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Since Professor Smythe has been head of the department, the most distinguished member of the faculty has resigned, fewer new courses have been developed, student has dropped, and the reputation of the department has gone down. These facts provide conclusive evidence that Professor Smythe was appointed to undermine the department.
The reasoning in the argument is flawed because the argument
  • a)
    overlooks the fact that something can have the reputation for being of poor quality without being of poor quality
  • b)
    bases a general claim on a few exceptional instances
  • c)
    assumes that because an action was followed by a change, the action was undertaken to bring about that change
  • d)
    fails to distinguish between a decline in quantity and a decline in quality
  • e)
    presupposes what it purports to establish
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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Since Professor Smythe has been head of the department, the most disti...
(A) Overlooks the fact that something can have the reputation for being of poor quality without being of poor quality: This option suggests that the argument fails to consider that the department may have had a poor reputation even before Professor Smythe became the head. However, this is not the main flaw in the argument. The primary flaw lies in assuming a causal relationship between Professor Smythe's actions and the negative changes in the department, as mentioned in option (C).
(B) Bases a general claim on a few exceptional instances: This option suggests that the argument makes a general claim about Professor Smythe's appointment undermining the department based on a few exceptional instances, such as the resignation of a distinguished faculty member and a decline in certain aspects. However, this is not the main flaw in the argument. The main flaw is assuming a causal link without sufficient evidence, as mentioned in option (C).
(C) Assumes that because an action was followed by a change, the action was undertaken to bring about that change: This option correctly identifies the flaw in the argument. The argument assumes that the negative changes observed in the department (resignation, fewer courses, student dropouts, declining reputation) were directly caused by Professor Smythe's actions as head of the department. It assumes a causal relationship without providing sufficient evidence or considering alternative explanations.
(D) Fails to distinguish between a decline in quantity and a decline in quality: This option suggests that the argument overlooks the distinction between a decline in the quantity of certain aspects (such as courses and students) and a decline in the quality of the department. However, the argument does not specifically make claims about the decline in quality. The primary flaw lies in assuming causation without adequate evidence, as mentioned in option (C).
(E) Presupposes what it purports to establish: This option suggests that the argument assumes what it is trying to prove, namely, that Professor Smythe was appointed to undermine the department. However, the argument does not explicitly state this assumption. The main flaw lies in assuming a causal relationship without sufficient evidence, as mentioned in option (C).
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Since Professor Smythe has been head of the department, the most distinguished member of the faculty has resigned, fewer new courses have been developed, student has dropped, and the reputation of the department has gone down. These facts provide conclusive evidence that Professor Smythe was appointed to undermine the department.The reasoning in the argument is flawed because the argumenta)overlooks the fact that something can have the reputation for being of poor quality without being of poor qualityb)bases a general claim on a few exceptional instancesc)assumes that because an action was followed by a change, the action was undertaken to bring about that changed)fails to distinguish between a decline in quantity and a decline in qualitye)presupposes what it purports to establishCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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Since Professor Smythe has been head of the department, the most distinguished member of the faculty has resigned, fewer new courses have been developed, student has dropped, and the reputation of the department has gone down. These facts provide conclusive evidence that Professor Smythe was appointed to undermine the department.The reasoning in the argument is flawed because the argumenta)overlooks the fact that something can have the reputation for being of poor quality without being of poor qualityb)bases a general claim on a few exceptional instancesc)assumes that because an action was followed by a change, the action was undertaken to bring about that changed)fails to distinguish between a decline in quantity and a decline in qualitye)presupposes what it purports to establishCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2024 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about Since Professor Smythe has been head of the department, the most distinguished member of the faculty has resigned, fewer new courses have been developed, student has dropped, and the reputation of the department has gone down. These facts provide conclusive evidence that Professor Smythe was appointed to undermine the department.The reasoning in the argument is flawed because the argumenta)overlooks the fact that something can have the reputation for being of poor quality without being of poor qualityb)bases a general claim on a few exceptional instancesc)assumes that because an action was followed by a change, the action was undertaken to bring about that changed)fails to distinguish between a decline in quantity and a decline in qualitye)presupposes what it purports to establishCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Since Professor Smythe has been head of the department, the most distinguished member of the faculty has resigned, fewer new courses have been developed, student has dropped, and the reputation of the department has gone down. These facts provide conclusive evidence that Professor Smythe was appointed to undermine the department.The reasoning in the argument is flawed because the argumenta)overlooks the fact that something can have the reputation for being of poor quality without being of poor qualityb)bases a general claim on a few exceptional instancesc)assumes that because an action was followed by a change, the action was undertaken to bring about that changed)fails to distinguish between a decline in quantity and a decline in qualitye)presupposes what it purports to establishCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
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