Test: Strengthen Argument - GMAT MCQ

Let's analyze each answer choice and determine which one provides the strongest support for the market researchers' claim.

(A) Even consumers who are unable to explain their preference for or rejection of particular brands reveal which brands they are considering by picking up and putting down products while they are shopping.

This answer choice supports the claim by suggesting that observational research can uncover valuable information about consumer behavior that surveys cannot provide. Observing consumers' actions, such as picking up and putting down products, can reveal their consideration of specific brands, even if they are unable to articulate their reasons for preference or rejection. This aligns with the claim that observational research yields information that surveys cannot.

(B) Market researchers find that consumers are almost always willing to participate in observational research for which the consumer is paid by the hour.

This answer choice discusses the willingness of consumers to participate in observational research. While it may be useful for conducting observational research, it does not directly support the claim that observational research yields information about consumer behavior that surveys cannot provide. It is more of a practical consideration rather than a direct support for the claim.

(C) Consumers are becoming increasingly self-conscious about their buying habits, and some consumers have stopped buying some items that they normally used to buy.

This answer choice presents a trend related to consumer behavior, but it does not directly support the claim that observational research yields unique information that surveys cannot provide. It is discussing a change in consumer behavior, rather than the effectiveness of observational research.

(D) Market researchers say they find data collection more enjoyable in observational research than in survey research because observational research requires more creative judgment on their part.

This answer choice discusses the preferences of market researchers but does not provide support for the claim about the effectiveness of observational research compared to surveys. The personal enjoyment of data collection does not necessarily imply that observational research yields unique information about consumer behavior.

(E) Consumers are more likely to respond to oral surveys than they are to respond to written questionnaires.

This answer choice discusses the response rates of consumers to different survey methods. While it may be useful for understanding survey response rates, it does not directly support the claim that observational research yields information about consumer behavior that surveys cannot provide. It focuses on the survey response rates rather than the effectiveness of observational research.

In summary, the answer choice that provides the strongest support for the market researchers' claim is (A). It emphasizes that even consumers who cannot explain their preferences can reveal valuable information through their actions during the shopping process, highlighting the unique insights that observational research can provide.

Let's analyze each answer choice:

(a) SwiftRail’s new station will dramatically improve not only its public image, but also its revenues over the next 10 years.
This option talks about the improvement in public image and revenues of SwiftRail over the next 10 years. While it suggests potential benefits, it does not directly address the prediction of improving the passenger experience.

(b) Of all the new station proposals SwiftRail is considering, the design it selected does the most to further efficiency and convenience.
This option highlights that the selected design of the new station maximizes efficiency and convenience. This supports SwiftRail's goal of making train travel more efficient and convenient, but it doesn't specifically address whether the station will vastly improve the passenger experience as they enter and leave Jeotto.

(c) Most of Jetto’s citizens are currently pleased with the system.
This option states that most of Jetto's citizens are currently satisfied with the system. While it suggests that the existing system may be acceptable, it doesn't provide evidence that the new station will vastly improve the passenger experience.

(d) SwiftRail's passengers have indicated that efficiency and convenience are aspects of their ridership experience that are important to them.
This option directly addresses the prediction by stating that SwiftRail's passengers have indicated that efficiency and convenience are important to them. This supports the claim that SwiftRail's new station, which aims to improve efficiency and convenience, will indeed put passengers first and improve their experience.

(e) Jetto’s residents rely heavily on SwiftRail in their daily commute.
This option highlights that Jetto's residents heavily rely on SwiftRail for their daily commute. While this suggests the importance of the rail system, it doesn't specifically address the prediction of improving the passenger experience.

Among the given options, (d) is the strongest because it directly addresses SwiftRail's goal of improving the passenger experience by indicating that efficiency and convenience are important to the passengers. Therefore, option (d) is the most strongly supported prediction for SwiftRail.

Let's break down the question and go through each answer choice to determine which one most strongly supports the insurer's assertion.

The insurer's plan is to reimburse subscribers who are either pregnant or at high risk of developing heart disease for the cost of one professional dental cleaning per year. The goal is to reduce the insurer's payouts to medical-service providers.

(A) Dental-hygiene regimens such as brushing or flossing can slow the accumulation of the bacteria-produced substance.

This statement suggests that regular dental hygiene practices can help slow down the accumulation of the bacteria-produced substance. While this is beneficial for maintaining oral health, it does not directly support the insurer's plan to reduce payouts. Therefore, this choice does not provide strong support for the insurer's assertion.

(B) Pregnant women typically crave sugary foods, which are proven to contribute to tooth decay.

This statement provides information about the dietary habits of pregnant women and their potential impact on tooth decay. However, it does not directly support the insurer's plan to reduce payouts. It is more of a general observation rather than evidence for the effectiveness of the reimbursement plan.

(C) The risk of developing heart disease is greater for individuals with a family history of heart disease than for those with no such history.

This statement discusses the risk factors for developing heart disease, specifically the influence of family history. While it provides relevant information, it does not directly support the insurer's plan to reduce payouts. It focuses on the risk of heart disease rather than the efficacy of the reimbursement plan.

(D) Individuals are generally less likely to postpone or forego inexpensive or free dental procedures than expensive ones.

This statement suggests that individuals are more likely to undergo inexpensive or free dental procedures without postponing or skipping them. If the insurer's plan provides reimbursement for dental cleanings, which are typically less expensive than other dental procedures, it is likely that more people will choose to undergo them. This increased utilization of routine dental cleanings could lead to early detection and treatment of oral health issues, reducing the need for more expensive medical interventions later on. Therefore, this choice supports the insurer's assertion and provides strong support for the plan to reduce payouts.

(E) The dental health of pregnant women and heart-disease patients, as a group, is similar to that of the general population.

This statement compares the dental health of pregnant women and heart disease patients to the general population. While it provides some information about the dental health of these groups, it does not directly support the insurer's plan to reduce payouts. It does not address the impact of dental cleanings or the potential for reducing preterm labor or heart disease. Therefore, this choice does not provide strong support for the insurer's assertion.

In conclusion, the answer choice that most strongly supports the insurer's assertion is (D) Individuals are generally less likely to postpone or forego inexpensive or free dental procedures than expensive ones.

The argument states that record companies claim the audio market is ruled by consumer demand for improved sound reproduction rather than profit-motivated marketing decisions. However, the absence of digital audiotape (which produces even better sound than CDs) from the commercial market contradicts this claim. We need to find an answer choice that resolves this contradiction.

Let's analyze each answer choice:

(A) Most consumers prefer audiotape to long-playing records or CDs because of the tape's durability and compactness.

This answer choice does not explain why digital audiotape is not commercially available. It only discusses consumer preferences for audiotape over other formats.

(B) Prototypes of digital audiotape have been used to make master tapes of some performances in recording studios.

While this answer choice suggests that digital audiotape technology exists, it does not explain why it is not commercially available to consumers. The fact that prototypes are used in recording studios does not address the absence of commercial availability.

(C) The manufacturing technology that underlies the commercial production of CDs requires equipment very similar to that needed for commercial production of digital audiotape.

This answer choice does not provide a satisfactory explanation. If the manufacturing technology is similar, it would imply that record companies could produce digital audiotape for commercial use. This contradicts the argument's claim that the absence of digital audiotape is due to consumer demand for improved sound reproduction.

(D) Record companies have not yet solved several quality-control problems that have beset attempts to produce digital audiotape in commercial quantities.

This answer choice provides a plausible explanation. It suggests that record companies have encountered quality-control problems that prevent them from producing digital audiotape in commercial quantities. This would explain why digital audiotape is not commercially available, despite claims of consumer demand for improved sound reproduction.

(E) CDs are more expensive than long-playing vinyl records by about the same ratio as digital audiotape cassettes would be more expensive than conventional cassettes.

This answer choice does not explain the absence of digital audiotape. It only compares the relative prices of CDs and vinyl records, without addressing the availability of digital audiotape.

Based on the analysis, we can conclude that answer choice (D) is the best explanation. It provides a reason why digital audiotape is not commercially available, despite the claim that consumer demand for improved sound reproduction governs the audio market.

The mayor's conclusion is that school officials can implement further cuts without reducing any expenditures for essential services. In order to support this conclusion, we need to find an answer choice that strengthens the claim that previous cuts only affected nonessential services.

(A) The efficiency with which essential and nonessential services are provided is not relevant to the argument. This answer choice does not provide any support for the mayor's conclusion, so it can be eliminated.

(B) This answer choice states that there are sufficient funds available for the city's schools to provide some nonessential services. If the schools can still provide nonessential services despite previous cuts, it suggests that the previous cuts indeed targeted nonessential services only. This supports the mayor's conclusion that further cuts can be made without affecting essential services. Therefore, (B) is a strong contender.

(C) This answer choice talks about price estimates for nonessential services and whether they have increased since the most recent funding cut. However, this information does not directly support the claim that previous cuts only affected nonessential services. It is not as strong as (B) in supporting the mayor's conclusion, so (C) can be eliminated.

(D) The support or lack of support from influential city administrators regarding nonessential services does not directly address the mayor's conclusion. This answer choice is not relevant to the argument and can be eliminated.

(E) This answer choice talks about the tendency of school officials to exaggerate the impact of funding cuts. However, it does not provide any evidence about whether previous cuts only affected nonessential services. Therefore, (E) is not as strong as (B) in supporting the mayor's conclusion and can be eliminated.

In conclusion, answer choice (B) is the best option as it directly supports the mayor's claim that further cuts can be made without reducing any expenditures for essential services.

Let's go through each option and analyze its impact on the objection to the plan.

(A) Almost all of the thieves in Harlburg are involved in some traffic violations in the past.

This statement suggests a correlation between traffic violations and thieves. If this is true, it strengthens the argument that increasing traffic police personnel could help in reducing crime. Therefore, it does not support the objection.

(B) Crimes require an inordinate amount of planning whereas traffic violations could be a result of impulsive behavior. This option highlights the difference between crimes and traffic violations in terms of planning. It suggests that the mindset and motivations behind crimes and traffic violations differ. This does not provide strong support for the objection and does not address the effectiveness of increasing traffic police personnel.

(C) It is significantly easier to escape a traffic policeman than a regular policeman.

This option implies that escaping from a traffic policeman is easier than escaping from a regular policeman. If this is true, it weakens the argument that increasing traffic police personnel would deter criminals and reduce crime rates. It provides some support for the objection, but it doesn't directly address the impact on the reduction of traffic violations.

(D) A significant proportion of the traffic violations in Harlburg are committed in remote areas where posting any personnel is not feasible.

This option provides strong support for the objection. If a significant proportion of traffic violations occur in remote areas where it is not feasible to deploy traffic police personnel, then increasing their numbers in other areas may not effectively reduce the overall number of violations. This suggests that the plan may not lead to the expected outcome.

(E) The average duration taken to commit a crime is much higher than that to commit a traffic violation.

This option highlights the difference in duration between committing a crime and committing a traffic violation. However, it doesn't directly support the objection or address the effectiveness of increasing traffic police personnel in reducing violations or crimes.

Considering the explanations above, option (D) provides the most support to the objection that the plan, if implemented, may not lead to the expected outcome.

The scenario given is that Company X experienced a sharp decrease in profitability, and the CEO believes that firing 20 employees is the best way to increase profitability. The CFO disagrees and suggests that all employees should take a salary cut instead. The question asks us to find the answer choice that would most support the CFO's claim.

Let's evaluate each answer choice:

(A) There are currently 35 employees in Company X.

This answer choice provides information about the current number of employees in the company but does not directly relate to the CFO's claim about salary cuts. It does not provide substantial support for the CFO's argument. Therefore, this option can be eliminated.

(B) Firing 20 employees will lower the company's expenses by more than 30 percent.

While this answer choice does provide support for the CEO's claim that firing employees would decrease expenses, it does not directly contribute to the CFO's claim that all employees should take a salary cut. Therefore, this option is not the most relevant to the CFO's claim.

(C) The average salary in Company X is significantly lower than that of its competitors.

This answer choice provides information about the average salary in Company X compared to its competitors. While it may provide some context about the company's salary structure, it does not directly support the CFO's claim that all employees should take a salary cut. Therefore, this option is not the most relevant to the CFO's claim.

(D) The workload in Company X has been gradually increasing over the past few years.

This answer choice is the most relevant to the CFO's claim. If the workload in Company X has been gradually increasing over the past few years, it suggests that the company may be asking more from its employees without additional compensation. This information strengthens the CFO's argument that all employees should take a salary cut instead of firing employees. It suggests that reducing salaries would be a more fair and equitable solution, rather than putting the burden solely on a specific group of employees through layoffs. Therefore, option (D) is the most relevant and supports the CFO's claim.

(E) If salaries are lowered, employee morale and, consequently, productivity will suffer.

This answer choice raises a valid concern about potential negative consequences of lowering salaries, such as reduced employee morale and productivity. While it is an important consideration, it does not directly support the CFO's claim for all employees to take a salary cut instead of firing employees. Therefore, this option is not the most relevant to the CFO's claim.

In conclusion, option (D) is the answer choice that would contribute most to the CFO's claim, as it supports the argument that all employees should take a salary cut by highlighting the increasing workload without additional compensation.

Argument: Rising admission standards in many graduate schools are primarily a result of the recent economic recession, rather than increasing academic and professional standards.

(A) Many prospective students have been deterred from applying to graduate school because of decreasing acceptance rates.
This answer choice does not directly support the argument. It suggests that decreasing acceptance rates have deterred prospective students, but it does not address the cause of rising admission standards.

(B) Many professionals have lobbied for higher academic standards at graduate schools.
This answer choice weakens the argument because it implies that professionals are responsible for the higher admission standards, not the economic recession.

(C) Many professionals with graduate degrees would not have been admitted to graduate programs had they faced current admission requirements.
This answer choice also weakens the argument. If professionals with current graduate degrees would not have been admitted under current standards, it suggests that the academic and professional standards have indeed increased.

(D) Many first-year graduate students cite layoffs and downsizing as the primary reason that they decided to return to school.
This answer choice directly supports the argument. It indicates that the recent economic recession, characterized by layoffs and downsizing, has led many individuals to return to graduate school. This increased demand for graduate education can contribute to higher admission standards and lower acceptance rates.

(E) There are twice as many universities offering graduate programs today as twenty years ago.
This answer choice does not directly address the argument. It provides information about the number of universities offering graduate programs, but it does not explain why admission standards have risen or why acceptance rates have decreased.

Therefore, the best answer choice that supports the argument is (D) Many first-year graduate students cite layoffs and downsizing as the primary reason that they decided to return to school.

Let's go through each answer choice and analyze them one by one.

(A) The other major network news organizations reported similar reductions in viewership during the same week.

This answer choice provides information about other major network news organizations experiencing similar reductions in viewership. If other networks also saw a drop in viewership during the same week, it suggests that the drop in viewership is not specific to the controversial report aired by the network in question. This would support the network's position that negative reactions to the report were not the cause of the loss of viewers. Therefore, this answer choice strengthens the network's position.

(B) The viewers who registered complaints with the network were regular viewers of the news organization's programs.

This answer choice provides information about the viewers who registered complaints. If these viewers were regular viewers of the network's programs, it suggests that they were already engaged with the network and its content. This information, however, does not directly support the network's position that negative reactions to the report did not cause the drop in viewership. It is possible that regular viewers were particularly upset by the report and stopped watching, causing the drop in viewership. Therefore, this answer choice does not strongly support the network's position.

(C) Major network news organizations publicly attribute drops in viewership to their own reports only when they receive complaints about those reports.

This answer choice provides information about how major network news organizations publicly attribute drops in viewership. However, it does not directly support the network's position. It suggests a general practice among news organizations but does not provide any specific information about the network in question. Therefore, this answer choice does not strongly support the network's position.

(D) This was not the first time that this network news organization has aired a controversial report on the economy that has inspired viewers to complain to the network.

This answer choice provides information about the network's past experiences airing controversial reports on the economy. While it suggests that the network has previously received complaints about such reports, it does not directly support the network's position that negative reactions to this specific report did not cause the drop in viewership. It is possible that viewers' negative reactions accumulated over time and influenced their decision to stop watching the network. Therefore, this answer choice does not strongly support the network's position.

(E) Most network news viewers rely on network news broadcasts as their primary source of information regarding the economy.

This answer choice provides information about the reliance of network news viewers on network news broadcasts for information about the economy. While this information might be relevant to the viewers' reactions, it does not directly support the network's position that negative reactions to the report did not cause the drop in viewership. It is possible that viewers sought alternative sources of information due to their negative reaction to the report, leading to the drop in viewership. Therefore, this answer choice does not strongly support the network's position.

Based on the analysis, answer choice (A) is the most appropriate one as it directly supports the network's position by suggesting that the drop in viewership is not specific to their controversial report, as other major network news organizations experienced similar reductions in viewership during the same week.

It presents a scenario where officials in the city of Masana are considering introducing congestion pricing as a solution to heavy traffic in the central business district. The question asks us to determine which statement, if true, would most strongly indicate that the plan will be a success.

Let's evaluate each answer choice:

(A) Approximately one-fifth of the vehicles in the central business district are in transit from one side of the city to the other.
This statement provides information about the nature of the traffic in the central business district but does not directly address the potential success of congestion pricing. It does not offer strong support for the plan's success.

(B) Planners expect that, without congestion pricing, traffic in Masana is likely to grow by 6 percent in the next five years.
This statement suggests that traffic is expected to increase in the absence of congestion pricing. While it highlights the need for a solution, it does not provide direct evidence of the plan's success with congestion pricing.

(C) In other urban areas, congestion pricing has strongly encouraged carpooling (sharing of rides by private commuters).
This statement directly supports the idea of congestion pricing being successful. It provides evidence from other urban areas that congestion pricing has encouraged carpooling. This indicates that the plan in Masana might have similar positive effects, making this a strong answer choice.

(D) Several studies have shown that a reduction in traffic of 15 percent in Masana could result in 5,500 or more new jobs.
This statement suggests a potential economic benefit resulting from a reduction in traffic. While it highlights a positive outcome, it does not directly address the success of congestion pricing as a solution.

(E) Over 30 percent of the vehicles in the city's center are occupied by more than one person.
This statement provides information about the occupancy rate of vehicles in the city's center but does not directly address the effectiveness of congestion pricing.

Among the answer choices, option (C) is the most relevant and strongest choice to indicate the success of the congestion pricing plan. It offers evidence from other urban areas where congestion pricing has encouraged carpooling, suggesting that a similar outcome could be expected in Masana.

Therefore, the correct answer is (C).