Conformity is dangerous in intellectual endeavors. For instance, one economist pointed out the danger of an inflationary bubble in Nation...
GMAT Critical Reasoning : (CR) Questions
Source: Mock
...
...
Post a Query
Conformity is dangerous in intellectual endeavors. For instance, one economist pointed out the danger of an inflationary bubble in Nation X's housing market prior to a major decline in home prices, but hesitated to express his worries fully because he felt "vulnerable expressing such quirky views," and feared being marginalized. To take another example, consider how it was regarded as "obvious" that at least one hundred genes are needed to convert an animal cell back to its embryonic state. Or at least it was so regarded by almost everyone until the biologist Shinya Yamanaka showed that just four sufficed.
Which of the following most accurately describes the logical roles of the statements in boldface?
Solution
Understanding the Passage
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
| "Conformity is dangerous in intellectual endeavors." |
|
| "For instance, one economist pointed out the danger of an inflationary bubble in Nation X's housing market prior to a major decline in home prices," |
|
| (Boldface 1) "but hesitated to express his worries fully because he felt 'vulnerable expressing such quirky views,' and feared being marginalized" |
|
| "To take another example, consider how it was regarded as 'obvious' that at least one hundred genes are needed to convert an animal cell back to its embryonic state." |
|
| (Boldface 2) "Or at least it was so regarded by almost everyone until the biologist Shinya Yamanaka showed that just four sufficed" |
|
Overall Structure
The author presents a claim and supports it with two concrete examples showing how conformity pressure harms intellectual progress. The flow moves from general principle to specific supporting evidence.
Main Conclusion: Conformity is dangerous in intellectual endeavors.
Boldface Segments
- Boldface 1: but hesitated to express his worries fully because he felt "vulnerable expressing such quirky views," and feared being marginalized
- Boldface 2: Or at least it was so regarded by almost everyone until the biologist Shinya Yamanaka showed that just four sufficed
Boldface Understanding
Boldface 1:
- Function: Explains how conformity pressure prevented the economist from fully sharing his correct analysis
- Direction: Supports the author's conclusion that conformity is dangerous - it shows conformity preventing good ideas from being shared
Boldface 2:
- Function: Shows how scientific consensus was proven wrong by an independent thinker
- Direction: Supports the author's conclusion that conformity is dangerous - it demonstrates how following the crowd led to incorrect beliefs
Structural Classification
Boldface 1:
- Structural Role: Supporting evidence within the first example
- Predicted Answer Patterns: "evidence supporting the conclusion," "explanation of how conformity caused harm"
Boldface 2:
- Structural Role: Supporting evidence within the second example
- Predicted Answer Patterns: "evidence supporting the conclusion," "example of how independent thinking overcame conformity"
Answer Choices Explained
A
The first is a premise meant to support the main conclusion; the second is a statement of the main conclusion.
- "The first is a premise meant to support the main conclusion" - ✓ CORRECT - The first boldface does support the conclusion that conformity is dangerous by showing how conformity pressure prevented full expression of correct ideas
- "the second is a statement of the main conclusion" - ✗ WRONG - The second boldface is not the main conclusion. The main conclusion is stated at the very beginning: 'Conformity is dangerous in intellectual endeavors'
B
The first states a possible objection to one of the premises used to support the argument's main conclusion; the second provides an example of a successful prediction used to support the main conclusion.
- "The first states a possible objection to one of the premises" - ✗ WRONG - The first boldface doesn't object to anything; it explains why the economist hesitated, which supports the author's point about conformity being dangerous
- "the second provides an example of a successful prediction" - ✗ WRONG - The second boldface describes Yamanaka's discovery, not a prediction. It shows how independent thinking overcame wrong consensus beliefs
C
The first is a premise meant to support the argument's main conclusion; the second addresses an objection to that conclusion.
- "The first is a premise meant to support the argument's main conclusion" - ✓ CORRECT - It does support the conclusion by showing how conformity pressure harmed intellectual expression
- "the second addresses an objection to that conclusion" - ✗ WRONG - The second boldface doesn't address an objection; it provides additional evidence supporting the conclusion by showing how consensus was wrong
D
Both are conclusions that are used as premises to support the argument's main conclusion.
- "Both are conclusions that are used as premises" - ✗ WRONG - Neither boldface statement is a conclusion. They are both factual descriptions that serve as supporting evidence within the two examples
E
Both provide information intended to support the argument's only conclusion.
- "Both provide information intended to support the argument's only conclusion" - ✓ CORRECT - Both boldface statements provide supporting evidence for the main conclusion that conformity is dangerous in intellectual endeavors. The first shows how conformity prevented full expression of correct ideas, and the second shows how conformist consensus led to wrong beliefs
Rate this Solution
Tell us what you think about this solution
Forum Discussions
Start a new discussion
Post
Load More