached the judges court have been appealed from a lower court
(E) the evidence shows that the women should have won in more than sixty percent of the judges cases involving sex discrimination against women


I would say E for the last one, although I am not totally sure about the quality of the question given the English error and typo in it.
1122
Vrinda81 Says
I would say E for the last one, although I am not totally sure about the quality of the question given the English error and typo in it.


I think question in given form has sufficient information to reach some conclusion. I can't be dead sure that there's no type, since I got these questions from a softcopy of a doc.

How about explanations pls?

I'll post answers soon.
1124
Some people have questioned the judges objectivity in cases of sex discrimination against women. But the record shows that in sixty percent of such cases, the judge has decided in favor of the women. This record demonstrates that the judge has not discriminated against women in cases of sex discrimination against women.
The argument above is flawed in that it ignores the possibility that
(A) a large number of the judges cases arose out of allegations of sex discrimination against women
(B) many judges find it difficult to be objective in cases of sex discrimination against women
(C) the judge is biased against women defendants or plaintiffs in cases that do not involve sex discrimination
(D) the majority of the cases of sex discrimination against women that have reached the judges court have been appealed from a lower court
(E) the evidence shows that the women should have won in more than sixty percent of the judges cases involving sex discrimination against women

I agree that the correct answer is indeed E. The best way to arrive at the answer is to eliminate wrong answers.

A. Out of scope and irrelevant
B. Out of scope and irrelevant
C. Irrelevant
3 down, 2 to go.

Now D is extremely tempting but the term 'majority' is very subjective. Hence we can conveniently eliminate it.

E is the winner here. Lets forget the grammar part and focus on the essence of the argument. Lets say the judge had a 100 cases on the table and the judge handed out a positive verdict in 60 cases. However, it could very well be that 80 or 90 cases merited a positive verdict.

In case one is looking for a 'category' of errors its the typical 'Statistics / Percentages' kind of CR problems we come across in OG, Princeton Review, Kaplan.

Lets say an FMCG company comes out in the open and says that test marketing showed 80% of the people love our new candy. What is the flaw here?

It may very well be that test marketing was done on 5 people of which 4 responded positively. So the sample for the test was definitely not representative.


Answer is indeed E and reasoning precise.

1. C (In the first read I found this answer ridiculous, but now understand why this is the best)
2. A (increased average price could be attributed to stable sales in high priced home)
3. E (you can't just reduce price and expect your product to be competitive, because Consumers perceptions of the quality of a product are based on the actual quality of the product)
4. E (conclusion drawn from the data that is not representative)
1125
Some people have questioned the judges objectivity in cases of sex discrimination against women. But the record shows that in sixty percent of such cases, the judge has decided in favor of the women. This record demonstrates that the judge has not discriminated against women in cases of sex discrimination against women.
The argument above is flawed in that it ignores the possibility that
(A) a large number of the judges cases arose out of allegations of sex discrimination against women
(B) many judges find it difficult to be objective in cases of sex discrimination against women
(C) the judge is biased against women defendants or plaintiffs in cases that do not involve sex discrimination
(D) the majority of the cases of sex discrimination against women that have reached the judges court have been appealed from a lower court
(E) the evidence shows that the women should have won in more than sixty percent of the judges cases involving sex discrimination against women

I agree that the correct answer is indeed E. The best way to arrive at the answer is to eliminate wrong answers.

A. Out of scope and irrelevant
B. Out of scope and irrelevant
C. Irrelevant
3 down, 2 to go.

Now D is extremely tempting but the term 'majority' is very subjective. Hence we can conveniently eliminate it.

E is the winner here. Lets forget the grammar part and focus on the essence of the argument. Lets say the judge had a 100 cases on the table and the judge handed out a positive verdict in 60 cases. However, it could very well be that 80 or 90 cases merited a positive verdict.

In case one is looking for a 'category' of errors its the typical 'Statistics / Percentages' kind of CR problems we come across in OG, Princeton Review, Kaplan.

Lets say an FMCG company comes out in the open and says that test marketing showed 80% of the people love our new candy. What is the flaw here?

It may very well be that test marketing was done on 5 people of which 4 responded positively. So the sample for the test was definitely not representative.

But 'reachnagraj' if we accept that "the evidence shows that the women should have won in more than sixty percent of the judge's cases involving sex discrimination against women", are we not strengthening the authors argument. I know this is not a weakening type question. But should not the answere show that there is a flaw which brings into question, the way the conclusion is being drawn. I feel the answer should be something which says that they are repeated cases or something. I apologize if I sounded stupid.
1126
Vrinda81 Says
I would say E for the last one, although I am not totally sure about the quality of the question given the English error and typo in it.



1 and 2--- I was stumped.

Heres my explanations for 4 and 5

The value of a product is determined by the ratio of its quality to its price. The higher the value of a product, the better will be its competitive position. Therefore, either increasing the quality or lowering the price of a given product will increase the likelihood that consumer will select that product rather than a competing one.
Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the conclusion drawn above?
(A) It is possible to increase both the quality and the price of a product without changing its competitive position.
(B) For certain segments of the population of consumers, higher-priced brands of some product lines are preferred to the lower-priced brands.
(C) Competing products often try to appeal to different segments of the population of consumers.
(D) The competitive position of a product can be affected by such factors as advertising and brand loyalty.
(E) Consumers perceptions of the quality of a product are based on the actual quality of the product.
Explanation:

My Pick (E) because
the argument says
quality
1.Value =-----------
price.

2.Increasing value increases the chance of a product being selected.

This can happen,when the consumers perception are actually affected by the value which is a measure of the quality(and also the price,which is not used here). If the value could not influence the customers perception then,changing the parameters,as stated in the argument will have no bearing on the likelihood of customers response.


Some people have questioned the judges objectivity in cases of sex discrimination against women. But the record shows that in sixty percent of such cases, the judge has decided in favor of the women. This record demonstrates that the judge has not discriminated against women in cases of sex discrimination against women.
The argument above is flawed in that it ignores the possibility that
(A) a large number of the judges cases arose out of allegations of sex discrimination against women
(B) many judges find it difficult to be objective in cases of sex discrimination against women
(C) the judge is biased against women defendants or plaintiffs in cases that do not involve sex discrimination
(D) the majority of the cases of sex discrimination against women that have reached the judges court have been appealed from a lower court
(E) the evidence shows that the women should have won in more than sixty percent of the judges cases involving sex discrimination against women

Explanation

My Pick (E)

This is a number type of reasoning.
60% rulings in favor of women is trying to prove the notion that judges are not discriminatory towards women.
(E) says that --
We can ask,what about the other 40%? Why not talk about it?
It is possible(hence this possiblity has been ignored as in the question) that a large number of the other 40% could have been won
by women,but they did not win it for the "Judge's sex discrimation towards women". SO the statistics provided is not sufficient to prove the conclusion i.e,the sex discriminations of judges on women.
1129
Heres a question...
Alba: I dont intend to vote for Senator Frank in the next election. She is not a strong supporter of the war against crime.
Tam: But Senator Frank sponsored the latest anticrime law passed by the Senate.
Alba: If Senator Frank sponsored it, it cant be a very strong anticrime law.
Which of the following identifies the most serious logical flaw in Albas reasoning?
(A) The facts she presents do not support her conclusion that Senator Frank is soft on crime.
(B) She assumes without proof that crime is the most important issue in the upcoming election.
(C) She argues in a circle, using an unsupported assertion to dismiss conflicting evidence.
(D) She attacks Senator Frank on personal grounds rather than on he merit as a political leader.
(E) In deciding not to vote for Senator Frank, she fails to consider issues other than crime.



Hey Guys

I need to get hold of the bookS 1000 SC/CR/RC. Can you guys suggest where would I get the book? I am ready to buy it.

Thanks
Neel
1130

I would say D.

D shows that she is being prejudice in her decision not to vote for Frank.

1131
I would say D.

D shows that she is being prejudice in her decision not to vote for Frank.


(C) She argues in a circle, using an unsupported assertion to dismiss conflicting evidence.

Logically, this should be the answer. Alba is assuming something without any evidence and then she throws out the counter argument with the same assumption as an evidence.
1132

Logic to ans option D.
Repeated use of word strong.
Alba does not see Frank as strong supporter of anti-crime.

When given evidence that Frank supports anti-crime by sponsoring anti-crime law, Alba reiterates that this law is must not be strong one

This shows Alba is not ready to accept Frank as her senator no matter what Frank does which means she is being prejudice.

1133
Hey Guys

I need to get hold of the bookS 1000 SC/CR/RC. Can you guys suggest where would I get the book? I am ready to buy it.

Thanks
Neel


I think the answer woulb be C. Because without supporting her first statement she makes another statement in circle.
1134

I think the answer would be C

>> She argues in a circle, using an unsupported assertion to dismiss conflicting evidence.

Clearly she says that the crime cant be a strong crime , she has no support for this assertion to the conflicting evidence provided by Tam.

1135
Recent estimates predict that between 1982 and 1995 the greatest increase in the number of people employed will be in the category of low-paying service occupations. This category, however, will not increase its share of total employment, whereas the category of high-paying service occupations will increase its share.
If the estimates above are accurate, which of the following conclusions can be drawn?
(A) In 1982 more people were working in low-paying service occupations than were working in high-paying service occupations.
(B) In 1995 more people will be working in high-paying service occupations than will be working in low-paying service occupations.
(C) Nonservice occupations will account for the same share of total employment in 1995 as in 1982.
(D) Many of the people who were working in low-paying service occupations in 1982 will be working in high-paying service occupations by 1995
(E) The rate of growth for low-paying service occupations will be greater than the overall rate of employment growth between 1982 and 1995.


Please post the answer with explanation.