A shortage of orders for Manto Aircraft's airliners has led analysts to predict that the manufacturer will have to lay...

GMAT Critical Reasoning : (CR) Questions

Source: Official Guide

Critical Reasoning

Weaken

MEDIUM

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Notes

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A shortage of orders for Manto Aircraft's airliners has led analysts to predict that the manufacturer will have to lay off workers, the new order that consolidated airlines has just made for 20 of Manto's model TX jets does not provide a reason for the analysts to revise their predictions, because simultaneously with its new order, consolidated canceled its existing order for an equal number of Manto's larger, more expensive model Z jets.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

Manto relies more heavily on outside subcontractors to provide the labor to manufacture the Model Z than it does the Model TX

The Manto employees who currently work to manufacture the model Z are not proficient at manufacturing the model TX

Manto includes all required maintenance work for the first five years in the price of each jet it sells

Manto has had to lay off workers several times within the past ten years but has typically rehired many of the workers when it subsequently received new orders

A large number of the airliners in consolidated is fleet are at the beginning of their expected service life

Solution

Passage Analysis:

Text from Passage	Analysis
A shortage of orders for Manto Aircraft's airliners has led analysts to predict that the manufacturer will have to lay off workers	What it says: Manto Aircraft doesn't have enough orders, so analysts think they'll fire workers What it does: Sets up the problem and establishes what experts are predicting What it is: Background context and analyst prediction Visualization: Orders needed: 100, Current orders: 40, Gap: 60 orders → Layoffs predicted
the new order that consolidated airlines has just made for 20 of Manto's model TX jets does not provide a reason for the analysts to revise their predictions	What it says: Even though Consolidated Airlines ordered 20 TX jets, analysts still think layoffs will happen What it does: Introduces a new development but claims it doesn't change the original prediction What it is: Author's main claim Visualization: Original prediction: Layoffs coming New order: +20 TX jets Analyst prediction: Still layoffs coming
because simultaneously with its new order, consolidated canceled its existing order for an equal number of Manto's larger, more expensive model Z jets	What it says: At the same time Consolidated ordered 20 TX jets, they cancelled 20 model Z jets (which cost more) What it does: Provides the reasoning for why the new order doesn't help - explains that it's actually a wash What it is: Author's supporting evidence Visualization: Consolidated's moves: Added: 20 TX jets (smaller, cheaper) Cancelled: 20 Z jets (larger, more expensive) Net change: 20 jets → 20 jets (but less revenue)

Argument Flow:

The argument starts with analysts predicting layoffs due to order shortage. It then presents a potential counter-example (new order for 20 jets) but immediately argues this doesn't change anything. Finally, it provides evidence that the new order was offset by a cancellation of more valuable jets.

Main Conclusion:

The new order for 20 TX jets doesn't give analysts reason to change their layoff predictions.

Logical Structure:

The author uses a 'this doesn't matter because' structure. The evidence (simultaneous cancellation of more expensive jets) is supposed to show why the new order doesn't actually improve Manto's situation enough to avoid layoffs.

Prethinking:

Question type:

Weaken - We need to find information that reduces belief in the conclusion that the new TX order doesn't give analysts reason to revise their layoff predictions

Precision of Claims

The argument focuses on quantity (20 jets each way) and value (Z jets are larger and more expensive), claiming this creates a net neutral or negative impact for Manto

Strategy

Look for ways the TX order could actually be beneficial for Manto despite the Z cancellation. Focus on differences between the two aircraft types beyond just price - like production costs, labor requirements, profit margins, or manufacturing complexity. We need scenarios where 20 TX jets might actually be better for Manto's workforce than 20 Z jets

Answer Choices Explained

Manto relies more heavily on outside subcontractors to provide the labor to manufacture the Model Z than it does the Model TX

Manto relies more heavily on outside subcontractors to provide the labor to manufacture the Model Z than it does the Model TX: This significantly weakens the argument. If Model Z jets use more outside contractors while Model TX jets require more in-house Manto employees, then switching from Z to TX orders actually helps Manto's workforce. The cancellation of Z jets means fewer jobs lost for Manto employees (since outsiders were doing much of that work), while the new TX jets create more jobs for Manto's own workers. This gives analysts a solid reason to revise their layoff predictions, directly contradicting the argument's conclusion.

The Manto employees who currently work to manufacture the model Z are not proficient at manufacturing the model TX

The Manto employees who currently work to manufacture the model Z are not proficient at manufacturing the model TX: This actually strengthens rather than weakens the argument. If Z workers can't easily transition to TX work, then the company might indeed need to lay off Z workers while hiring new TX workers, making the employment situation even more complex and potentially supporting the analysts' layoff predictions.

Manto includes all required maintenance work for the first five years in the price of each jet it sells

Manto includes all required maintenance work for the first five years in the price of each jet it sells: This information doesn't affect the argument about immediate workforce needs. Whether maintenance is included in the price doesn't change the labor requirements for manufacturing the jets or the analysts' predictions about layoffs due to order shortages.

Manto has had to lay off workers several times within the past ten years but has typically rehired many of the workers when it subsequently received new orders

Manto has had to lay off workers several times within the past ten years but has typically rehired many of the workers when it subsequently received new orders: This historical pattern doesn't address whether the current TX order should change the analysts' predictions. It just shows Manto's past hiring and firing cycles, but doesn't explain why the switch from Z to TX jets should affect current layoff predictions.

A large number of the airliners in consolidated is fleet are at the beginning of their expected service life

A large number of the airliners in Consolidated's fleet are at the beginning of their expected service life: This suggests Consolidated won't need new planes anytime soon, which would actually support the argument that the TX order doesn't represent a significant improvement for Manto. If anything, this strengthens the case for maintaining the layoff predictions.

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