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
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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?
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." |
|
| "The question has been raised whether it can be concluded that" |
|
| (Boldface 2) "for a given level of output Delta's operation now causes less fossil fuel to be consumed than it did formerly." |
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| "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" |
|
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
A
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 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
B
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 second identifies the content of that conclusion' - ✓ CORRECT - The second boldface states exactly what the author concludes is true (that fuel consumption has decreased)
C
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 second calls that conclusion into question' - ✗ WRONG - The second boldface doesn't question anything; it states what the author supports as true
D
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
'the second calls that conclusion into question' - ✗ WRONG - The second boldface is presented as something the author supports, not questions
E
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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