GMAT Critical Reasoning Discussions

MBA
1584
In the years 1971 to 1980, the population of the state prison system was on average about 82 percent of maximum occupancy. During those years, the average number of prisoners entering the system each year was equivalent to 9.1 percent of maximum occupancy. From the years 1981 to 1984, the average number of prisoners entering the system each year fell to 7.3 percent of maximum occupancy, yet the population of the state prison system rose to almost 89 percent of maximum occupancy.
Which of the following, if true, helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy?

(A) The average sentence of a prisoner in the state system increased from 1981 to 1984.
(B) Beginning in 1981, many of those entering the state prison system had been transferred from prisons in other states.
(C) Between 1981 and 1984, the percentage of prisoners incarcerated for violent crimes increased by 26 percent.
(D) In 1981, a legislative fact-finding committee proposed a revision of the state's parole and work release programs.
(E) Between 1971 and 1984, the proportion of active criminals actually caught and incarcerated in the state prison system has steadily increased.
-------
Any opinions??

I think it`s option E........
what`s the OA???
1585
I think it`s option E........
what`s the OA???


Here are the facts: In the early years, the prisons were 82% full, and just over 9% of the total possible occupancy arrived each year in the form of new prisoners. Now that the latter figure is down to 7.3%, the author is surprised that the prisons are more full: 89% full. She evidently expects that as one figure drops, so should the other. The key is seeing that she is focusing on the trend in incoming prisoners only, when the totals take into account all prisoners. Consider the long-termers. If the average length of sentences of all prisoners is increasing, then it's small wonder that the prisons are more crowded now, even if a smaller percentage of the inmates are newcomers. That's what (A), the correct answer, is all about.
(B) Where the prisoners came from has no impact on how many are, or should be, here in this state.
(C) Nothing in the evidence concerns the nature of crime, so no information about what landed these people in jail in the first place can resolve the paradox.
(D) A "proposed revision" is way too weak. Was it instituted? And even if it was, what effect would it have? There's no way to know, so (D) is irrelevant and does nothing to clear up what the author considers to be a surprising result.
(E), even if true, begs the question of why the percentage of the prison total entering the system is lower than years ago, but the prisons are fuller. All (E) says is that fewer criminals are getting off scot free.
_____
1586
In the years 1971 to 1980, the population of the state prison system was on average about 82 percent of maximum occupancy. During those years, the average number of prisoners entering the system each year was equivalent to 9.1 percent of maximum occupancy. From the years 1981 to 1984, the average number of prisoners entering the system each year fell to 7.3 percent of maximum occupancy, yet the population of the state prison system rose to almost 89 percent of maximum occupancy.

Which of the following, if true, helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy?

(A) The average sentence of a prisoner in the state system increased from 1981 to 1984.
(B) Beginning in 1981, many of those entering the state prison system had been transferred from prisons in other states.
(C) Between 1981 and 1984, the percentage of prisoners incarcerated for violent crimes increased by 26 percent.
(D) In 1981, a legislative fact-finding committee proposed a revision of the state's parole and work release programs.
(E) Between 1971 and 1984, the proportion of active criminals actually caught and incarcerated in the state prison system has steadily increased.
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Any opinions??


I would have marked option A
1587
An international study recently examined the effects of second-hand smoke on health. Surprisingly, although the dosages of harmful chemicals from second-hand smoke are so small that their effect should be negligible, the study found that nonsmoking spouses of smokers displayed an incidence of heart disease that was significantly greater than that of nonsmokers who were not as regularly exposed to second-hand smoke.

Each of the following, if true, could contribute to an explanation of the unexpectedly high incidence of heart disease in smokers' spouses EXCEPT:

(A) A disproportionately high number of people married to smokers are among the older segment of the married population, a group that inherently has a higher-than-average risk of heart disease.

(B) On average, more alcohol and coffee, both of which have been linked to heart disease, are consumed in the homes of smokers than in the homes of nonsmokers.

(C) A disproportionately high number of smokers are married to other smokers, and the risk of heart disease increases in proportion to the number of smokers living in a household.

(D) Smokers generally tend to live in higher-stress environments than do non-smokers, and stress is a factor associated with above average incidence of heart disease.

(E) A disproportionately high number of smokers live in areas with a high level of industrial pollutants, which have been shown to be a factor in increased risk of heart disease.
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1588
An international study recently examined the effects of second-hand smoke on health. Surprisingly, although the dosages of harmful chemicals from second-hand smoke are so small that their effect should be negligible, the study found that nonsmoking spouses of smokers displayed an incidence of heart disease that was significantly greater than that of nonsmokers who were not as regularly exposed to second-hand smoke.
Each of the following, if true, could contribute to an explanation of the unexpectedly high incidence of heart disease in smokers' spouses EXCEPT:
(A) A disproportionately high number of people married to smokers are among the older segment of the married population, a group that inherently has a higher-than-average risk of heart disease.
(B) On average, more alcohol and coffee, both of which have been linked to heart disease, are consumed in the homes of smokers than in the homes of nonsmokers.
(C) A disproportionately high number of smokers are married to other smokers, and the risk of heart disease increases in proportion to the number of smokers living in a household.
(D) Smokers generally tend to live in higher-stress environments than do non-smokers, and stress is a factor associated with above average incidence of heart disease.
(E) A disproportionately high number of smokers live in areas with a high level of industrial pollutants, which have been shown to be a factor in increased risk of heart disease.
----


Hi ,

My choice would be Option-C: Logically its better than other options.

cheers !
:cheers:
1589
Hi ,

My choice would be Option-C: Logically its better than other options.

cheers !
:cheers:

Bingo!!!

Answer is C:

Reason: (C): The study focuses entirely on nonsmokers married to smokers. Cases in which smokers are married to other smokers fall outside of this scope, so (C) has no power to clear up the mystery at hand.
1590
In the years 1971 to 1980, the population of the state prison system was on average about 82 percent of maximum occupancy. During those years, the average number of prisoners entering the system each year was equivalent to 9.1 percent of maximum occupancy. From the years 1981 to 1984, the average number of prisoners entering the system each year fell to 7.3 percent of maximum occupancy, yet the population of the state prison system rose to almost 89 percent of maximum occupancy.
Which of the following, if true, helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy?
(A) The average sentence of a prisoner in the state system increased from 1981 to 1984.
(B) Beginning in 1981, many of those entering the state prison system had been transferred from prisons in other states.
(C) Between 1981 and 1984, the percentage of prisoners incarcerated for violent crimes increased by 26 percent.
(D) In 1981, a legislative fact-finding committee proposed a revision of the state's parole and work release programs.
(E) Between 1971 and 1984, the proportion of active criminals actually caught and incarcerated in the state prison system has steadily increased.
-------
Any opinions??



I wud go with option B
1591
deepakraam Says
I wud go with option B

i too went for B...but the explanation says its wrong... sometimes it is really wierd...

Can anyone tell me if there is always one correct answer in critical reasoning? and what happens if we select second best answer (not the one GMAT thinks is best). We get zero or we get some marks? I believe selecting the answer is based on every individual's judgement.
1592
i too went for B...but the explanation says its wrong... sometimes it is really wierd...

Can anyone tell me if there is always one correct answer in critical reasoning? and what happens if we select second best answer (not the one GMAT thinks is best). We get zero or we get some marks? I believe selecting the answer is based on every individual's judgement.


realtachyon - To answer your question about marks is similar to answering the question " Did you ever Sleep with a partner or not?" - "Either you did" or "You did not". There is nothing in between. You either win it all, or you lose it all. Either your judgment is rewarding, or it isn't. We all will have to live with that, in the gmat world!

Take it easy..
1593
Guidebook writer: I have visited hotels throughout the country and have noticed that in those built before 1930 the quality of the original carpentry work is generally superior to that in hotels built afterward. Clearly carpenters working on hotels before 1930 typically worked with more skill, care, and effort than carpenters who have worked on hotels built subsequently.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the guidebook writers argument?
  1. The quality of original carpentry in hotels is generally far superior to the quality of original carpentry in other structures, such as houses and stores.
  2. Hotels built since 1930 can generally accommodate more guests than those built before 1930.
  3. The materials available to carpenters working before 1930 were not significantly different in quality from the materials available to carpenters working after 1930.
  4. The better the quality of original carpentry in a building, the less likely that building is to fall into disuse and be demolished.
  5. The average length of apprenticeship for carpenters has declined significantly since 1930.

Community activist: If Morganville wants to keep its central shopping district healthy, it should prevent the opening of a huge SaveAll discount department store on the outskirts of Morganville. Records from other small towns show that whenever SaveAll has opened a store outside the central shopping district of a small town, within five years the town has experienced the bankruptcies of more than a quarter of the stores in the shopping district.
The answer to which of the following would be most useful for evaluating the community activists reasoning?
  1. Have community activists in other towns successfully campaigned against the opening of a SaveAll store on the outskirts of their towns?
  2. Do a large percentage of the residents of Morganville currently do almost all of their shopping at stores in Morganville?
  3. In towns with healthy central shopping districts, what proportion of the stores in those districts suffer bankruptcy during a typical five-year period?
  4. What proportion of the employees at the SaveAll store on the outskirts of Morganville will be drawn from Morganville?
  5. Do newly opened SaveAll stores ever lose money during their first five years of operation?

Try with reasons...


1.
IMO: Option D

Logic: Older than 1930, better quality of wood work. Carpenters are more skilled, careful and safe.
Conclusion: Better skilled carpenters for 1930s.
A- Out of scope
B- Un-related
C- Strengthens, material being constant, better quality is because of better skilled labor
D -Weakens. Better quality, more use, less disuse and demolition, better retention of buildings. Better quality need not be from better carpenters alone. Could be the result of many factors. Good quality wood, as lesser deforestation standards etc could have enhanced durability...
E- Strengthens. Lesser Apprenticeship => lesser training now a days, lesser skill now compared to then.

2.
Between B and C, IMO: C
B - If most of the Morganville residents do their shopping in the center, then having SaveAll store in outskirts should not impact it for the most part. If Morganville residents do their shopping outskirts more, then no matter what, whether SaveAll is set up or not, town center will increase bankrupcies.

C - Pinpoints and zeros down into the direct relationship of having a SaveAll versus not having one, and its analogous impact. Much clearer a choice.

Good ones Amsey !
1594
In the years 1971 to 1980, the population of the state prison system was on average about 82 percent of maximum occupancy. During those years, the average number of prisoners entering the system each year was equivalent to 9.1 percent of maximum occupancy. From the years 1981 to 1984, the average number of prisoners entering the system each year fell to 7.3 percent of maximum occupancy, yet the population of the state prison system rose to almost 89 percent of maximum occupancy.
Which of the following, if true, helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy?

(A) The average sentence of a prisoner in the state system increased from 1981 to 1984.
(B) Beginning in 1981, many of those entering the state prison system had been transferred from prisons in other states.
(C) Between 1981 and 1984, the percentage of prisoners incarcerated for violent crimes increased by 26 percent.
(D) In 1981, a legislative fact-finding committee proposed a revision of the state's parole and work release programs.
(E) Between 1971 and 1984, the proportion of active criminals actually caught and incarcerated in the state prison system has steadily increased.
-------
Any opinions??

IMO: Option A

Logic:
1971-80, jails filled to 82%, convicts that came in 9.1%
1981-84, jails filled to 89%, although convicts that came in was just 7.3%
Conclusion: Of the number of convicts that came in between 81-84, more stayed in the jails or were retained, than before.

A - If the sentence increased, then there is more retention of prisoners, clearly explains the occupancy increase.
B - "Entering the state prison system" does not mean "they ended up in these jails". They were entered into the system, and could be awaiting the result, or where they could be allocated. 4 year period is not much when it comes to convicts and their sentences, to await a result.
C - Violent crimes mean long and detailed proceedings. Remember, it takes years some times to decide if guilty or not. During all that time, these convicts need to be retained in local prisons. Inbound is less, but there is no evident outbound. Therefore retention could have increased. But not having data about outbound convicts, does not help to solve discrepancy.
D - Does not help in any stance.
E - Proportion of convicts "caught" vs ones "still roaming the streets" does not clearly indicate why more have to be retained in these prisons. This proportion does NOT mean more got withheld. This option does not give that data.

IMO: B and E are very close contenders, but "State prison System..." and "Proportion of active..." are the key factors to be considered here.

Very nice one realtachyon !
1595
realtachyon - To answer your question about marks is similar to answering the question " Did you ever Sleep with a partner or not?" - "Either you did" or "You did not". There is nothing in between. You either win it all, or you lose it all. Either your judgment is rewarding, or it isn't. We all will have to live with that, in the gmat world!

Take it easy..


Goood example...right on target..
1596

Hi guys

I humbly request all forum users not to post wrong answers as it is read by a hundred others like me.

Moreover, whenever you answer a question , do provide the reason as to why you have selected that particular option.Also try to provide the rationale behind eliminating all the incorrect options.

This would help us serve the purpose.I hope to see you all cooperate.

PS: Vikram2010's previous post exemplifies my saying

Happy Reasoning

1597
In the years 1971 to 1980, the population of the state prison system was on average about 82 percent of maximum occupancy. During those years, the average number of prisoners entering the system each year was equivalent to 9.1 percent of maximum occupancy. From the years 1981 to 1984, the average number of prisoners entering the system each year fell to 7.3 percent of maximum occupancy, yet the population of the state prison system rose to almost 89 percent of maximum occupancy.
Which of the following, if true, helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy?

(A) The average sentence of a prisoner in the state system increased from 1981 to 1984.
(B) Beginning in 1981, many of those entering the state prison system had been transferred from prisons in other states.
(C) Between 1981 and 1984, the percentage of prisoners incarcerated for violent crimes increased by 26 percent.
(D) In 1981, a legislative fact-finding committee proposed a revision of the state's parole and work release programs.
(E) Between 1971 and 1984, the proportion of active criminals actually caught and incarcerated in the state prison system has steadily increased.
-------
Any opinions??


Option E

none of the other options consider the possibility of prisoners who came in between 71 and 84 but with a longer term, or a life term. Thereby increasing the no. of inmates in the prison even if the no. of new criminals is decreasing.
1598
Hi please explain this:


Current farm policy is institutionalized penalization of consumers. It increases food prices for middle- and low-income families and costs the taxpayer billions of dollars a year.
Which of the following statements, if true, would provide support for the authors claims above?
I. Farm subsidies amount to roughly $20 billion a year in federal payouts and $12 billion more in higher food prices.
II. According to a study by the Department of Agriculture, each $1 of benefits provided to farmers for ethanol production costs consumers and taxpayers $4.
III. The average full-time farmers have an average net worth of over $300,000.
(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) III only
(D) I and II only
(E) I, II, and III
1599

Is it D...'ll expln if its correct.

1600

yes it is D.
I m fine with the 2nd option but unable to understand the first option.

1601

Stat 1 tells dat the federal payout of $20 b+ $12 b towards farm subsidy & higher food prices will be ultimately laid down to tax payers which in turn cause more tax for tax payers... its an outcome of current farm policy...hope its clear..

1602
Hi guys

I humbly request all forum users not to post wrong answers as it is read by a hundred others like me.

Moreover, whenever you answer a question , do provide the reason as to why you have selected that particular option.Also try to provide the rationale behind eliminating all the incorrect options.

This would help us serve the purpose.I hope to see you all cooperate.

PS: Vikram2010's previous post exemplifies my saying

Happy Reasoning


Hey Varun,
Thanks for your point.I second your opinion on the fact we provide the reasoning for whatever we write on this forum.However,as we learn we are bound to make mistake no one is born perfect ...

Even writing wrong answers will make us learn :

to the person commiting mistake : to air out his opinion & learn why he was wrong.

others : to learn from others mistake ( after all we aspire to become managers :)

PG Rocks!
Regards,
Papa Ji
1603
1).Every painting hanging in the Hoular Gallery is by a French painter-------Paintings in Houller gallery are french( Not all french paintings are in Houller).
No painting in the Hoular Gallery is by a Vorticist-------------( so based on Houler gallery data we cannot say that there is no french Vorticist)
Only Vorticists use acrylic monchromes-----------( doesnt mean Vorticist dont use other forms).

I couldn't right away choose C as answer but i could eliminated A,B,D,E based on above logic. Only with Option C i had no logical conclusion...so i went with C


2) Is Option D answer for this.

hey ,,, the answer C seems to be the best, and right,,,, full proof....