Strategy guide for Game X: In the board game Game X, the traditional openings—strategic sequences of moves at the beginning...

GMAT Two Part Analysis : (TPA) Questions

Source: Mock

Two Part Analysis

Verbal - RC

MEDIUM

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Strategy guide for Game X:

In the board game Game X, the traditional openings—strategic sequences of moves at the beginning of games—are most advantageous against opponents who understand both the traditional and the nontraditional openings, and also against those who do not understand any of the openings very well. However, nontraditional openings are most advantageous against opponents who understand only the traditional openings. Aggressive openings, whether traditional or nontraditional, generally favor a player who uses them against an opponent less experienced with Game X, whereas defensive openings, whether traditional or nontraditional, tend to reduce an opponent's advantage when used by a player less experienced with Game X.

Select for Aggressive, traditional the scenario in which the information above most strongly suggests that an aggressive, traditional opening would be most advantageous for you to use, and select for Defensive, nontraditional the scenario in which the above information most strongly suggests that a defensive, nontraditional opening would be most advantageous for you to use. Make only two selections, one in each column.

Aggressive, traditional

Defensive, nontraditional

You and your opponent understand the same openings for Game X.

Your opponent has more experience with Game X but understands only the traditional openings.

Your opponent understands both the traditional and nontraditional openings, but you have more experience with Game X

You and your opponent have the same amount of experience with Game X.

Your opponent understands both the traditional and nontraditional openings, and has more experience with Game X.

Solution

Phase 1: Owning the Dataset

Argument Analysis Table

Passage Statement	Analysis & Implications
"Traditional openings are most advantageous against opponents who understand both the traditional and the nontraditional openings, and also against those who do not understand any of the openings very well."	Core Fact: Traditional openings work in two scenarios - full knowledge or no knowledge Visualization: If opponent knows 100% or 0% of openings → use traditional Logical Connections: Creates a U-shaped advantage curve What We Can Conclude: Traditional openings are versatile against extreme knowledge levels
"Nontraditional openings are most advantageous against opponents who understand only the traditional openings."	Core Fact: Nontraditional works best against partial (traditional-only) knowledge Visualization: If opponent knows 50% (only traditional) → use nontraditional Logical Connections: Exploits gaps in opponent's knowledge What We Can Conclude: Nontraditional openings punish incomplete understanding
"Aggressive openings, whether traditional or nontraditional, generally favor a player who uses them against an opponent less experienced with Game X"	Core Fact: Aggressive style benefits the more experienced player Visualization: Experience gap + aggressive = advantage Logical Connections: Works with both opening types What We Can Conclude: Choose aggressive when you have more experience
"Defensive openings, whether traditional or nontraditional, tend to reduce an opponent's advantage when used by a player less experienced with Game X"	Core Fact: Defensive style helps the less experienced player Visualization: Experience deficit + defensive = damage control Logical Connections: Minimizes opponent's experience advantage What We Can Conclude: Choose defensive when you have less experience

Key Patterns Identified

Knowledge-based advantages: Different openings exploit different knowledge levels
Experience-based advantages: Aggressive/defensive choice depends on experience differential
Combination effects: Opening type (traditional/nontraditional) and style (aggressive/defensive) work independently

Phase 2: Question Analysis & Prethinking

Understanding Each Part

Part 1 (Aggressive, traditional): We need the scenario where BOTH aggressive style AND traditional opening would be most advantageous
Part 2 (Defensive, nontraditional): We need the scenario where BOTH defensive style AND nontraditional opening would be most advantageous
Relationship: These represent opposite strategies - one for pressing advantage, one for minimizing disadvantage

Valid Inferences (Prethinking)

For Aggressive, traditional:
Need: You have MORE experience (for aggressive) + opponent understands both OR none (for traditional)

For Defensive, nontraditional:
Need: You have LESS experience (for defensive) + opponent understands only traditional (for nontraditional)

Phase 3: Answer Choice Evaluation

Analyzing Each Option:

"You and your opponent understand the same openings for Game X."
- What it claims: Equal knowledge base
- Fact Support: Doesn't specify which openings or experience levels
- Part Suitability: Neither - lacks necessary conditions
"Your opponent has more experience with Game X but understands only the traditional openings."
- What it claims: You're less experienced + opponent has knowledge gap
- Fact Support: Perfect for defensive (you're less experienced) + nontraditional (opponent only knows traditional)
- Part Suitability: Ideal for Part 2 (Defensive, nontraditional)
"Your opponent understands both the traditional and nontraditional openings, but you have more experience with Game X"
- What it claims: You're more experienced + opponent has full knowledge
- Fact Support: Perfect for aggressive (you're more experienced) + traditional (opponent knows both)
- Part Suitability: Ideal for Part 1 (Aggressive, traditional)
"You and your opponent have the same amount of experience with Game X."
- What it claims: Equal experience levels
- Fact Support: No experience advantage for aggressive/defensive choice
- Part Suitability: Neither - lacks experience differential
"Your opponent understands both the traditional and nontraditional openings, and has more experience with Game X."
- What it claims: You're at disadvantage in both knowledge and experience
- Fact Support: Good for defensive (you're less experienced) but not specifically for nontraditional
- Part Suitability: Partial fit only

Final Selection

Aggressive, traditional: Choice C - You have the experience advantage to use aggressive style, and opponent's full knowledge makes traditional openings effective
Defensive, nontraditional: Choice B - You need defensive style due to experience disadvantage, and opponent's traditional-only knowledge makes nontraditional openings effective

Verification

✓ Both answers are directly supported by passage facts
✓ Each answer uniquely fits its respective part
✓ The pair comprehensively addresses the question's requirements

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