Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs are growing in market share as a replacement for the standard incandescent light bulb. However,...
GMAT Critical Reasoning : (CR) Questions
Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs are growing in market share as a replacement for the standard incandescent light bulb. However, an even newer technology is emerging: the light-emitting diode (LED) bulb. Like CFL bulbs, LED bulbs are energy efficient, and they can last around fifty thousand hours, about five times as long as most CFL bulbs. Yet, a single LED bulb costs much more than five CFL bulbs.
The information in the passage above most supports which of the following conclusions?
Passage Visualization
| Passage Statement | Visualization and Linkage |
|---|---|
| Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs are growing in market share as a replacement for the standard incandescent light bulb. | Market Context: Establishes CFL bulbs as the current emerging technology
|
| However, an even newer technology is emerging: the light-emitting diode (LED) bulb. | Technology Chain: Introduces LED as the next generation
|
| Like CFL bulbs, LED bulbs are energy efficient | Shared Advantage: Both technologies offer same basic benefit
|
| and they can last around fifty thousand hours, about five times as long as most CFL bulbs. | Durability Advantage: LEDs significantly outlast CFLs
|
| Yet, a single LED bulb costs much more than five CFL bulbs. | Cost Paradox: Price premium exceeds durability benefit
|
| Overall Implication | Economic Paradox Revealed: LEDs offer superior technology (energy efficiency + \(\mathrm{5x}\) longer life) but cost more than 5 CFLs for equivalent service period, creating a consumer decision dilemma between upfront cost and long-term value |
Valid Inferences
Inference: Based on the cost-benefit comparison, consumers face a trade-off between higher upfront costs and longer-term value when choosing between LED and CFL bulbs.
Supporting Logic: Since one LED bulb lasts five times longer than a CFL bulb but costs more than five CFL bulbs, consumers must weigh immediate financial burden against long-term replacement convenience. The passage establishes that LEDs match CFLs in energy efficiency while providing superior durability, yet this advantage comes at a premium that exceeds the proportional benefit.
Clarification Note: The passage supports conclusions about the economic trade-off consumers face, but does not indicate which technology represents the better overall value, as this would depend on individual consumer priorities and specific price points not provided.
This choice logically follows from the passage. Since LED bulbs last \(\mathrm{5}\) times longer than CFLs but cost more than \(\mathrm{5}\) CFLs, they would be most valuable where replacement is difficult or costly. In such scenarios, the higher upfront cost is justified by avoiding frequent replacements. The passage's cost-benefit comparison directly supports this conclusion.
This choice misinterprets the competitive dynamic. The passage suggests LEDs have superior technology (\(\mathrm{5x}\) longer life, same energy efficiency) but higher costs. For CFLs to compete, they would need to improve their technology or LEDs would need to drop in price. The passage doesn't suggest CFLs need further price reductions.
While LED durability might help in breakage-prone areas, the passage focuses on lifespan (\(\mathrm{50{,}000}\) hours), not breakage resistance. The passage doesn't provide information about LED bulbs being more resistant to accidental breakage compared to CFLs. This conclusion isn't supported by the given information.
The passage provides no information suggesting CFL technology will advance to match LED lifespan. This choice makes a prediction about future CFL development that isn't supported by the current technology comparison provided in the passage.
While this might happen in markets, the passage doesn't provide information supporting the likelihood of LED price drops. This choice makes a market prediction that isn't supported by the cost and technology information given in the passage.