1
The committee on sexual discrimination in the workplace has highlighted Supremo Company as a chief offender. Of the twenty senior executives in the firm, only one is a woman. And of the forty junior executives, only five are female.
Supremo could best defend itself against the charges by showing that
A. male and female executives at the same level have the same qualifications
B. they pay the same salary to senior men and senior women
C. ten times more men than women apply for jobs with the company
D. the work pressures and long hours make jobs with the company unattractive to married women
E. all job applicants who were rejected had fewer qualifications than those accepted
2. Anne: Halley’s Comet, now in a part of its orbit relatively far from the Sun, recently flared brightly enough to be
seen by telescope. No comet has ever been observed to flare so far from the Sun before, so such a flare must be
highly unusual.
Sue: Nonsense. Usually no one bothers to try to observe comets when they are so far from the Sun. Thisflare was
observed only because an observatory was tracking Halley’s Comet very carefully. Sue challenges Anne’sreasoning
by
• pointing out that Anne’s use of the term “observed”is excessively vague
• drawing attention to an inconsistency between two of Anne’s claims
• presenting evidence that directly contradicts Anne’s evidence
• offering an alternative explanation for the evidence Anne cites
• undermining some of Anne’s evidence while agreeing with her conclusion
3. The amount of money estimated to be lost by Hollywood studios due to DVD piracy overseas increased to more than $500 million last year. As a consequence, Hollywood studios have little prospect of making money this year by exporting their films worldwide.
All of the following, if true, weaken the argument Except:
1.$500 million represents a very small fraction of overseas profits.
2.New laws and heightened international enforcement aimed at this piracy were implemented in January of this year and have been effective.
3.Even in countries where DVD piracy is widespread, theatrical first-run distribution is both very popular and profitable.
4.Last year, all films that were nominated for an Academy Award were known to have been pirated on DVD.
5.Domestic DVD sales were sharply higher last year; in the past, strong domestic sales have been an indicator of higher international DVD sales in the following year.
All of the following, if true, weaken the argument Except:
1.$500 million represents a very small fraction of overseas profits.
2.New laws and heightened international enforcement aimed at this piracy were implemented in January of this year and have been effective.
3.Even in countries where DVD piracy is widespread, theatrical first-run distribution is both very popular and profitable.
4.Last year, all films that were nominated for an Academy Award were known to have been pirated on DVD.
5.Domestic DVD sales were sharply higher last year; in the past, strong domestic sales have been an indicator of higher international DVD sales in the following year.
4.
If, in a tennis tournament, a match reaches a fifth-set tiebreak, the lower-ranked player always loses the tiebreak
(and, therefore, the match). If Rafael, the second-ranked player, wins a tournament by beating Roger,
the top-ranked player, then the match must not have included a fifth-set tiebreak. Which of the following arguments most
closely mimics the reasoning used in the above argument?
• If a woman with a family history of twins gets pregnant three times, she will have one set of twins. Jennifer, who
falls into this category, had two sets of twins, soshe must not have gotten pregnant exactly three times.
• If a salesman sells more product than anyone else in a calendar year, then he will earn an all-expenses-paid
vacation. Joe earned an all-expense-paid vacation,so he must have sold more product than anyone elsefor the
year.
• A newspaper can charge a 50% premium for ads if its circulation surpasses 100,000; if the circulation does not
pass 100,000, therefore, the newspaper can’t chargeany kind of premium for ads.
• If a student is in the top 10% of her class, she will earn a college scholarship. Anna is not in the top 10% of her
class, so she will not earn a scholarship.
• All of the players on a football team receive a cash bonus if the team wins the Super Bowl. If quarterback Tom
Brady earned a cash bonus last year, he must have been a member of the winning Super Bowl team.
(and, therefore, the match). If Rafael, the second-ranked player, wins a tournament by beating Roger,
the top-ranked player, then the match must not have included a fifth-set tiebreak. Which of the following arguments most
closely mimics the reasoning used in the above argument?
• If a woman with a family history of twins gets pregnant three times, she will have one set of twins. Jennifer, who
falls into this category, had two sets of twins, soshe must not have gotten pregnant exactly three times.
• If a salesman sells more product than anyone else in a calendar year, then he will earn an all-expenses-paid
vacation. Joe earned an all-expense-paid vacation,so he must have sold more product than anyone elsefor the
year.
• A newspaper can charge a 50% premium for ads if its circulation surpasses 100,000; if the circulation does not
pass 100,000, therefore, the newspaper can’t chargeany kind of premium for ads.
• If a student is in the top 10% of her class, she will earn a college scholarship. Anna is not in the top 10% of her
class, so she will not earn a scholarship.
• All of the players on a football team receive a cash bonus if the team wins the Super Bowl. If quarterback Tom
Brady earned a cash bonus last year, he must have been a member of the winning Super Bowl team.
5
Recent studies have highlighted the harmful effects of additives in food (colors, preservatives, flavor enhancers etc.). There are no synthetic substances in the foods we produce at Munchon Foods – we use only natural ingredients. Hence you can be sure you are safeguarding your family’s health when you buy our products.
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the contention of Munchon Foods?
A. Some synthetic substances are not harmful
B. Some natural substances found in foods can be harmful
C. Food without additives is unlikely to taste good
D. Munchon Foods produces only breakfast cereals
E. Without preservatives some foods could cause harm
6
ANSWERS
10
OA - A
9
8
7
6
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Since this is an ‘except’ question we must find four ways for Barbie to strengthen her position. The one answer that doesn’t strengthen her conclusion will be correct. Barbie wants to use an agent and choices C and E point out benefits of the agent, while choices A and B point to reasons why the internet is not necessarily better. A careful look at D suggests that the agent might not always get the seller the best price, and so that is the best answer.
5
4
3
2
In this kind of question attack what the first one person says. Here we have something that comes casually. Infact the second one says:This flare was observed only because an observatory was tracking Halley’s Comet very carefully.
A) the word observed: is not the real reasoning behind the discussion
B) the two claims do not lack of consistency, are coherent in somehow
C) here we have no evidence at all. the second person do not present a fact but rather a conjecture
D) an alternate explanation: CORRECT. the comet is observed ONLY and ONLY and ONLy because is related to the observation of Halley's Comet
E) here nobody undermine nothing rather gives an other explanation.
1. There might be a slight problem with the question -a GMAT question would use the phrase "gender discrimination" not "sexual disrcimination." My guess is that the source is 1000cr. Practicing with these questions can do more harm than good.
At any rate, the OA should be choice C.
The charge of discrimination has everything to do with how many men and women were applying in the first place; the (qualified) fraction of the applicant pool that was male versus the (qualified) fraction of the applicant pool that was female.
There are 19 male executives and only 1 female executive. Let's say there were 40 qualified applicants for these executive positions. But if 39 of them were men, it is definitely not the company's fault; if they were able to show this, it would be a perfect defense against the claim of discrimination. But what happens if 20 of the 40 qualified applicants were men, and 20 women? Because 19 of 20 men got the exec jobs but only 1 out of 20 women did, this would reek of gender discrimination.
Choice A is wrong because it assumes that the only way there could be gender discrimination was if there were unqualified men being accepted over qualified women; as the above analysis demonstrates, this is not the only way gender discrimination could take place. This choice neglects to consider the applicant pool, and, thus, on its own, it is not a sufficient defense.
Choice B is also an insufficient defense against the charge. Just ask yourself whether choice B establishes that there wasn't any discrimination.
Choice D has sexist undertones and would never be an accredited response on the GMAT.
Choice E is a bit more tempting. It is good that all applicants rejected had fewer qualifications than those accepted. But does it establish that there was NO gender discrimination? Again, even after rejecting all the unqualified applicants, if there were many MORE qualified women applicants (than qualified male applicants) remaining, the charge of discrimination would clearly have force (since they ended up hiring way more men).
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the contention of Munchon Foods?
A. Some synthetic substances are not harmful
B. Some natural substances found in foods can be harmful
C. Food without additives is unlikely to taste good
D. Munchon Foods produces only breakfast cereals
E. Without preservatives some foods could cause harm
6
Anton: I sold my house on an internet site last year and was happy with the price. I got a speedy sale and the cost of advertising was insignificant. I would advise you to avoid real estate agents.
Barbie: It is in the interest of the real estate agent to get me the best price for my property because he gets a commission based on the selling price. Therefore, when selling my house I will certainly use an agent rather than trying to sell the house by word of mouth, or by advertising in newspapers or on the internet.
Barbie’s could strengthen her position by pointing out all of the following except
A. Houses of comparable value often obtain a lower price when sold on the internet
B. Very few houses are sold on the internet at the moment an so a valid comparison is difficult
C. The agent’s service includes many add-on benefits in terms of legal fees, surveyor’s reports and advice that are not available on internet sites
D. Some buyers pay the agent to find them a cheap house
E. The agent’s commission is usually less than the difference between the internet price and the higher price the agent obtains for you
B. Very few houses are sold on the internet at the moment an so a valid comparison is difficult
C. The agent’s service includes many add-on benefits in terms of legal fees, surveyor’s reports and advice that are not available on internet sites
D. Some buyers pay the agent to find them a cheap house
E. The agent’s commission is usually less than the difference between the internet price and the higher price the agent obtains for you
7
On the basis of the Big Bang theory ((scientists predicted levels of Helium-3 in the universe that are ten times greater than the levels actually observed.)) According to the original model, Helium-3 is produced when low-mass stars burn up hydrogen and become ‘red giants’, as well as being produced in the Big Bang itself. Researchers have now produced a new model in which the Helium-3 produced by a red giant is pushed to the star’s interior and burnt up. ((((Hence the Big Bang theory is no longer undermined by Helium-3 data.)))
The two portions in bold-face are related to each other in which of the following ways?
A. The first highlights an observation that tends to undermine a particular theory. The second is that theory.
B. The first is a fact that undermines a theory. The second is context for accepting that theory.
C. The first points to an inconsistency in a particular model; the second is the author’s main conclusion.
D. The first is a challenge to a classic theory; the second resolves that challenge.
E. The first is a position that the author does not accept; the second is the author’s position.
The two portions in bold-face are related to each other in which of the following ways?
A. The first highlights an observation that tends to undermine a particular theory. The second is that theory.
B. The first is a fact that undermines a theory. The second is context for accepting that theory.
C. The first points to an inconsistency in a particular model; the second is the author’s main conclusion.
D. The first is a challenge to a classic theory; the second resolves that challenge.
E. The first is a position that the author does not accept; the second is the author’s position.
8
A fruit known as amla in certain parts of Asia is an excellent source of vitamin C. A small quantity of the fruit grated and added to salads provides almost all the daily requirement of this vitamin. However, the fruit is very sour. A new process designed to remove most of the sour taste will make the fruit acceptable to American tastes. We are therefore starting to grow this fruit for sale in the United States.
The argument above assumes all of the following except
A. Americans generally won’t eat very sour foods
B. The new process does not remove a significant part of the vitamin content
C. That a market exists for a new source of vitamin C
D. The fruit can be used only in salads
E. Apart from being sour there are no other objections to eating this fruit
The argument above assumes all of the following except
A. Americans generally won’t eat very sour foods
B. The new process does not remove a significant part of the vitamin content
C. That a market exists for a new source of vitamin C
D. The fruit can be used only in salads
E. Apart from being sour there are no other objections to eating this fruit
9
It is not unusual to see the ball fall into a black slot on a roulette wheel four times in a row. But for it to fall five or six times in a row into the same color is very unusual. Therefore you can win money by waiting for a run of five of the same color and then betting against that color.
If the roulette wheel in question is a fair wheel, which of the following observations or facts, if it were true, would best reveal a fallacy in the logic?
A. If there were a reliable way to win at roulette it would be well-known by now.
B. It is hard for a player to keep track of what went before for the time required.
C. The probability of getting a particular color decreases with the number of times the color has appeared.
D. The probability of getting a particular color is always the same no matter what has gone before.
E. A person who makes money this way once or twice, will carry on to lose that money after a few more times.
If the roulette wheel in question is a fair wheel, which of the following observations or facts, if it were true, would best reveal a fallacy in the logic?
A. If there were a reliable way to win at roulette it would be well-known by now.
B. It is hard for a player to keep track of what went before for the time required.
C. The probability of getting a particular color decreases with the number of times the color has appeared.
D. The probability of getting a particular color is always the same no matter what has gone before.
E. A person who makes money this way once or twice, will carry on to lose that money after a few more times.
10
Josh has twenty years of typing experience behind him; therefore, if you are looking for an efficient typist to enter your data into the new system, you need look no further.
The speaker assumes that
A. Twenty years of practice ensures typing efficiency
B. The type of typing required for the new system is identical to what Josh has been doing
C. Josh’s job profile is the best that the new employer is going to get
D. Josh is an outstandingly fast and accurate typist
E. Josh will fit well into the new office
The speaker assumes that
A. Twenty years of practice ensures typing efficiency
B. The type of typing required for the new system is identical to what Josh has been doing
C. Josh’s job profile is the best that the new employer is going to get
D. Josh is an outstandingly fast and accurate typist
E. Josh will fit well into the new office
ANSWERS
10
OA - A
9
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
In critical reasoning questions many of the answer choices can be factually correct or reasonable sounding, and so eliminating without understanding the question is not possible. Your job is to find the best answer to the specific question, so read carefully. A fallacy in the logic is an error in the thinking behind the proposal. The person concludes that if you wait for a run of five of the same color and then bet against the color, you WILL win. Now the logic behind that suggests that the probability of getting that same color again is low. But just as tossing a fair coin always gives an even chance of a head or tail no matter what has gone before, the probability of getting a color is always the same no matter what has gone before.
8
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
There is a ‘missing link’ between saying that the fruit is sour and saying that removing the sourness will make the fruit acceptable to American tastes. The missing link is an ‘assumption’ in this case. Obviously the missing statement should be that Americans don’t like sour foods. So now we have found one assumption but this is an ‘except question’ and so we need to find three more! Since we are relying on the fruit for vitamin C it should be obvious that the author thinks the new process will not take away most of the vitamin. The author also thinks a market exists or they would not be starting to grow the fruit. He or she mentions salads as a way to use the fruit but there is nothing to suggest that there are no other ways to use the fruit and so D is not assumed and is the correct answer. He or she also assumes that there is nothing else wrong with the fruit. (Note: most students go wrong on ‘except’ questions!)
7
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Study each sentence carefully and decide whether it is a fact, and assumption or a conclusion. The first part in bold is a factual statement of a certain prediction. The second part in bold is a statement of the author’s view or position on the situation. A view or a position is another way of thinking about a conclusion. So, start with looking for answers that say the second is a conclusion. Now we can have a closer look at C and E. Since the first part is a factual statement, we cannot say that the author does not accept it, and we are left with C. The word ‘inconsistency’ is fine as the predicted amounts do not match with the observations.
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Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Since this is an ‘except’ question we must find four ways for Barbie to strengthen her position. The one answer that doesn’t strengthen her conclusion will be correct. Barbie wants to use an agent and choices C and E point out benefits of the agent, while choices A and B point to reasons why the internet is not necessarily better. A careful look at D suggests that the agent might not always get the seller the best price, and so that is the best answer.
5
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Munchon’s contention is that buying their products safeguards health. To weaken that argument we can show that, for some reason, their foods might not be healthy. Munchon claims that the products are healthy because they contain only ‘natural ingredients’. But bacteria and molds are ‘natural’ as are certain poisons derived from plants! Hence the word ‘natural’ is no guarantee of healthful properties.
4
Question:
A = fifth set tiebreak B = low rank player lose If rafael wins = not B then no fifth set tiebreak = not A If A then B, if not B then not A a) A = family history of twins get pregnant 3 times B = one set of twins Jennifer had two set of twins = not B not have gotten pregnant three times = not A If A then B, if not B then not A this is the answer b) A = sells more product than anyone else B = vacation If A then B, if B then A so out c) A = if circulation > 100k B = charge 50% premium If A then B, if not A then not B also out d) A = top 10% in class B = scholarship If A then B, if not A then not B out e) assumption is based on all the players receiving cash bonus and not just an individual out |
3
This argument concludes that “Hollywood studios have little chance of making
money this year by exporting their films worldwide,” based on the premise that profits from piracy overseas rose sharply last year. The argument assumes that no other relevant conditions have changed for the better since then. The question asks for a choice that does not weaken the argument, which means that the correct answer will either strengthen it or is irrelevant. (A) This choice weakens the argument. It attacks the necessary assumption that $500 million is a large enough amount to destroy Hollywood profits. (B) This choice weakens the argument. It attacks the necessary assumption that there would not be a heightened and effective law enforcement campaign against piracy. (C) This choice weakens the argument. It attacks the assumption that there are no other ways for Hollywood studios to profit from export of its films than DVDs. (D) CORRECT. This choice is irrelevant. The conclusion (and premise) concern money. That all of the Academy Award-nominated films were pirated last year does not increase or diminish the probability of Hollywood studios making money this year. Thus, this does not weaken the argument. (E) This choice makes the conclusion less likely by providing a premise that suggests that this year’s profits internationally will rise. |
2
In this kind of question attack what the first one person says. Here we have something that comes casually. Infact the second one says:This flare was observed only because an observatory was tracking Halley’s Comet very carefully.
A) the word observed: is not the real reasoning behind the discussion
B) the two claims do not lack of consistency, are coherent in somehow
C) here we have no evidence at all. the second person do not present a fact but rather a conjecture
D) an alternate explanation: CORRECT. the comet is observed ONLY and ONLY and ONLy because is related to the observation of Halley's Comet
E) here nobody undermine nothing rather gives an other explanation.
1. There might be a slight problem with the question -a GMAT question would use the phrase "gender discrimination" not "sexual disrcimination." My guess is that the source is 1000cr. Practicing with these questions can do more harm than good.
At any rate, the OA should be choice C.
The charge of discrimination has everything to do with how many men and women were applying in the first place; the (qualified) fraction of the applicant pool that was male versus the (qualified) fraction of the applicant pool that was female.
There are 19 male executives and only 1 female executive. Let's say there were 40 qualified applicants for these executive positions. But if 39 of them were men, it is definitely not the company's fault; if they were able to show this, it would be a perfect defense against the claim of discrimination. But what happens if 20 of the 40 qualified applicants were men, and 20 women? Because 19 of 20 men got the exec jobs but only 1 out of 20 women did, this would reek of gender discrimination.
Choice A is wrong because it assumes that the only way there could be gender discrimination was if there were unqualified men being accepted over qualified women; as the above analysis demonstrates, this is not the only way gender discrimination could take place. This choice neglects to consider the applicant pool, and, thus, on its own, it is not a sufficient defense.
Choice B is also an insufficient defense against the charge. Just ask yourself whether choice B establishes that there wasn't any discrimination.
Choice D has sexist undertones and would never be an accredited response on the GMAT.
Choice E is a bit more tempting. It is good that all applicants rejected had fewer qualifications than those accepted. But does it establish that there was NO gender discrimination? Again, even after rejecting all the unqualified applicants, if there were many MORE qualified women applicants (than qualified male applicants) remaining, the charge of discrimination would clearly have force (since they ended up hiring way more men).
