GMAT Critical Reasoning Discussions

MBA
1964
Here are some i cudnt ger right. Puys! plz try 2 explain ur answers coz only ans are not gonna help.. I have the answers already... OAs later..

(1) Extinction is a process that can depend on a variety of ecological, geographical, and physiological variables. These variables affect different species of organisms in different ways, and should, therefore, yield a random pattern of extinctions. However, the fossil record shows that extinction occurs in a surprisingly definite pattern, with many species vanishing at the same time.
Which of the following, if true, forms the best basis for at least a partial explanation of the patterned extinctions revealed by the fossil record?
(A) Major episodes of extinction can result from widespread environmental disturbances that affect numerous different species.
(B) Certain extinction episodes selectively affect organisms with particular sets of characteristics unique to their species.
(C) Some species become extinct because of accumulated gradual changes in their local environments.
(D) In geologically recent times, for which there is no fossil record, human intervention has changed the pattern of extinctions.
(E) Species that are widely dispersed are the least likely to become extinct.


(2). Neither a rising standard of living nor balanced trade, by itself, establishes a countrys ability to compete in the international marketplace. Both are required simultaneously since standards of living can rise because of growing trade deficits and trade can be balanced by means of a decline in a countrys standard of living.
If the facts stated in the passage above are true, a proper test of a countrys ability to be competitive is its ability to
(A) balance its trade while its standard of living rises
(B) balance its trade while its standard of living falls
(C) increase trade deficits while its standard of living rises
(D) decrease trade deficits while its standard of living falls
(E) keep its standard of living constant while trade deficits rise


(3) Which of the following best completes the passage below?
At a recent conference on environmental threats to the North Sea, most participating countries favored uniform controls on the quality of effluents, whether or not specific environmental damage could be attributed to a particular source of effluent. What must, of course, be shown, in order to avoid excessively restrictive controls, is that______
(A) any uniform controls that are adopted are likely to be implemented without delay
(B) any substance to be made subject to controls can actually cause environmental damage
(C) the countries favoring uniform controls are those generating the largest quantities of effluents
(D) all of any given pollutant that is to be controlled actually reaches the North Sea at present
(E) environmental damage already inflicted on the North Sea is reversible


(4) One analyst predicts that Hong Kong can retain its capitalist ways after it becomes part of mainland China in 1997 as long as a capitalist Hong Kong is useful to China; that a capitalist Hong Kong will be useful to China as long as Hong Kong is prosperous; and that Hong Kong will remain prosperous as long as it retains its capitalist ways.
If the predictions above are correct, which of the following further predictions can logically be derived from them?
(A) If Hong Kong fails to stay prosperous, it will no longer remain part of mainland China.
(B) If Hong Kong retains its capitalist ways until 1997, it will be allowed to do so afterward.
(C) If there is a world economic crisis after 1997, it will not adversely affect the economy of Hong Kong.
(D) Hong Kong will be prosperous after 1997.
(E) The citizens of Hong Kong will have no restrictions placed on them by the government of mainland China.

(1) Extinction is a process that can depend on a variety of ecological, geographical, and physiological variables. These variables affect different species of organisms in different ways, and should, therefore, yield a random pattern of extinctions. However, the fossil record shows that extinction occurs in a surprisingly definite pattern, with many species vanishing at the same time.
Which of the following, if true, forms the best basis for at least a partial explanation of the patterned extinctions revealed by the fossil record?
(A) Major episodes of extinction can result from widespread environmental disturbances that affect numerous different species.

Only this option shows how exactly many species can vanish at the same time....and subsequently become extinct. So (A)
(B) Certain extinction episodes selectively affect organisms with particular sets of characteristics unique to their species.

How any extinction episode affects some set of characteristics is out of scope. so NO for this option.
(C) Some species become extinct because of accumulated gradual changes in their local environments.

Environmental changes may be erratic at times and thus showing no pattern at all. so NO to this option also.
(D) In geologically recent times, for which there is no fossil record, human intervention has changed the pattern of extinctions.

Change of pattern is not of concern here. Out of scope. so NO
(E) Species that are widely dispersed are the least likely to become extinct.

If species are widely dispersed, the extinction pattern can actually be erratic. so NO

(2). Neither a rising standard of living nor balanced trade, by itself, establishes a countrys ability to compete in the international marketplace. Both are required simultaneously since standards of living can rise because of growing trade deficits and trade can be balanced by means of a decline in a countrys standard of living.
If the facts stated in the passage above are true, a proper test of a countrys ability to be competitive is its ability to

(Key: 1.Trade should be BALANCED
2. Standard of Living should rise.....
Both have to go hand in hand..........)
(A) balance its trade while its standard of living rises

Standard of living has to rise.....and at the same time trade must be balanced.... that only will prove that country is competitive.. so (A) is the answer.
(B) balance its trade while its standard of living falls

If Standard of living falls, condition (2) mentioned above isnt satisfied. so country isnt proved to be competitive. so NO to (B)
(C) increase trade deficits while its standard of living rises

Standard is rising but Trade isnt balanced. so NO to (C)
(D) decrease trade deficits while its standard of living falls

Standard is falling and trade is also not balanced. so NO.
(E) keep its standard of living constant while trade deficits rise

Standard of living not rising and imbalance in trade. so NO.

(3) Which of the following best completes the passage below?
At a recent conference on environmental threats to the North Sea, most participating countries favored uniform controls on the quality of effluents, whether or not specific environmental damage could be attributed to a particular source of effluent. What must, of course, be shown, in order to avoid excessively restrictive controls, is that______
(A) any uniform controls that are adopted are likely to be implemented without delay
(B) any substance to be made subject to controls can actually cause environmental damage

Only this option mentions how a controlled substance can harm environment.... so to avoid any further environmental damage.... that has to be conveyed properly. so (B) is the answer.
(C) the countries favoring uniform controls are those generating the largest quantities of effluents
(D) all of any given pollutant that is to be controlled actually reaches the North Sea at present
(E) environmental damage already inflicted on the North Sea is reversible


(4) One analyst predicts that Hong Kong can retain its capitalist ways after it becomes part of mainland China in 1997 as long as a capitalist Hong Kong is useful to China; that a capitalist Hong Kong will be useful to China as long as Hong Kong is prosperous; and that Hong Kong will remain prosperous as long as it retains its capitalist ways.
If the predictions above are correct, which of the following further predictions can logically be derived from them?
(A) If Hong Kong fails to stay prosperous, it will no longer remain part of mainland China.

If HK fails to remain prosperous, it will not be useful to china. If it's not useful to china, it will not be a part of mainland Chaina. so (A) can be the answer. thought not really sure of this one...

(B) If Hong Kong retains its capitalist ways until 1997, it will be allowed to do so afterward.


(C) If there is a world economic crisis after 1997, it will not adversely affect the economy of Hong Kong.
(D) Hong Kong will be prosperous after 1997.
(E) The citizens of Hong Kong will have no restrictions placed on them by the government of mainland China.


so my take A,A,B,A
1965

some more:
1) A drug that is highly effective in treating many types of infection can, at present, be obtained only from the bark of the ibora, a tree that is quite rare in the wild. It takes the bark of 5,000 trees to make one kilogram of the drug. It follows, therefore, that continued production of the drug must inevitably lead to the ibora's extinction.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?
(A) The drug made from ibora bark is dispensed to doctors from a central authority.
(B) The drug made from ibora bark is expensive to produce.
(C) The leaves of the ibora are used in a number of medical products.
(D) The ibora can be propagated from cuttings and grown under cultivation.
(E) The ibora generally grows in largely inaccessible places.


2) Hardin argued that grazing land held in common (that is, open to any user) would always be used less carefully than private grazing land. Each rancher would be tempted to overuse common land because the benefits would accrue to the individual, while the costs of reduced land quality that results from overuse would be spread among all users. But a study comparing 217 million acres of common grazing land with 433 million acres of private grazing land showed that the common land was in better condition
Which of the following, if true, and known by the ranchers, would best help explain the results of the study?
(A) With private grazing land, both the costs and the benefits of overuse fall to the individual user.
(B) The cost in reduced land quality that is attributable to any individual user is less easily measured with common land than it is with private land.
(C) An individual who overuses common grazing land might be able to achieve higher returns than other users can, with the result that he or she would obtain a competitive advantage.
(D) If one user of common land overuses it even slightly, the other users are likely to do so even more, with the consequence that the costs to each user outweigh the benefits.
(E) There are more acres of grazing land held privately than there are held in common.


I've doubt on OAs.. plz come up wid ur answers..

1966
some more:
1) A drug that is highly effective in treating many types of infection can, at present, be obtained only from the bark of the ibora, a tree that is quite rare in the wild. It takes the bark of 5,000 trees to make one kilogram of the drug. It follows, therefore, that continued production of the drug must inevitably lead to the iboras extinction.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?
(A) The drug made from ibora bark is dispensed to doctors from a central authority.
(B) The drug made from ibora bark is expensive to produce.
(C) The leaves of the ibora are used in a number of medical products.
(D) The ibora can be propagated from cuttings and grown under cultivation.
(E) The ibora generally grows in largely inaccessible places.

The argument would be weakened if we find the best suitable option that would prevent the extinction of ibora.
A - Out of scope. Usage of drug has no bearing on ibora.
B- It could be expensive to produce, but that does not mean pharma companies wont spend the money and resources to make it.
C - Other usages have no bearing on the argument at hand.
D - if Ibora can be grown and cultivated, then more usage can be compensated by more production. So extinction can be avoided.
E - growing in inaccessible places will make it harder for companies to reach it, and might reduce the drug production, but it would still not eradicate the extinction. May be they will produce and make the drug more expensive, regardless, ibora will still experience reduction in qty day by day.
2) Hardin argued that grazing land held in common (that is, open to any user) would always be used less carefully than private grazing land. Each rancher would be tempted to overuse common land because the benefits would accrue to the individual, while the costs of reduced land quality that results from overuse would be spread among all users. But a study comparing 217 million acres of common grazing land with 433 million acres of private grazing land showed that the common land was in better condition
Which of the following, if true, and known by the ranchers, would best help explain the results of the study?
(A) With private grazing land, both the costs and the benefits of overuse fall to the individual user.
(B) The cost in reduced land quality that is attributable to any individual user is less easily measured with common land than it is with private land.
(C) An individual who overuses common grazing land might be able to achieve higher returns than other users can, with the result that he or she would obtain a competitive advantage.
(D) If one user of common land overuses it even slightly, the other users are likely to do so even more, with the consequence that the costs to each user outweigh the benefits.
(E) There are more acres of grazing land held privately than there are held in common.

Conclusion: Common lands are in better condition, in spite of lack of ownership and personal care. If personal lands are harder to maintain, then it would explain this anamoly.

A,B,C - all are ruled out here, as they discuss the effect of cost and the impact on individuals.
Between D and E - I am a little confused with the 'consequence' and 'overweight' between cost and benefits in D.
E - More acreage in private lands will explain that they are tougher to maintain, and their by could result in poor quality. Thereby giving an upper hand to common lands.

I might have stretched out my approach a bit too far with E. Still going with this one.

I've doubt on OAs.. plz come up wid ur answers..


My answers: D, E

Explanations in Red.
1967
some more:
1) a drug that is highly effective in treating many types of infection can, at present, be obtained only from the bark of the ibora, a tree that is quite rare in the wild. It takes the bark of 5,000 trees to make one kilogram of the drug. It follows, therefore, that continued production of the drug must inevitably lead to the iboras extinction.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?
(a) the drug made from ibora bark is dispensed to doctors from a central authority.
(b) the drug made from ibora bark is expensive to produce.
(c) the leaves of the ibora are used in a number of medical products.
(d) the ibora can be propagated from cuttings and grown under cultivation.
(e) the ibora generally grows in largely inaccessible places.


if the ibora can be cultivated, then there is no threat to the species in terms of extinction....
2) hardin argued that grazing land held in common (that is, open to any user) would always be used less carefully than private grazing land. Each rancher would be tempted to overuse common land because the benefits would accrue to the individual, while the costs of reduced land quality that results from overuse would be spread among all users. But a study comparing 217 million acres of common grazing land with 433 million acres of private grazing land showed that the common land was in better condition
which of the following, if true, and known by the ranchers, would best help explain the results of the study?
(a) with private grazing land, both the costs and the benefits of overuse fall to the individual user.
(b) the cost in reduced land quality that is attributable to any individual user is less easily measured with common land than it is with private land.
(c) an individual who overuses common grazing land might be able to achieve higher returns than other users can, with the result that he or she would obtain a competitive advantage.
(d) if one user of common land overuses it even slightly, the other users are likely to do so even more, with the consequence that the costs to each user outweigh the benefits.
(e) there are more acres of grazing land held privately than there are held in common.

a lil confused bet d & e...
But it can't be d, as the stem clearly says that individuals do not accure the cost of public land...
Also, if there is more private land, then the people have enough and won't be tempted to use the common land,so e


i've doubt on oas.. Plz come up wid ur answers..

imo -1)d 2)e
1968

Hi Guys, I just took Kaplan test found it to be too tough..
Scored 600.....
Regarding this I have a doubt-

1.Would Gmat test be of same level?
2. How much can one expect more in real Gmat test, give a score in Kaplan..
3. Which test would it be advisable to take...


Sorry to post here .. Expecting your replies soon.

Thanks

1969
some more:
1) A drug that is highly effective in treating many types of infection can, at present, be obtained only from the bark of the ibora, a tree that is quite rare in the wild. It takes the bark of 5,000 trees to make one kilogram of the drug. It follows, therefore, that continued production of the drug must inevitably lead to the iboras extinction.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?
(A) The drug made from ibora bark is dispensed to doctors from a central authority.
(B) The drug made from ibora bark is expensive to produce.
(C) The leaves of the ibora are used in a number of medical products.
(D) The ibora can be propagated from cuttings and grown under cultivation.

Ibora can be produced further and it won't be extinct. so (D) .. .
(E) The ibora generally grows in largely inaccessible places.


2) Hardin argued that grazing land held in common (that is, open to any user) would always be used less carefully than private grazing land. Each rancher would be tempted to overuse common land because the benefits would accrue to the individual, while the costs of reduced land quality that results from overuse would be spread among all users. But a study comparing 217 million acres of common grazing land with 433 million acres of private grazing land showed that the common land was in better condition
Which of the following, if true, and known by the ranchers, would best help explain the results of the study?
(A) With private grazing land, both the costs and the benefits of overuse fall to the individual user.
(B) The cost in reduced land quality that is attributable to any individual user is less easily measured with common land than it is with private land.
(C) An individual who overuses common grazing land might be able to achieve higher returns than other users can, with the result that he or she would obtain a competitive advantage.
(D) If one user of common land overuses it even slightly, the other users are likely to do so even more, with the consequence that the costs to each user outweigh the benefits.

Here the consequences of overused land are to be borne by all users, irrespective of amount of overuse done by any person.... no user would prefer to pay for the land which he hasnt used as much as others... so that can be the reason for less use of common land.... so.(D)...

(E) There are more acres of grazing land held privately than there are held in common.


I've doubt on OAs.. plz come up wid ur answers..



My take D, D ... pl let us know OAs
1970

Hi

Got the Powerscore book and have read 1/3rd of it but with no success. I have understood the theory properly but when I tried the fundas on the question set at the end of each chapter, I got most of them wrong! No improvement in my accuracy even after studying this.

Now, this is insane and has hit my panic Button 😃

Any further advises. My exam is on Sept 29th and this is where I stand ????

Sad :(
Vaibhav Mittal

1971
Hi

Got the Powerscore book and have read 1/3rd of it but with no success. I have understood the theory properly but when I tried the fundas on the question set at the end of each chapter, I got most of them wrong! No improvement in my accuracy even after studying this.

Now, this is insane and has hit my panic Button 😃

Any further advises. My exam is on Sept 29th and this is where I stand ????

Sad :(
Vaibhav Mittal


Vaibhav,
Dont get disheartened.

Here is a trick that always worked for me.
Pick up few easy CRs, some which you have already done from any book in the past. Say about 30 of them...make sure they are belong to the "easy" category for you.

Eradicate the timer, just plain read them. As if they were extremely simple problem solving questions. Since these were your 'easy' questions, you should nail them right off the bat, or even remember some of the answers.

1. Now go back and check any 50-50 answers that you would be tempted to chose on these CRs. Note them down.
2. Pick few other CRs from this subset where this time, after gaining all the experience, would make you chose other wise.
3. Analyze all the wrong answers and pat your back for not choosing them.

By these three steps you are determining, which half and half traps you were successful in avoiding, and which ones you fell for.
Also, you will be able to pinpoint, what you made 'more complicated' by over thinking, possibly because you are over picky and over nervous.
And you will be able to boost your morale from step 3.
1972

Small community hospitals in poor urban areas almost always operate at a loss due to an unfortunate cycle of factors. High revenue specialists, such as surgeons, flock to hospitals that are more prestigious and can afford to pay higher salaries. Aware of this, local residents patronize the more affluent nearby hospitals when they need specialty care or forgo care entirely, while only utilizing the local hospital for low-margin routine care. Further, a significant majority of the community uses government health plans, which reimburse poorly for routine care, or lacks insurance entirely and cannot pay. The local hospital then loses money and cannot afford to hire specialists to conduct the higher-margin specialty care.

Which of the following, if it could be accomplished, would best help small community hospitals to break the pattern described above?

A. Negotiate higher reimbursement rates for specialty care with both government health plans and private insurers.

B. Advertise the hospital's specialty care services in the local community as well as nearby communities to attract more business.

C. Partner with a nearby affluent hospital to contract its specialists on a part-time, as-needed basis, which is more affordable than hiring these specialists full time.

D. Launch a community outreach campaign to educate the public about the low reimbursement rates of government health plans compared with the high rates paid by private insurers.

E. Negotiate with private insurers for higher reimbursement rates for routine care.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local authorities are considering an amendment to the litter law that would raise the fine for littering in the community picnic area to $1,000. Since the inception of the litter law, incremental increases in the littering fine have proven to be consistently effective at further reducing the amount of litter in the community picnic area. However, raising the fine to $1,000 would actually have the unintended effect of increasing the amount of litter in the picnic area. Picnic area users would perceive this fine to be unreasonable and unenforceable, and would disregard the litter law altogether.

In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

A. The first is irrefutable evidence that the author offers in support of a prediction; the second is that prediction.

B. The first is a statement of causation that the author predicts will be repeated in the case at hand; the second raises evidence against this prediction.

C. The first is a statement of fact that the author accepts to be true; the second is presented as a consequence of this fact.

D. The first is evidence that weakens the main position that the author defends; the second is that position.

E. The first is a statement of causation that the author predicts will not hold in the case at hand; the second offers a line of reasoning to support this prediction.

1973
Small community hospitals in poor urban areas almost always operate at a loss due to an unfortunate cycle of factors. High revenue specialists, such as surgeons, flock to hospitals that are more prestigious and can afford to pay higher salaries. Aware of this, local residents patronize the more affluent nearby hospitals when they need specialty care or forgo care entirely, while only utilizing the local hospital for low-margin routine care. Further, a significant majority of the community uses government health plans, which reimburse poorly for routine care, or lacks insurance entirely and cannot pay. The local hospital then loses money and cannot afford to hire specialists to conduct the higher-margin specialty care.

Which of the following, if it could be accomplished, would best help small community hospitals to break the pattern described above?

A. Negotiate higher reimbursement rates for specialty care with both government health plans and private insurers.

B. Advertise the hospital's specialty care services in the local community as well as nearby communities to attract more business.

C. Partner with a nearby affluent hospital to contract its specialists on a part-time, as-needed basis, which is more affordable than hiring these specialists full time.

D. Launch a community outreach campaign to educate the public about the low reimbursement rates of government health plans compared with the high rates paid by private insurers.

E. Negotiate with private insurers for higher reimbursement rates for routine care.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local authorities are considering an amendment to the litter law that would raise the fine for littering in the community picnic area to $1,000. Since the inception of the litter law, incremental increases in the littering fine have proven to be consistently effective at further reducing the amount of litter in the community picnic area. However, raising the fine to $1,000 would actually have the unintended effect of increasing the amount of litter in the picnic area. Picnic area users would perceive this fine to be unreasonable and unenforceable, and would disregard the litter law altogether.

In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

A. The first is irrefutable evidence that the author offers in support of a prediction; the second is that prediction.

B. The first is a statement of causation that the author predicts will be repeated in the case at hand; the second raises evidence against this prediction.

C. The first is a statement of fact that the author accepts to be true; the second is presented as a consequence of this fact.

D. The first is evidence that weakens the main position that the author defends; the second is that position.

E. The first is a statement of causation that the author predicts will not hold in the case at hand; the second offers a line of reasoning to support this prediction.


First one: I will go with C
Second one, which ones are the bold faced statements ?
1974
First one: I will go with C
Second one, which ones are the bold faced statements ?


Oops!! :oops: i've updated my original post... thanks for pointing out!!
1975

IMO:

1. C
2. D

Please give us the OA.

Small community hospitals in poor urban areas almost always operate at a loss due to an unfortunate cycle of factors. High revenue specialists, such as surgeons, flock to hospitals that are more prestigious and can afford to pay higher salaries. Aware of this, local residents patronize the more affluent nearby hospitals when they need specialty care or forgo care entirely, while only utilizing the local hospital for low-margin routine care. Further, a significant majority of the community uses government health plans, which reimburse poorly for routine care, or lacks insurance entirely and cannot pay. The local hospital then loses money and cannot afford to hire specialists to conduct the higher-margin specialty care.

Which of the following, if it could be accomplished, would best help small community hospitals to break the pattern described above?

A. Negotiate higher reimbursement rates for specialty care with both government health plans and private insurers.

B. Advertise the hospital's specialty care services in the local community as well as nearby communities to attract more business.

C. Partner with a nearby affluent hospital to contract its specialists on a part-time, as-needed basis, which is more affordable than hiring these specialists full time.

D. Launch a community outreach campaign to educate the public about the low reimbursement rates of government health plans compared with the high rates paid by private insurers.

E. Negotiate with private insurers for higher reimbursement rates for routine care.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local authorities are considering an amendment to the litter law that would raise the fine for littering in the community picnic area to $1,000. Since the inception of the litter law, incremental increases in the littering fine have proven to be consistently effective at further reducing the amount of litter in the community picnic area. However, raising the fine to $1,000 would actually have the unintended effect of increasing the amount of litter in the picnic area. Picnic area users would perceive this fine to be unreasonable and unenforceable, and would disregard the litter law altogether.

In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

A. The first is irrefutable evidence that the author offers in support of a prediction; the second is that prediction.

B. The first is a statement of causation that the author predicts will be repeated in the case at hand; the second raises evidence against this prediction.

C. The first is a statement of fact that the author accepts to be true; the second is presented as a consequence of this fact.

D. The first is evidence that weakens the main position that the author defends; the second is that position.

E. The first is a statement of causation that the author predicts will not hold in the case at hand; the second offers a line of reasoning to support this prediction.
1976

Q1:

Damaged nerves in the spinal cord do not regenerate themselves naturally, nor even under the spur of nerve-growth stimulants. The reason, recently discovered, is the presence of nerve-growth inhibitors in the spinal cord. Antibodies that deactivate those inhibitors have now been developed. Clearly, then, nerve repair will be a standard medical procedure in the foreseeable future.

Which of the following, if true, casts the most serious doubt on the accuracy of the prediction above?

(A) Prevention of the regeneration of damaged nerves is merely a by-product of the main function in the human body of the substances inhibiting nerve growth.

(B) Certain nerve-growth stimulants have similar chemical structures to those of the antibodies against nerve-growth inhibitors.

(C) Nerves in the brain are similar to nerves in the spinal cord in their ability to regenerate themselves naturally.

(D) Researchers have been able to stimulate the growth of nerves not located in the spinal cord by using only nerve-growth stimulants.

(E) Deactivating the substances inhibiting nerve growth for an extended period would require a steady supply of antibodies.

1977

Q2:

Mechanicorps newest product costs so little to make that it appears doubtful the company will be able to sell it without increasing the markup the company usually allows for profit: potential clients would simply not believe that something so inexpensive would really work. Yet Mechanicorps reputation is built on fair prices incorporating only modest profit margins.

The statements above, if true, most strongly support which of the following?
(A) Mechanicorp will encounter difficulties in trying to set a price for its newest product that will promote sales without threatening to compromise the companys reputation.

(B) Mechanicorp achieves large annual profits, despite small profits per unit sold, by means of a high volume of sales.

(C) Mechanicorp made a significant computational error in calculating the production costs for its newest product.

(D) Mechanicorps newest product is intended to perform tasks that can be performed by other devices costing less to manufacture.

(E) Mechanicorps production processes are designed with the same ingenuity as are the products that the company makes.

1978
Q1:

Damaged nerves in the spinal cord do not regenerate themselves naturally, nor even under the spur of nerve-growth stimulants. The reason, recently discovered, is the presence of nerve-growth inhibitors in the spinal cord. Antibodies that deactivate those inhibitors have now been developed. Clearly, then, nerve repair will be a standard medical procedure in the foreseeable future.

Which of the following, if true, casts the most serious doubt on the accuracy of the prediction above?

(A) Prevention of the regeneration of damaged nerves is merely a by-product of the main function in the human body of the substances inhibiting nerve growth.
Nerve Growth inhibitors have other major functions in the body, if they are deactivated, the other functions will also get disturbed

(B) Certain nerve-growth stimulants have similar chemical structures to those of the antibodies against nerve-growth inhibitors.
So what, the antibodies can still prevent the effects of the nerve growth inhibitors

(C) Nerves in the brain are similar to nerves in the spinal cord in their ability to regenerate themselves naturally.
Out of scope

(D) Researchers have been able to stimulate the growth of nerves not located in the spinal cord by using only nerve-growth stimulants.
becoz inhibitors may be absent there.. Out of Scope

(E) Deactivating the substances inhibiting nerve growth for an extended period would require a steady supply of antibodies.
it may need a steady supply..... so what? doesn't weaken the conclusion

Stem : Damaged nerves can't regenerate themselves naturally or by stimulants because of nerve growth inhibitors.
Newly developed Antibodies can nullify effect of nerve growth inhibitors

Conclusion: Nerve repair can become std med procedure.

IMO - A
1979
q2:

Mechanicorp's newest product costs so little to make that it appears doubtful the company will be able to sell it without increasing the markup the company usually allows for profit: Potential clients would simply not believe that something so inexpensive would really work. Yet mechanicorp's reputation is built on fair prices incorporating only modest profit margins.

The statements above, if true, most strongly support which of the following?
(a) mechanicorp will encounter difficulties in trying to set a price for its newest product that will promote sales without threatening to compromise the company's reputation.

(b) mechanicorp achieves large annual profits, despite small profits per unit sold, by means of a high volume of sales.

(c) mechanicorp made a significant computational error in calculating the production costs for its newest product.

(d) mechanicorp's newest product is intended to perform tasks that can be performed by other devices costing less to manufacture.

(e) mechanicorp's production processes are designed with the same ingenuity as are the products that the company makes.

imo a

oa ?
1980
My answers: D, E

Explanations in Red.

ndhadha Says
imo -1)d 2)e


Hey vikram & nd... exactly d same choices i've marked what u puys 've marked . But d OAs are E) D). Des r from SC 1000 series test #8..
1981
sdt83 Says
Hey vikram & nd... exactly d same choices i've marked what u puys 've marked . But d OAs are E) D). Des r from SC 1000 series test #8..


@sdt83,

For the Ibora tree one,I'm pretty sure it's D, as I've come across this question somewhere before.... :o

About the second one, is thr any explanation that you can share?
1982

i'll just refer to d earlier post by riya_vr .. i found it convincing for d 2nd one..here it is.

Hardin argued that grazing land held in common (that is, open to any user) would always be used less carefully than private grazing land. Each rancher would be tempted to overuse common land because the benefits would accrue to the individual, while the costs of reduced land quality that results from overuse would be spread among all users. But a study comparing 217 million acres of common grazing land with 433 million acres of private grazing land showed that the common land was in better condition
Which of the following, if true, and known by the ranchers, would best help explain the results of the study?
(A) With private grazing land, both the costs and the benefits of overuse fall to the individual user.
(B) The cost in reduced land quality that is attributable to any individual user is less easily measured with common land than it is with private land.
(C) An individual who overuses common grazing land might be able to achieve higher returns than other users can, with the result that he or she would obtain a competitive advantage.
(D) If one user of common land overuses it even slightly, the other users are likely to do so even more, with the consequence that the costs to each user outweigh the benefits.
Here the consequences of overused land are to be borne by all users, irrespective of amount of overuse done by any person.... no user would prefer to pay for the land which he hasnt used as much as others... so that can be the reason for less use of common land.... so.(D)...

(E) There are more acres of grazing land held privately than there are held in common.

1983
Q1:

Damaged nerves in the spinal cord do not regenerate themselves naturally, nor even under the spur of nerve-growth stimulants. The reason, recently discovered, is the presence of nerve-growth inhibitors in the spinal cord. Antibodies that deactivate those inhibitors have now been developed. Clearly, then, nerve repair will be a standard medical procedure in the foreseeable future.

Which of the following, if true, casts the most serious doubt on the accuracy of the prediction above?

(A) Prevention of the regeneration of damaged nerves is merely a by-product of the main function in the human body of the substances inhibiting nerve growth.

(B) Certain nerve-growth stimulants have similar chemical structures to those of the antibodies against nerve-growth inhibitors.
what happens if they have similar structure,its not weakaning the prediction

(C) Nerves in the brain are similar to nerves in the spinal cord in their ability to regenerate themselves naturally.
out of context

(D) Researchers have been able to stimulate the growth of nerves not located in the spinal cord by using only nerve-growth stimulants.
may be the nerves present else where may be acting in adifferent manner
(E) Deactivating the substances inhibiting nerve growth for an extended period would require a steady supply of antibodies.

there is no where said that prelonged usage of antibodies is bad or some thing like taht