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Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.
In 1998 the United States Department of Transportation received nearly 10,000 consumer complaints about airlines; in 1999 it received over 20,000. Moreover, the number of complaints per 100,000 passengers also more than doubled. In both years the vast majority of complaints concerned flight delays, cancellations, mishandled baggage, and customer service. Clearly, therefore, despite the United States airline industry’s serious efforts to improve performance in these areas, passenger dissatisfaction with airline service increased significantly in 1999.
Q. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?
  • a)
    Although the percentage of flights that arrived on time dropped slightly overall, from 77 percent in 1998 to 76 percent in 1999, some United States airlines’ 1999 on-time rate was actually better than their 1998 on-time rate.
  • b)
    The number of passengers flying on United States airlines was significantly higher in 1999 than in 1998.
  • c)
    Fewer bags per 1,000 passengers flying on United States airlines were lost or delayed in 1999 than in 1998.
  • d)
    The appearance in 1999 of many new Internet sites that relay complaints directly to the Department of Transportation has made filing a complaint about airlines much easier for consumers than ever before.
  • e)
    Although the number of consumer complaints increased for every major United States airline in 1999, for some airlines the extent of the increase was substantial, whereas for others it was extremely small.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.I...
Explanation:

Analysis of Option D:

- Option D weakens the argument by suggesting that the increase in consumer complaints in 1999 may be partially attributed to the ease of filing complaints through new Internet sites.
- This implies that the increase in complaints may not necessarily be due to a decline in airline service quality, but rather an increase in accessibility and convenience for consumers to voice their grievances.
- Therefore, the argument that passenger dissatisfaction with airline service increased significantly in 1999 may be less valid if the increase in complaints is influenced by external factors such as the availability of new complaint channels.

Overall Weakness of the Argument:

- The argument relies heavily on the increase in consumer complaints as a measure of passenger dissatisfaction with airline service.
- However, it fails to consider other potential factors that may have contributed to the rise in complaints, such as the ease of filing complaints through new Internet sites.
- By overlooking these alternative explanations for the increase in complaints, the argument may be overstating the extent of passenger dissatisfaction with airline service in 1999.
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Community Answer
Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.I...
The passage describes two different year-over-year increases in airline passenger complaints: both the absolute number of complaints and the rate of complaints more than doubled from 1998 to 1999. From these facts, the author of the passage concludes that passenger dissatisfaction with airline service significantly increased in the same period.
Choice D is the correct answer: it weakens the argument because it presents a scenario in which the increase in complaints and in the rate of complaints could merely be the result of an easier means of filing complaints, not an actual increase in passenger dissatisfaction.
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PASSAGE:Recent years have brought minority-owned businesses in the United States unprecedented opportunities—as well as new and significant risks. Civil rights activists have long argued that one of the principal reasons why Blacks, Hispanics, and other minority groups have difficulty establishing themselves in business is that they lack access to the sizable orders and subcontracts that are generated by large companies. Now Congress, in apparent agreement, has required by law that businesses awarded federal contracts of more than $500,000 do their best to find minority subcontractors and record their efforts to do so on forms filed with the government. Indeed, some federal and local agencies have gone so far as to set specific percentage goals for apportioning parts of public works contracts to minority enterprises.Corporate response appears to have been substantial. According to figures collected in 1977, the total of corporate contracts with minority businesses rose from $77 million to $1.1 billion in 1977. The projected total of corporate contracts with minority businesses for the early 1980s is estimated to be over $3 billion per year with no letup anticipated in the next decade. Promising as it is for minority businesses, this increased patronage poses dangers for them, too. First, minority firms risk expanding too fast and overextending themselves financially, since most are small concerns and, unlike large businesses, they often need to make substantial investments in new plants, staff, equipment, and the like in order to perform work subcontracted to them. If, thereafter, their subcontracts are for some reason reduced, such firms can face potentially crippling fixed expenses. The world of corporate purchasing can be frustrating for small entrepreneurs who get requests for elaborate formal estimates and bids. Both consume valuable time and resources, and a small companys efforts must soon result in orders, or both the morale and the financial health of the business will suffer.A second risk is that White-owned companies may seek to cash in on the increasing apportionments through the formation of joint ventures with minority-owned concerns. Of course, in many instances there are legitimate reasons for joint ventures; clearly, white and minority enterprises can team up to acquire business that neither could secure alone. Third, a minority enterprise that secures the business of one large corporate customer often runs the danger of becoming—and remaining—dependent. Even in the best of circumstances, fierce competition from larger, more established companies makes it difficult for small concerns to broaden their customer bases; when such firms have nearly guaranteed orders from a single corporate benefactor, they may truly have to struggle against complacency arising from their current success.Q. The author would most likely agree with which of the following statements about corporate response to working with minority subcontractors?

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Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.In 1998 the United States Department of Transportation received nearly 10,000 consumer complaints about airlines; in 1999 it received over 20,000. Moreover, the number of complaints per 100,000 passengers also more than doubled. In both years the vast majority of complaints concerned flight delays, cancellations, mishandled baggage, and customer service. Clearly, therefore, despite the United States airline industry’s serious efforts to improve performance in these areas, passenger dissatisfaction with airline service increased significantly in 1999.Q. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?a)Although the percentage of flights that arrived on time dropped slightly overall, from 77 percent in 1998 to 76 percent in 1999, some United States airlines’ 1999 on-time rate was actually better than their 1998 on-time rate.b)The number of passengers flying on United States airlines was significantly higher in 1999 than in 1998.c)Fewer bags per 1,000 passengers flying on United States airlines were lost or delayed in 1999 than in 1998.d)The appearance in 1999 of many new Internet sites that relay complaints directly to the Department of Transportation has made filing a complaint about airlines much easier for consumers than ever before.e)Although the number of consumer complaints increased for every major United States airline in 1999, for some airlines the extent of the increase was substantial, whereas for others it was extremely small.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.In 1998 the United States Department of Transportation received nearly 10,000 consumer complaints about airlines; in 1999 it received over 20,000. Moreover, the number of complaints per 100,000 passengers also more than doubled. In both years the vast majority of complaints concerned flight delays, cancellations, mishandled baggage, and customer service. Clearly, therefore, despite the United States airline industry’s serious efforts to improve performance in these areas, passenger dissatisfaction with airline service increased significantly in 1999.Q. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?a)Although the percentage of flights that arrived on time dropped slightly overall, from 77 percent in 1998 to 76 percent in 1999, some United States airlines’ 1999 on-time rate was actually better than their 1998 on-time rate.b)The number of passengers flying on United States airlines was significantly higher in 1999 than in 1998.c)Fewer bags per 1,000 passengers flying on United States airlines were lost or delayed in 1999 than in 1998.d)The appearance in 1999 of many new Internet sites that relay complaints directly to the Department of Transportation has made filing a complaint about airlines much easier for consumers than ever before.e)Although the number of consumer complaints increased for every major United States airline in 1999, for some airlines the extent of the increase was substantial, whereas for others it was extremely small.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for GRE 2024 is part of GRE preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GRE exam syllabus. Information about Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.In 1998 the United States Department of Transportation received nearly 10,000 consumer complaints about airlines; in 1999 it received over 20,000. Moreover, the number of complaints per 100,000 passengers also more than doubled. In both years the vast majority of complaints concerned flight delays, cancellations, mishandled baggage, and customer service. Clearly, therefore, despite the United States airline industry’s serious efforts to improve performance in these areas, passenger dissatisfaction with airline service increased significantly in 1999.Q. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?a)Although the percentage of flights that arrived on time dropped slightly overall, from 77 percent in 1998 to 76 percent in 1999, some United States airlines’ 1999 on-time rate was actually better than their 1998 on-time rate.b)The number of passengers flying on United States airlines was significantly higher in 1999 than in 1998.c)Fewer bags per 1,000 passengers flying on United States airlines were lost or delayed in 1999 than in 1998.d)The appearance in 1999 of many new Internet sites that relay complaints directly to the Department of Transportation has made filing a complaint about airlines much easier for consumers than ever before.e)Although the number of consumer complaints increased for every major United States airline in 1999, for some airlines the extent of the increase was substantial, whereas for others it was extremely small.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GRE 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.In 1998 the United States Department of Transportation received nearly 10,000 consumer complaints about airlines; in 1999 it received over 20,000. Moreover, the number of complaints per 100,000 passengers also more than doubled. In both years the vast majority of complaints concerned flight delays, cancellations, mishandled baggage, and customer service. Clearly, therefore, despite the United States airline industry’s serious efforts to improve performance in these areas, passenger dissatisfaction with airline service increased significantly in 1999.Q. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?a)Although the percentage of flights that arrived on time dropped slightly overall, from 77 percent in 1998 to 76 percent in 1999, some United States airlines’ 1999 on-time rate was actually better than their 1998 on-time rate.b)The number of passengers flying on United States airlines was significantly higher in 1999 than in 1998.c)Fewer bags per 1,000 passengers flying on United States airlines were lost or delayed in 1999 than in 1998.d)The appearance in 1999 of many new Internet sites that relay complaints directly to the Department of Transportation has made filing a complaint about airlines much easier for consumers than ever before.e)Although the number of consumer complaints increased for every major United States airline in 1999, for some airlines the extent of the increase was substantial, whereas for others it was extremely small.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.In 1998 the United States Department of Transportation received nearly 10,000 consumer complaints about airlines; in 1999 it received over 20,000. Moreover, the number of complaints per 100,000 passengers also more than doubled. In both years the vast majority of complaints concerned flight delays, cancellations, mishandled baggage, and customer service. Clearly, therefore, despite the United States airline industry’s serious efforts to improve performance in these areas, passenger dissatisfaction with airline service increased significantly in 1999.Q. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?a)Although the percentage of flights that arrived on time dropped slightly overall, from 77 percent in 1998 to 76 percent in 1999, some United States airlines’ 1999 on-time rate was actually better than their 1998 on-time rate.b)The number of passengers flying on United States airlines was significantly higher in 1999 than in 1998.c)Fewer bags per 1,000 passengers flying on United States airlines were lost or delayed in 1999 than in 1998.d)The appearance in 1999 of many new Internet sites that relay complaints directly to the Department of Transportation has made filing a complaint about airlines much easier for consumers than ever before.e)Although the number of consumer complaints increased for every major United States airline in 1999, for some airlines the extent of the increase was substantial, whereas for others it was extremely small.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for GRE. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for GRE Exam by signing up for free.
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Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?a)Although the percentage of flights that arrived on time dropped slightly overall, from 77 percent in 1998 to 76 percent in 1999, some United States airlines’ 1999 on-time rate was actually better than their 1998 on-time rate.b)The number of passengers flying on United States airlines was significantly higher in 1999 than in 1998.c)Fewer bags per 1,000 passengers flying on United States airlines were lost or delayed in 1999 than in 1998.d)The appearance in 1999 of many new Internet sites that relay complaints directly to the Department of Transportation has made filing a complaint about airlines much easier for consumers than ever before.e)Although the number of consumer complaints increased for every major United States airline in 1999, for some airlines the extent of the increase was substantial, whereas for others it was extremely small.Correct answer is option 'D'. 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Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?a)Although the percentage of flights that arrived on time dropped slightly overall, from 77 percent in 1998 to 76 percent in 1999, some United States airlines’ 1999 on-time rate was actually better than their 1998 on-time rate.b)The number of passengers flying on United States airlines was significantly higher in 1999 than in 1998.c)Fewer bags per 1,000 passengers flying on United States airlines were lost or delayed in 1999 than in 1998.d)The appearance in 1999 of many new Internet sites that relay complaints directly to the Department of Transportation has made filing a complaint about airlines much easier for consumers than ever before.e)Although the number of consumer complaints increased for every major United States airline in 1999, for some airlines the extent of the increase was substantial, whereas for others it was extremely small.Correct answer is option 'D'. 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Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?a)Although the percentage of flights that arrived on time dropped slightly overall, from 77 percent in 1998 to 76 percent in 1999, some United States airlines’ 1999 on-time rate was actually better than their 1998 on-time rate.b)The number of passengers flying on United States airlines was significantly higher in 1999 than in 1998.c)Fewer bags per 1,000 passengers flying on United States airlines were lost or delayed in 1999 than in 1998.d)The appearance in 1999 of many new Internet sites that relay complaints directly to the Department of Transportation has made filing a complaint about airlines much easier for consumers than ever before.e)Although the number of consumer complaints increased for every major United States airline in 1999, for some airlines the extent of the increase was substantial, whereas for others it was extremely small.Correct answer is option 'D'. 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Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?a)Although the percentage of flights that arrived on time dropped slightly overall, from 77 percent in 1998 to 76 percent in 1999, some United States airlines’ 1999 on-time rate was actually better than their 1998 on-time rate.b)The number of passengers flying on United States airlines was significantly higher in 1999 than in 1998.c)Fewer bags per 1,000 passengers flying on United States airlines were lost or delayed in 1999 than in 1998.d)The appearance in 1999 of many new Internet sites that relay complaints directly to the Department of Transportation has made filing a complaint about airlines much easier for consumers than ever before.e)Although the number of consumer complaints increased for every major United States airline in 1999, for some airlines the extent of the increase was substantial, whereas for others it was extremely small.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.In 1998 the United States Department of Transportation received nearly 10,000 consumer complaints about airlines; in 1999 it received over 20,000. Moreover, the number of complaints per 100,000 passengers also more than doubled. In both years the vast majority of complaints concerned flight delays, cancellations, mishandled baggage, and customer service. Clearly, therefore, despite the United States airline industry’s serious efforts to improve performance in these areas, passenger dissatisfaction with airline service increased significantly in 1999.Q. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?a)Although the percentage of flights that arrived on time dropped slightly overall, from 77 percent in 1998 to 76 percent in 1999, some United States airlines’ 1999 on-time rate was actually better than their 1998 on-time rate.b)The number of passengers flying on United States airlines was significantly higher in 1999 than in 1998.c)Fewer bags per 1,000 passengers flying on United States airlines were lost or delayed in 1999 than in 1998.d)The appearance in 1999 of many new Internet sites that relay complaints directly to the Department of Transportation has made filing a complaint about airlines much easier for consumers than ever before.e)Although the number of consumer complaints increased for every major United States airline in 1999, for some airlines the extent of the increase was substantial, whereas for others it was extremely small.Correct answer is option 'D'. 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