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GMAT Critical Reasoning Discussions
GMAT and Related Discussions Discuss questions regarding the Verbal & Quantitative section in the GMAT.

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Re: GMAT Critical Reasoning Discussions - 26-10-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by nilesh376 View Post
Can anyone post right answer explanation to below question?

High school students who feel that they are not succeeding in high school often drop out before graduating and go to work. Last year however , the city's high school drop out rate was significantly lower than the previous years rate.The is encouraging evidence that the program instituted two years ago to improve the moral of the high school students has began to take effect to reduce dropouts.

Which of the following , if true about the last year , most seriously weaken the argument?

A. There was a recession that caused high level of unemployment in the city.
B. The moral of students who drop out of high school had been low even before they reach high school.
C. As in the preceding year more high school students remained in the school than dropped out.
D. High schools in the city established placement offices to assist graduates in obtaining employment.
E.The anti drop out program was primarily aimed at improving students moral in those high schools with high dropout rates.

This question is from power score CR bible. I'm always being trapped in shell game answers. and the reason doesn't seem to be convincing why my answers are wrong. does any one know the right answer nd its reason?
I think the answer is D.
The ques asks which statement weakens the argument.
And what's the argument here OR what are you asked to weaken?
The argument is- the program which instituted two years ago to improve the moral of the high school students is the reason for reduce in the no. of dropouts from the high school. so we have to weaken this, that is find a reason which is valid and shows that this Other thing is the reason for low rates of dropouts.

Now since we are cleared, what we are looking for, let's go through the answer chocies.

Choice A is irrelvant. we aren't looking for the reasons of- why there is high level of umemployment.
Choice B is also irrelevant. it says, the students had low moral even reaching to high school. is this what we are concerned with? NO!

Choice C contradicts the info given in the ques. it says, in the preceding year more high school students remained in the school than dropped out.
And the premesis in the ques clearly says that- Last year however, the city's high school drop out rate was significantly lower than the previous years rate.

Choice E says, The anti drop out program was primarily aimed at improving students moral in those high schools with high dropout rates, this supports the Argument. says that the program insititued is the reason, why there is reduce in the no of dropouts from high school.

Choice D says, High schools in the city established placement offices to assist graduates in obtaining employment, is absolutely correct cause it specifices that High school students are not dropping out but are helping them to graduate and then get employed. and weakens the arguement that why the program insitituted it NOT the reason for reduce in no. of drop outs.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Yogeshchaudhari View Post
My take - B
Assumption - Moral boosting programs were responsible to reduce the drop-out rate (and no other factor was responsible)

Please post OA.
Yogesh, i think you got the ques wrong.

Ple Nilesh, post the OA.

Hope the reasoning is clear.

Regards,
Neha


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Re: GMAT Critical Reasoning Discussions - 26-10-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yogeshchaudhari View Post

CR Ques:

OAs: AEBCB
Question 1:
Dobson: Some historians claim that the people who built a ring of stones thousands of years ago in Britain were knowledgeable about celestial events. The grounds for this claim are that two of the stones determine a line pointing directly to the position of the sun at sunrise at the spring equinox. However, there are many stones in the ring so the chance that one pair will point in a celestially significant direction is high. Therefore, the people who built the ring were not knowledgeable about celestial events.
Which one of the following is an error of reasoning in Dobson's argument?

A. The failure of cited evidence to establish a statement is taken as evidence that that statement is false.
B. Dobson's conclusion logically contradicts some of the evidence presented in support of it.
C. Statements that absolutely establish Dobson's conclusion are treated as if they merely give some support to that conclusion.
D. Something that is merely a matter of opinion is treated as if it were subject to verification as a fact.
E. Dobson is not a scientist.

A is best cause it tells unambiguously what Dobson assumed.
Rest chocies are not correct.


Question 2:
After a week, the body of anyone infected by virus X will produce antibodies to fight the virus. The antibodies will increase in number for the next year or so. There is now a test that reliably indicates how many antibodies are present in a person's body. If positive, this test can be used during the first year of infection to estimate within a month of accuracy when that person became infected by the virus.
Which one of the following conclusions is best supported by the statements above?

A. Antibodies increase in number only until they have defeated the virus.
B. Without the test for antibodies, there is no way of establishing whether a person has virus X.
C. Antibodies are produced only for viral infections that cannot be fought by any other body defenses.
D. If a person remains infected by virus X indefinitely, there is no limit to the number of antibodies that can be present in the person's body.
E. Anyone infected by virus X will fail for a period of time to exhibit infection if tested by the antibody test.

We are concerned about strengthing the statement that the test is able to tell when did the patient got infected by the Virus X

Choice A dosen't tell anything about the test. We are not concerned about increase in no of antibodies and how they get defeated.

Choice B is irrelevant. We are not concernced about is the test able to detect that a person had virus X. the argument nowhere says, that we are testing to check this.

Choice C is irrelevant. Choice C doesn't say anything about the test and talks about the antibodies are produced for what! we arn't concernced about that!

Chocie D too talks rubbish! and says nothing about the test.

Choice E is the best. and strengths that the test is able to detect when a person got infected by Virus X. cause if you are able to detect this then only will you to take action to stop it and treat the patient. and when you do that over a period of time, the infection caused by the virus will fail. this is what Choice E states.



Question 4:
There has been a sharp increase in the subscription prices of many professional and scholarly journals in the past seven years. Many publishers ascribe these increases to the availability of photocopying facilities, which facilitates copying articles in lieu of buying an entire journal.
Which of the following, if true, would best strengthen this explanation?

A. The great majority of professional and scholarly journals have a massive backlog of papers awaiting publication.
B. Over the last three years, there has been a substantial decline in the number of individual subscriptions to professional and scholarly journals, while library subscriptions have remained fairly stable.
C. In the five years immediately preceding the price surge, there was a substantial decline in the number of individual subscriptions to professional and scholarly journals, while library subscriptions remained fairly stable.
D. Many libraries have recently begun cutting back on subscriptions to professional and scholarly journals.
E. In almost every field, several new professional and scholarly journals have begun publication in the past few years.

Choice A and E are irrelevant. We are not looking for how much backlog of papers does the professional and scholarly journals have. or even for in how many fields, how many professionals have started the publications.

Choice B is almost right in telling that the subcriptions of professional journals decreased and library had fairly stable. But it does not tell that is this was after or before the increase in the subcriptions of the Professional and scholarly journals.

Choice D is opposite of what we are looking. it says that people are again subscribing to professional journals. But it's still incomplete, cause doesn't tell before or after the price rise.

Choice C is best in strengthing that after the increase in subscriptions of professional jornals, people have started issuing/copying the journals from lib and the professional subrciptions have decreased.


Question 5:
Over the last 10 years the retail hardware business has seen massive consolidation with many smaller hardware retailers going out of business. These changes have been attributed to the new ‘ category killer ’ stores that have the volume and buying leverage to offer very low prices while maintaining healthy profit margins. This analysis is incorrect, however, because since even today the so-called superstores only have a small share of the total retail hardware market.
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument that the analysis is flawed?

A. Most of the larger customers for hardware purchases buy directly from manufacturers and thus do not participate in the retail market.
B. The superstores' heavy advertising of their low prices has forced prices down throughout the retail market for hardware supplies.
C. Many of the ‘ category killer ’ stores have themselves gone out of business.
D. Most of the hardware superstores sell a diversified base of goods, not just hardware.
E. The internet has created new openings for dozens of small internet-based hardware retailers.


Choice C, D are absolutely irrelevant. We aren't looking 'category killers' are out of the business and where did the h/w stores diversified in.
Choice A too is rubbish, we are not looking for from does the large customers buy.
Now, choice E kinda strengths the statement. tells why the superstores have a small share of the retail H/w marekt.

Choice B is best that helps in weakening. It says: The superstores' heavy advertising of their low prices has forced prices down throughout the retail market for hardware supplies. which tells that the superstores do not have small share of the retail H/w market.

Hope the reasoning is clears.

Wish i could reason this well while giving the test
in 75 seconds i'm supposed to choose the right option and it takes me atleast 60 seconds to read the damm ques!


Regards,
Neha


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"The best and the most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller

Last edited by neha.visionary; 26-10-2009 at 05:40 PM.
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Re: GMAT Critical Reasoning Discussions - 30-10-2009, 12:06 AM

@ Neha..

Your expaination is gud.. But, I found A also equally good contender..

Flaw in D could be - in the Q we are given with some program was started 2 yrs ago. it might be the placement program..

If previous yr it was recession time, then students won't get job.. hence, they won't drop out...

- Nipun

Quote:
Originally Posted by neha.visionary View Post
I think the answer is D.
The ques asks which statement weakens the argument.
And what's the argument here OR what are you asked to weaken?
The argument is- the program which instituted two years ago to improve the moral of the high school students is the reason for reduce in the no. of dropouts from the high school. so we have to weaken this, that is find a reason which is valid and shows that this Other thing is the reason for low rates of dropouts.

Now since we are cleared, what we are looking for, let's go through the answer chocies.

Choice A is irrelvant. we aren't looking for the reasons of- why there is high level of umemployment.
Choice B is also irrelevant. it says, the students had low moral even reaching to high school. is this what we are concerned with? NO!

Choice C contradicts the info given in the ques. it says, in the preceding year more high school students remained in the school than dropped out.
And the premesis in the ques clearly says that- Last year however, the city's high school drop out rate was significantly lower than the previous years rate.

Choice E says, The anti drop out program was primarily aimed at improving students moral in those high schools with high dropout rates, this supports the Argument. says that the program insititued is the reason, why there is reduce in the no of dropouts from high school.

Choice D says, High schools in the city established placement offices to assist graduates in obtaining employment, is absolutely correct cause it specifices that High school students are not dropping out but are helping them to graduate and then get employed. and weakens the arguement that why the program insitituted it NOT the reason for reduce in no. of drop outs.




Yogesh, i think you got the ques wrong.

Ple Nilesh, post the OA.

Hope the reasoning is clear.

Regards,
Neha
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Re: GMAT Critical Reasoning Discussions - 30-10-2009, 02:03 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by nilesh376 View Post
Can anyone post right answer explanation to below question?

High school students who feel that they are not succeeding in high school often drop out before graduating and go to work. Last year however , the city's high school drop out rate was significantly lower than the previous years rate.The is encouraging evidence that the program instituted two years ago to improve the moral of the high school students has began to take effect to reduce dropouts.

Which of the following , if true about the last year , most seriously weaken the argument?

A. There was a recession that caused high level of unemployment in the city.
B. The moral of students who drop out of high school had been low even before they reach high school.
C. As in the preceding year more high school students remained in the school than dropped out.
D. High schools in the city established placement offices to assist graduates in obtaining employment.
E.The anti drop out program was primarily aimed at improving students moral in those high schools with high dropout rates.
Quote:
Originally Posted by neha.visionary View Post
I think the answer is D.
The ques asks which statement weakens the argument.
And what's the argument here OR what are you asked to weaken?
The argument is- the program which instituted two years ago to improve the moral of the high school students is the reason for reduce in the no. of dropouts from the high school. so we have to weaken this, that is find a reason which is valid and shows that this Other thing is the reason for low rates of dropouts.

Now since we are cleared, what we are looking for, let's go through the answer chocies.

Choice A is irrelvant. we aren't looking for the reasons of- why there is high level of umemployment.
Choice B is also irrelevant. it says, the students had low moral even reaching to high school. is this what we are concerned with? NO!

Choice C contradicts the info given in the ques. it says, in the preceding year more high school students remained in the school than dropped out.
And the premesis in the ques clearly says that- Last year however, the city's high school drop out rate was significantly lower than the previous years rate.

Choice E says, The anti drop out program was primarily aimed at improving students moral in those high schools with high dropout rates, this supports the Argument. says that the program insititued is the reason, why there is reduce in the no of dropouts from high school.

Choice D says, High schools in the city established placement offices to assist graduates in obtaining employment, is absolutely correct cause it specifices that High school students are not dropping out but are helping them to graduate and then get employed. and weakens the arguement that why the program insitituted it NOT the reason for reduce in no. of drop outs.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Nipunbans View Post
@ Neha..

Your expaination is gud.. But, I found A also equally good contender..

Flaw in D could be - in the Q we are given with some program was started 2 yrs ago. it might be the placement program..

If previous yr it was recession time, then students won't get job.. hence, they won't drop out...

- Nipun

Thankyou Nipun.

Ple read the sentences in bold. The premise of the question says:
the program instituted two years ago to improve the moral of the high school students
So I think, it is clear, what is the purpose of the program? The program started to improve the moral of the high school students.

I do not think D has this flaw that- the program started for any other purpose?

And As far Choice A is concerned. choice A says-
There was a recession that caused high level of unemployment in the city.

Why are we concerned with the recession in the city? Does the cause of high level of umemployment that is recession tells us it is the reason for low rates of dropouts? How does it weakens the statement?

If you can explain the answers to my ques, ple do so. Would like to know your reasoning and do tell what makes you think, it's the asnwer.


Regards,
Neha


MY Blog: Crayons

"The best and the most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller
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Re: GMAT Critical Reasoning Discussions - 31-10-2009, 09:20 AM

I think you are right... Good explanation.. thanks...

Quote:
Originally Posted by neha.visionary View Post
Thankyou Nipun.

Ple read the sentences in bold. The premise of the question says:
the program instituted two years ago to improve the moral of the high school students
So I think, it is clear, what is the purpose of the program? The program started to improve the moral of the high school students.

I do not think D has this flaw that- the program started for any other purpose?

And As far Choice A is concerned. choice A says-
There was a recession that caused high level of unemployment in the city.

Why are we concerned with the recession in the city? Does the cause of high level of umemployment that is recession tells us it is the reason for low rates of dropouts? How does it weakens the statement?

If you can explain the answers to my ques, ple do so. Would like to know your reasoning and do tell what makes you think, it's the asnwer.


Regards,
Neha
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Re: GMAT Critical Reasoning Discussions - 02-11-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nipunbans View Post
I think you are right... Good explanation.. thanks...
You are welcome


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Re: GMAT Critical Reasoning Discussions - 05-11-2009, 09:19 PM

In the effort to fire a Civil Service employee, his or her manager may have to spend up to $100,000 of tax money. Since Civil Service employees know how hard it is to fire them, they tend to loaf. This explains in large part why the government is so inefficient.
It can be properly inferred on the basis of the statements above that the author believes which of the following?
I. Too much job security can have a negative influence on workers.
II. More government workers should be fired.
III. Most government workers are Civil Service employees.
(A) I only
(B) I and III only
(C) II only
(D) I, II, and II
(E) III only

Can i have the correct answer to this question?
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Re: GMAT Critical Reasoning Discussions - 05-11-2009, 09:28 PM

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Originally Posted by razor's edge View Post
In the effort to fire a Civil Service employee, his or her manager may have to spend up to $100,000 of tax money. Since Civil Service employees know how hard it is to fire them, they tend to loaf. This explains in large part why the government is so inefficient.
It can be properly inferred on the basis of the statements above that the author believes which of the following?
I. Too much job security can have a negative influence on workers.
II. More government workers should be fired.
III. Most government workers are Civil Service employees.
(A) I only
(B) I and III only
(C) II only
(D) I, II, and II
(E) III only

Can i have the correct answer to this question?
I thought the answer to be E 'coz at the end the author concludes that the govt is inefficient and cites and reason for it. "This explains in large part why the govt is so inefficient"....'coz it is composed of civil service employees.

Though to my intense surprise the answer turned out to be A
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Re: GMAT Critical Reasoning Discussions - 05-11-2009, 09:54 PM

It should be A.. because last option is uing "Most" which is not mentioned anywhere. A is the basic idea which these lines suggest..

Quote:
Originally Posted by razor's edge View Post
In the effort to fire a Civil Service employee, his or her manager may have to spend up to $100,000 of tax money. Since Civil Service employees know how hard it is to fire them, they tend to loaf. This explains in large part why the government is so inefficient.
It can be properly inferred on the basis of the statements above that the author believes which of the following?
I. Too much job security can have a negative influence on workers.
II. More government workers should be fired.
III. Most government workers are Civil Service employees.
(A) I only
(B) I and III only
(C) II only
(D) I, II, and II
(E) III only

Can i have the correct answer to this question?

Last edited by Nipunbans; 05-11-2009 at 09:56 PM.
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Re: GMAT Critical Reasoning Discussions - 05-11-2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nipunbans View Post
It should be A.. because last option is uing "Most" which is not mentioned anywhere. A is the basic idea which these lines suggest..
Ok. Even if the word 'most' calls for extremity, which should normally be avoided, how does that make the first option correct? I mean where is the reference to the term 'workers' and how on earth will the job security have a negative impact on them??

Last edited by razor's edge; 05-11-2009 at 11:32 PM.
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