Delta Products Inc. has recently switched at least partly from older technologies using fossil fuels to new technologies powered by...

GMAT Critical Reasoning : (CR) Questions

Source: Official Guide

Critical Reasoning

Boldface

HARD

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Notes

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Delta Products Inc. has recently switched at least partly from older technologies using fossil fuels to new technologies powered by electricity. The question has been raised whether it can be concluded that for a given level of output Delta's operation now causes less fossil fuel to be consumed than it did formerly. The answer, clearly, is yes, since the amount of fossil fuel used to generate the electricity needed to power the new technologies is less than the amount needed to power the older technologies, provided level of output is held constant

In the argument given, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?

The first identifies the content of the conclusion of the argument; the second provides support for that conclusion.

The first provides support for the conclusion of the argument; the second identifies the content of that conclusion.

The first states the conclusion of the argument; the second calls that conclusion into question.

The first provides support for the conclusion of the argument; the second calls that conclusion into question.

Each provides support for the conclusion of the argument.

Solution

Understanding the Passage

Text from Passage	Analysis
(Boldface 1) "Delta Products Inc. has recently switched at least partly from older technologies using fossil fuels to new technologies powered by electricity."	What it says: Delta company has made a partial change from old fossil fuel-based systems to new electric-powered systems. Visualization: Old setup: 100% fossil fuel powered machines → New setup: 60% electric powered + 40% fossil fuel powered machines What it does: This establishes the factual context - a technology change has occurred at the company. Source: Author's factual statement
"The question has been raised whether it can be concluded that"	What it says: Someone (not specified who) is asking if we can determine something. Visualization: Question being posed: "Can we conclude that...?" What it does: This introduces that there's a debate or inquiry about something related to the technology switch. Source: Reference to others' question
(Boldface 2) "for a given level of output Delta's operation now causes less fossil fuel to be consumed than it did formerly."	What it says: The question is whether Delta now uses less fossil fuel than before when producing the same amount of products. Visualization: Before: Produce 1000 units using 500 gallons fossil fuel → After: Produce 1000 units using 300 gallons fossil fuel What it does: This states the specific question being debated - whether the switch actually reduces fossil fuel consumption. Source: The question being raised by others
"The answer, clearly, is yes, since the amount of fossil fuel used to generate the electricity needed to power the new technologies is less than the amount needed to power the older technologies, provided level of output is held constant"	What it says: The author definitively answers "yes" to the question and provides reasoning - even though electricity requires fossil fuel to generate, the total fossil fuel needed is still less than the old direct method. Visualization: Old way: 500 gallons fossil fuel directly → New way: 200 gallons fossil fuel to generate electricity + 100 gallons for remaining old tech = 300 gallons total What it does: This provides the author's conclusion and supporting evidence for why the switch does reduce fossil fuel consumption. Source: Author's position and reasoning

Overall Structure

The author is responding to a question about whether Delta's technology switch actually reduces fossil fuel consumption. The flow moves from: fact → question → definitive answer with reasoning.

Main Conclusion: Delta's switch to electric technologies does result in less fossil fuel consumption for the same output level.

Boldface Segments

Boldface 1: Delta Products Inc. has recently switched at least partly from older technologies using fossil fuels to new technologies powered by electricity.
Boldface 2: for a given level of output Delta's operation now causes less fossil fuel to be consumed than it did formerly.

Boldface Understanding

Boldface 1:

Function: Provides the factual background/context that sets up the entire discussion
Direction: Neutral/supportive - establishes the premise that makes the author's argument possible

Boldface 2:

Function: States the specific claim being questioned/examined in the argument
Direction: Same direction as author's conclusion - this is what the author ultimately argues is true

Structural Classification

Boldface 1:

Structural Role: Background fact/premise that enables the argument
Predicted Answer Patterns: "provides context," "establishes a factual premise," "background information"

Boldface 2:

Structural Role: The claim/conclusion that the author supports and argues for
Predicted Answer Patterns: "conclusion supported by the author," "claim that the argument defends," "position argued for"

Answer Choices Explained

The first identifies the content of the conclusion of the argument; the second provides support for that conclusion.

'The first identifies the content of the conclusion of the argument' - ✗ WRONG - The first boldface is not the conclusion; it's factual background information about Delta's technology switch that sets up the discussion
'the second provides support for that conclusion' - ✗ WRONG - The second boldface is actually the conclusion itself (what the author argues is true), not support for it

The first provides support for the conclusion of the argument; the second identifies the content of that conclusion.

'The first provides support for the conclusion of the argument' - ✓ CORRECT - The first boldface establishes the factual premise (the technology switch) that enables the author's argument about reduced fuel consumption
'the second identifies the content of that conclusion' - ✓ CORRECT - The second boldface states exactly what the author concludes is true (that fuel consumption has decreased)

The first states the conclusion of the argument; the second calls that conclusion into question.

'The first states the conclusion of the argument' - ✗ WRONG - The first boldface is background information, not the conclusion; the conclusion is about whether fuel consumption decreased
'the second calls that conclusion into question' - ✗ WRONG - The second boldface doesn't question anything; it states what the author supports as true

The first provides support for the conclusion of the argument; the second calls that conclusion into question.

'The first provides support for the conclusion of the argument' - ✓ CORRECT - This accurately describes the first boldface's role as enabling context
'the second calls that conclusion into question' - ✗ WRONG - The second boldface is presented as something the author supports, not questions

Each provides support for the conclusion of the argument.

'Each provides support for the conclusion of the argument' - ✗ WRONG - While the first boldface does provide support, the second boldface IS the conclusion, not support for it

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