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The CFO attributes our increased sales last year to the new markets in Eastern Europe. Nevertheless, a careful study of our revenue reveals a boom of sales in Southeast Asia, while the markets in Eastern Europe, after an early surge, settled at levels much lower than expected. After all, in Eastern Europe, our firm has fierce competition from both German and Russian exports, some of which offer exceptionally high quality at low cost. By contrast, no producers in this sector operate to the East of Turkey, and our firm is the only one in our sector with significant inroads into India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Current plans call for expansion into Eastern Europe, but the Southeast Asian markets hold much more promise.
Q. In the argument given, the two portions in boldface (underlined) play which of the following roles?
  • a)
    The first provides evidence to support the conclusion; the second is that conclusion.
  • b)
    The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion the argument challenges; the second is a competing conclusion that the argument favors.
  • c)
    The first is an objection against a conclusion defended by the argument; the second is that conclusion.
  • d)
    The first is evidence that has been used to support an alternate conclusion that the author challenges; the second is this alternate conclusion.
  • e)
    The first is a claim, the accuracy of which is at issue in the argument; the second is a conclusion drawn on the basis of that claim.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
The CFO attributes our increased sales last year to the new markets in...
The credited answer is (A). The second bold statement is definitely the author's conclusion and the main conclusion of the argument. The first statement, a research study, is evidence, and it supports this conclusion.
It is true that the speaker challenges the CFO's argument, and the second bold statement, the main conclusion, could be seen as challenging the CFO's conclusion. BUT, the first bold statement supports the main conclusion, not the CFO's conclusion, so choice (B) is incorrect.
The bold statement could be seen as an objection against the CFO's conclusion, but his conclusion is not the main conclusion of the argument --- the second bold statement, the main conclusion, opposes what the CFO said. Choice (C) is incorrect.
It is true that the speaker is different from the CFO's argument, and the second bold statement, the main conclusion, could be seen as an alternative conclusion to the CFO's conclusion. BUT, the first bold statement supports the main conclusion, not the CFO's conclusion, so choice (D) is incorrect.
The first statement is not a claim, an opinion: it is a "careful study", which implies that the strength of its data is beyond dispute. A scientific research "study" would be evidence, not a claim. Choice (E) is incorrect.
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The CFO attributes our increased sales last year to the new markets in...
Understanding the Argument Structure
The argument presented analyzes sales performance across different markets, particularly contrasting Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. The boldface portions play specific roles in the argument's structure.

First Boldface Portion: Evidence for the Conclusion
- The first portion highlights that the CFO attributes increased sales to new markets in Eastern Europe.
- This statement serves as **evidence** supporting the conclusion that the firm should continue to focus on Eastern Europe for growth.

Second Boldface Portion: Conclusion of the Argument
- The second portion reveals the author’s conclusion that Southeast Asian markets hold more promise for future growth.
- This conclusion is based on the observation that sales in Southeast Asia have significantly outperformed those in Eastern Europe.

Why Option A is Correct
- The two boldface portions work together: the first provides a rationale (the CFO's attribution) for focusing on Eastern Europe, while the second counters this by presenting a more promising opportunity in Southeast Asia.
- The argument ultimately suggests a reevaluation of priorities based on actual revenue trends, favoring the Southeast Asian markets over Eastern Europe.

Conclusion
In summary, the first boldface portion acts as evidence supporting the CFO’s conclusion, while the second boldface portion presents the counter-conclusion favored by the author. This interplay clearly aligns with option A, making it the correct answer.
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The CFO attributes our increased sales last year to the new markets in Eastern Europe. Nevertheless, a careful study of our revenue reveals a boom of sales in Southeast Asia, while the markets in Eastern Europe, after an early surge, settled at levels much lower than expected. After all, in Eastern Europe, our firm has fierce competition from both German and Russian exports, some of which offer exceptionally high quality at low cost. By contrast, no producers in this sector operate to the East of Turkey, and our firm is the only one in our sector with significant inroads into India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Current plans call for expansion into Eastern Europe, but the Southeast Asian markets hold much more promise.Q. In the argument given, the two portions in boldface (underlined) play which of the following roles?a)The first provides evidence to support the conclusion; the second is that conclusion.b)The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion the argument challenges; the second is a competing conclusion that the argument favors.c)The first is an objection against a conclusion defended by the argument; the second is that conclusion.d)The first is evidence that has been used to support an alternate conclusion that the author challenges; the second is this alternate conclusion.e)The first is a claim, the accuracy of which is at issue in the argument; the second is a conclusion drawn on the basis of that claim.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
The CFO attributes our increased sales last year to the new markets in Eastern Europe. Nevertheless, a careful study of our revenue reveals a boom of sales in Southeast Asia, while the markets in Eastern Europe, after an early surge, settled at levels much lower than expected. After all, in Eastern Europe, our firm has fierce competition from both German and Russian exports, some of which offer exceptionally high quality at low cost. By contrast, no producers in this sector operate to the East of Turkey, and our firm is the only one in our sector with significant inroads into India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Current plans call for expansion into Eastern Europe, but the Southeast Asian markets hold much more promise.Q. In the argument given, the two portions in boldface (underlined) play which of the following roles?a)The first provides evidence to support the conclusion; the second is that conclusion.b)The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion the argument challenges; the second is a competing conclusion that the argument favors.c)The first is an objection against a conclusion defended by the argument; the second is that conclusion.d)The first is evidence that has been used to support an alternate conclusion that the author challenges; the second is this alternate conclusion.e)The first is a claim, the accuracy of which is at issue in the argument; the second is a conclusion drawn on the basis of that claim.Correct answer is option 'A'. 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 The CFO attributes our increased sales last year to the new markets in Eastern Europe. Nevertheless, a careful study of our revenue reveals a boom of sales in Southeast Asia, while the markets in Eastern Europe, after an early surge, settled at levels much lower than expected. After all, in Eastern Europe, our firm has fierce competition from both German and Russian exports, some of which offer exceptionally high quality at low cost. By contrast, no producers in this sector operate to the East of Turkey, and our firm is the only one in our sector with significant inroads into India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Current plans call for expansion into Eastern Europe, but the Southeast Asian markets hold much more promise.Q. In the argument given, the two portions in boldface (underlined) play which of the following roles?a)The first provides evidence to support the conclusion; the second is that conclusion.b)The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion the argument challenges; the second is a competing conclusion that the argument favors.c)The first is an objection against a conclusion defended by the argument; the second is that conclusion.d)The first is evidence that has been used to support an alternate conclusion that the author challenges; the second is this alternate conclusion.e)The first is a claim, the accuracy of which is at issue in the argument; the second is a conclusion drawn on the basis of that claim.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for The CFO attributes our increased sales last year to the new markets in Eastern Europe. Nevertheless, a careful study of our revenue reveals a boom of sales in Southeast Asia, while the markets in Eastern Europe, after an early surge, settled at levels much lower than expected. After all, in Eastern Europe, our firm has fierce competition from both German and Russian exports, some of which offer exceptionally high quality at low cost. By contrast, no producers in this sector operate to the East of Turkey, and our firm is the only one in our sector with significant inroads into India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Current plans call for expansion into Eastern Europe, but the Southeast Asian markets hold much more promise.Q. In the argument given, the two portions in boldface (underlined) play which of the following roles?a)The first provides evidence to support the conclusion; the second is that conclusion.b)The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion the argument challenges; the second is a competing conclusion that the argument favors.c)The first is an objection against a conclusion defended by the argument; the second is that conclusion.d)The first is evidence that has been used to support an alternate conclusion that the author challenges; the second is this alternate conclusion.e)The first is a claim, the accuracy of which is at issue in the argument; the second is a conclusion drawn on the basis of that claim.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
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In the argument given, the two portions in boldface (underlined) play which of the following roles?a)The first provides evidence to support the conclusion; the second is that conclusion.b)The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion the argument challenges; the second is a competing conclusion that the argument favors.c)The first is an objection against a conclusion defended by the argument; the second is that conclusion.d)The first is evidence that has been used to support an alternate conclusion that the author challenges; the second is this alternate conclusion.e)The first is a claim, the accuracy of which is at issue in the argument; the second is a conclusion drawn on the basis of that claim.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of The CFO attributes our increased sales last year to the new markets in Eastern Europe. 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In the argument given, the two portions in boldface (underlined) play which of the following roles?a)The first provides evidence to support the conclusion; the second is that conclusion.b)The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion the argument challenges; the second is a competing conclusion that the argument favors.c)The first is an objection against a conclusion defended by the argument; the second is that conclusion.d)The first is evidence that has been used to support an alternate conclusion that the author challenges; the second is this alternate conclusion.e)The first is a claim, the accuracy of which is at issue in the argument; the second is a conclusion drawn on the basis of that claim.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice The CFO attributes our increased sales last year to the new markets in Eastern Europe. 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In the argument given, the two portions in boldface (underlined) play which of the following roles?a)The first provides evidence to support the conclusion; the second is that conclusion.b)The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion the argument challenges; the second is a competing conclusion that the argument favors.c)The first is an objection against a conclusion defended by the argument; the second is that conclusion.d)The first is evidence that has been used to support an alternate conclusion that the author challenges; the second is this alternate conclusion.e)The first is a claim, the accuracy of which is at issue in the argument; the second is a conclusion drawn on the basis of that claim.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GMAT tests.
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