Test: Bold Face CR - GMAT MCQ

Situation: Homeowners in a condominium association can buy products and services collectively. A management company handles maintenance of condominium common areas.

Reasoning: What roles are played in the argument by the statement that a condominium generally offers more value for its cost than a house because of economies of scale and by the statement that condominium owners spend less time and money on maintenance than owners of individual homes do? In the passage, the first sentence (the first boldface statement) is a generalization. The second sentence provides an example of the economies of scale mentioned in the first sentence, so it helps support the first sentence as a conclusion. In the third sentence, the word since indicates that the first clause is a premise supporting the second clause (the second boldface statement) as a conclusion. That conclusion itself provides another example of the economies of scale mentioned in the first sentence, so it also helps support that first sentence as a conclusion.

Option A is Correct. As explained above, the first boldface statement is supported by the rest of the statements in the argument, so it is the main conclusion. The second boldface statement supports the first, but is itself a conclusion supported by the since clause preceding it.
Option B is incorrect. The second and third sentences in the argument provide examples of economies of scale. These examples are evidence supporting the first boldface statement as a conclusion.
Option C is incorrect. Since the second boldface statement provides evidence of the economies of scale described by the first, it supports the first as a conclusion.
Option D is incorrect. The since clause immediately preceding the second boldface statement provides evidence that supports it, so the second boldface statement is a conclusion.
Option E is incorrect. Both the second and the third sentences of the argument support the first boldface statement as a conclusion. And the since clause immediately preceding the second boldface statement supports it as a conclusion.

Conclusion: Hence, scholarship grants should not be used to help students cover the cost of school.
Premise: One of the most valuable lessons a person can learn is the value of independence and self-sufficiency. Unlike loans, which must be repaid from later earnings, or work-study programs, which require students to perform some task in exchange for financial assistance, scholarship grants do little to encourage independence or self-sufficiency.

This is an ID the Reasoning question, as evidenced by Which of the following best describes the role played by the bolded phrase. The passage states that One of the most valuable lessons a person can learn is the value of independence and self-sufficiency. Using the evidence Unlike loans…scholarship grants do little to encourage independence or self-sufficiency, the author concludes scholarship grants should not be used to help students cover the cost of school.

The passage contains a planning reasoning pattern, which concludes with a plan or recommendation for action. The plan is the recommendation that scholarship grants should not be used to help students cover the cost of school. Thus, the bolded phrase is the author’s central claim or conclusion. Evaluate the answers, looking for one that reflects this idea.

Choice A: No. This choice describes something the argument did not do. The bolded phrase does not provide necessary support for the conclusion because the fact that scholarship grants should not be used to help students cover the cost of school is the author’s central claim.

Choice B: No. The fact that this statement is a general principle only partially matches. The passage states that The main purpose of a university is to educate people and prepare them to lead fulfilling lives. Thus, the bolded phrase is a specific recommendation for action to help achieve the main purpose.

Choice C: No. The fact that the bolded phrase is a conclusion only partially matches. The statement scholarship grants should not be used to help students cover the cost of school is a recommendation by the author, not in opposition to that of the author.

Choice D: Correct. The author uses the facts that scholarship grants do little to encourage independence or self-sufficiency and one of the most valuable lessons a person can learn is the value of independence and self-sufficiency in order to prove that scholarship grants should not be used to help students cover the cost of school.

Choice E: No. The phrase summarizes a position only partially matches and unsupported by the evidence is false. The author cites the facts that scholarship grants do little to encourage independence or self-sufficiency and one of the most valuable lessons a person can learn is the value of independence and self-sufficiency.

The correct answer is choice D.

The correct answer is (C) The first is an interpretation of evidence offered in support of the main conclusion; the second is other evidence offered in support of the main conclusion.

In the argument, the first boldfaced selection states that only the white version of moths can be found in the original, residential part of City X, while both white and black moths can be found in the industrial area. This is interpreted as indicating that the black moth in City X is a recent evolutionary development. The first boldfaced selection provides evidence to support the main conclusion of the argument.

The second boldfaced selection states that mutant black moths living near the factories in the industrial area had a competitive survival advantage due to their ability to blend in better with the sooty air and buildings. This is additional evidence offered to support the main conclusion of the argument.

Therefore, (C) accurately describes the roles played by the boldfaced selections in the argument.

A. The first describes a belief to which the scientist subscribes; the second is evidence in support of this belief.
This option suggests that the scientist holds a particular belief, and the second boldface portion provides evidence to support that belief. However, this is not the case in the argument. The first boldface portion describes a common belief, but the scientist later deems it ill-conceived, indicating disagreement with that belief. Therefore, option A is not the correct choice.

B. The first describes a common belief that the scientist later deems to be ill-conceived; the second is evidence against this belief.
This option accurately represents the argument. The first boldface portion describes a common belief about the Earth's seasons, which the scientist challenges as ill-conceived. The second boldface portion presents evidence that contradicts the belief, reinforcing the scientist's position. Hence, option B correctly captures the roles of the boldface portions in the argument.

C. The first is a statement presented in support of the scientist's final conclusion; the second is the scientist's conclusion.
This option misrepresents the structure of the argument. The first boldface portion is not a statement presented in support of the scientist's final conclusion but rather a statement of a commonly held belief. The second boldface portion is not the scientist's conclusion but rather evidence against the common belief. Therefore, option C is not the correct choice.

D. The first describes a commonly held belief that is contrary to the scientist's final conclusion; the second is evidence in support of this belief.
This option inaccurately portrays the scientist's perspective and the relationship between the boldface portions. The first boldface portion does describe a commonly held belief that is contrary to the scientist's final conclusion. However, the second boldface portion does not support this belief but rather provides evidence against it. Therefore, option D is not the correct choice.

E. The first describes a common belief that follows logically from the statement before it; the second is factual information that the scientist deems to be irrelevant to her argument.
This option does not accurately represent the argument structure. The first boldface portion is not a belief that follows logically from the preceding statement but is rather a statement of a commonly held belief. The second boldface portion is not deemed irrelevant but rather serves as evidence against the common belief. Hence, option E is not the correct choice.

In summary, option B is the most accurate representation of the roles played by the boldface portions in the argument.

A. The first is a premise; the second is a generality.
This option suggests that the first boldface portion is a premise, a statement that supports the argument, while the second boldface portion is a generality, a broad statement or observation. However, in the argument, the first boldface portion is not a premise but a condition that sets the context for the scenario. The second boldface portion is a premise that provides specific information about the duration of the journey based on the given conditions. Therefore, option A is not the correct choice.

B. The first is an inference; the second is a conclusion.
This option suggests that the first boldface portion is an inference, a logical deduction, while the second boldface portion is a conclusion, the main point or final result. However, in the argument, the first boldface portion is not an inference but a condition that establishes the context. The second boldface portion is a premise providing specific information about the duration of the journey based on the given conditions. Therefore, option B is not the correct choice.

C. The first is a conclusion; the second is a piece of evidence.
This option suggests that the first boldface portion is a conclusion, the main point or final result, while the second boldface portion is a piece of evidence that supports this conclusion. However, in the argument, the first boldface portion is not a conclusion but a condition that sets the context. The second boldface portion is a premise providing specific information about the duration of the journey based on the given conditions. Therefore, option C is not the correct choice.

D. The first is a condition; the second is a premise limited by the first.
This option accurately represents the argument. The first boldface portion is a condition that sets the context for the scenario, including factors like the absence of monsoons and the inclusion of half-hour stops every 4 hours. The second boldface portion is a premise providing specific information about the duration of the journey based on the given conditions. Therefore, option D correctly describes the roles played by the boldface portions in the argument.

E. The first is an opinion; the second is the conclusion which leads to that opinion.
This option suggests that the first boldface portion is an opinion, a subjective viewpoint, while the second boldface portion is a conclusion that leads to that opinion. However, in the argument, neither of the boldface portions is an opinion. The first boldface portion is a condition, and the second boldface portion is a premise providing specific information about the duration of the journey based on the given conditions. Therefore, option E is not the correct choice.

In summary, option D is the most accurate representation of the roles played by the boldface portions in the argument.

A. The first is evidence describing a relationship of cause and effect; the second is the conclusion supported by the first.
This option suggests that the first boldface portion provides evidence describing a cause and effect relationship, and the second boldface portion is the conclusion that is supported by the first. However, in the argument, the first boldface portion describes a rise in the price of oil and subsequently the price of fuel, but it does not explicitly establish a cause and effect relationship. The second boldface portion does not serve as a conclusion supported by the first but rather provides a prediction based on the growing competition in the market of intra-continental flights. Therefore, option A is not the correct choice.

B. The first describes a relationship of cause and effect, which contradicts the argument's main point; the second is another causal relationship that supports it.
This option suggests that the first boldface portion describes a cause and effect relationship that contradicts the main point of the argument. However, the argument does not explicitly establish a cause and effect relationship in the first boldface portion. The second boldface portion does not present another causal relationship but rather mentions the growing competition in the market of intra-continental flights as a factor that may prevent prices from rising dramatically. Therefore, option B is not the correct choice.

C. The first is evidence describing an initial situation; the second is a prediction based mainly on information that the first does not provide.
This option accurately represents the argument. The first boldface portion provides evidence that describes an initial situation, namely the rise in the price of oil and subsequently the price of fuel. The second boldface portion is a prediction that is based mainly on information that the first boldface portion does not explicitly provide, specifically the growing competition in the market of intra-continental flights. Therefore, option C correctly describes the roles played by the boldface portions in the argument.

D. The first is evidence describing an initial situation; the second is a final piece of evidence that is not followed by a conclusion.
This option suggests that the first boldface portion serves as evidence describing an initial situation. This is accurate, as the rise in the price of oil and subsequently the price of fuel is presented as evidence. However, the second boldface portion is not a final piece of evidence but rather a prediction based on the growing competition in the market of intra-continental flights. Therefore, option D is not the correct choice.

E. The first is a fact in support of the author's prediction; the second is an opinion that is irrelevant to the author's prediction.
This option suggests that the first boldface portion is a fact that supports the author's prediction, while the second boldface portion is an opinion that is irrelevant to the author's prediction. However, the first boldface portion is not a fact directly supporting the prediction but rather provides evidence of the initial situation. The second boldface portion is not an opinion but rather a prediction based on the growing competition in the market of intra-continental flights. Therefore, option E is not the correct choice.

In summary, option C is the most accurate representation of the roles played by the boldface portions in the argument.

(A) It is the author's primary conclusion:
This option suggests that the highlighted sentence is the main conclusion or main point of the author's argument. However, the highlighted sentence is not the ultimate conclusion of the passage; it is a supporting statement that contributes to the author's overall argument.

(B) It uses an example and analogy to add emphasis:
This option accurately describes the purpose of the highlighted sentence. The author uses an example (the distinction between dogs and snakes) and an analogy (the distinction between humans and dogs) to emphasize the idea that all animals should be granted the same rights, regardless of their perceived aesthetic appeal.

(C) It is the primary support of the conclusion:
This option suggests that the highlighted sentence is the main supporting point for the author's overall conclusion. While the highlighted sentence does provide support for the author's argument, it is not the primary support. The primary support would likely be the combination of various statements and evidence throughout the passage.

(D) It implicitly rebuts criticism of the author's main point:
This option suggests that the highlighted sentence serves as a rebuttal to criticism of the author's main point. However, the sentence itself does not directly address or rebut any specific criticism. It is more focused on reinforcing the author's argument by highlighting the inconsistency in granting rights to certain animals while denying them to others.

(E) It is irrelevant to the phenomenon described:
This option suggests that the highlighted sentence is irrelevant or unrelated to the phenomenon or argument described in the passage. However, the sentence is indeed relevant to the phenomenon being discussed, as it reinforces the author's argument about granting equal rights to all animals.

Overall, option (B) best describes the purpose of the sentence highlighted in bold. It adds emphasis to the author's argument through the use of an example and an analogy.

In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play the following roles:

C. The first presents a plan, one of whose consequences is debated in the argument; the second is the speaker's conclusion about this consequence.

Let's break down the argument to understand why this is the correct answer:

The first portion in boldface states the plan of the hospital administrator to diversify the hospital's sources of income by developing outpatient services. It mentions the specific services that will be provided on the hospital premises.

The second portion in boldface presents the criticism raised by the critics, who argue that similar plans have not worked in other hospitals because the funds raised through insurance payments far outweigh the money that will be brought in through these additional services.

The argument then concludes that despite the criticism, this initiative will not result in a reduction of the hospital's income. It supports this conclusion by stating that major service providers have committed to moving their main branches to HealthWize Hospital, which will attract people from neighboring areas and make this initiative more popular than similar ones in other hospitals.

Therefore, the first boldface portion presents the plan and its consequence being debated, while the second boldface portion is the speaker's conclusion about this consequence. Option (C) accurately captures this relationship between the boldface portions.

The conclusion of this argument is the first sentence: “Addiction control programs that guarantee results mislead their customers.” The rest of the stimulus is evidence in support of that conclusion. The correct answer will state the first boldface portion as the conclusion, and the second boldface portion as evidence in support of the conclusion.

(A) The first is a generalization; the second is a consequence of that generalization

The first boldface portion is a clear assertion, not a generalization. The second boldface portion is not a consequence of the first.

(B) The first is Dr. Nash’s position; the second is a consideration in support of that position.

CORRECT. The first boldface portion is Dr. Nash's position, or conclusion. The second boldface portion is a consideration in support of the position stated in the first boldface portion.

(C) The first is an opinion under examination; the second is evidence weighing against that opinion.

The second boldface portion is evidence in support of the opinion stated in the first boldface portion, and not weighing against it.

(D) The first is an assertion that the Dr. Nash questions; the second is evidence in support of that assertion.

The first boldface portion is Dr. Nash’s assertion, not the one that he questions.

(E) The first is evidence in support of the Dr. Nash’s main point; the second is his main point.

The first boldface portion is the Dr. Nash’s main point, not evidence in support of it. The second boldface portion is not his main point, but a support for it. This answer choice incorrectly reverses the roles that each of the boldfaced portions play in the argument.

A. It is used to disprove the vegetarian position that we should not eat meat.
This option is not accurate because the boldfaced part does not aim to disprove the vegetarian position. It introduces a hypothetical scenario to explore the impact of health considerations on the aversion to living at the expense of other conscious creatures.

B. It is used to show that the two types of reasons cited in favor of vegetarianism are independent.
This option is not accurate either. The boldfaced part does not address the relationship between the two types of reasons cited in favor of vegetarianism. It focuses on the potential impact of health considerations on the aversion to living at the expense of other conscious creatures.

C. It is used to disprove the claim that a vegetarian diet is healthy.
The boldfaced part does not aim to disprove the claim that a vegetarian diet is healthy. Instead, it presents a hypothetical situation where eating meat is essential to good health to explore the implications on the aversion to living at the expense of other conscious creatures.

D. It is used to weaken the claim that the consciousness of animals is a sufficient reason for not eating meat.
This option accurately describes the role played by the boldfaced part in the argument. By presenting a hypothetical scenario where meat is essential for good health, it challenges the sufficiency of consciousness-based reasons for not eating meat.

E. It is used to show that there is no sufficient reason for not eating meat.
This option is not accurate. The boldfaced part does not aim to establish that there is no sufficient reason for not eating meat. It introduces a hypothetical scenario to examine the impact of health considerations on the aversion to living at the expense of other conscious creatures.

Therefore, the correct answer is D. It is used to weaken the claim that the consciousness of animals is a sufficient reason for not eating meat.