In order to achieve self-sufficiency in electricity production, the Hasarian government proposes to construct eleven huge hydroelectric power plants. ...

GMAT Critical Reasoning : (CR) Questions

Source: Official Guide

Critical Reasoning

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HARD

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In order to achieve self-sufficiency in electricity production, the Hasarian government proposes to construct eleven huge hydroelectric power plants. Although this is a massive project, it is probably not massive enough to achieve the goal. It is true that adding the projected output of the new hydroelectric plants to the output that Hasaria can achieve now would be enough to meet the forecast demand for electricity. It will, however, take at least fifteen years to complete the project and by then the majority of Hasaria's current power plants will be too old to function at full capacity.

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

The first introduces a proposed course of action for which the argument provides support; the second gives evidence in support of that course of action.

The first introduces a proposed course of action for which the argument provides support; the second gives a reason for not adopting a possible alternative course of action.

The first introduces a plan that the argument evaluates; the second provides evidence that is used to support that plan against possible alternatives.

The first introduces a proposed plan for achieving a certain goal; the second is a claim that has been used in support of the plan but that the argument maintains is inaccurate.

The first introduces a proposed plan for achieving a certain goal; the second provides evidence that is used to support the argument's evaluation of that plan.

Solution

Understanding the Passage

Text from Passage	Analysis
(Boldface 1) "the Hasarian government proposes to construct eleven huge hydroelectric power plants"	What it says: The government of Hasaria wants to build 11 large hydroelectric facilities to generate electricity. Visualization: Current state: Hasaria imports electricity → Proposed solution: Build 11 hydroelectric plants → Goal: Complete energy independence What it does: This introduces the government's proposed solution to achieve energy self-sufficiency. Source: Author reporting the government's proposal
"Although this is a massive project, it is probably not massive enough to achieve the goal."	What it says: Even though building 11 hydroelectric plants is a huge undertaking, it likely won't be sufficient to reach energy independence. Visualization: Government thinks: 11 plants = enough for self-sufficiency → Author's assessment: 11 plants = still not enough for self-sufficiency What it does: This presents the author's main conclusion that the government's plan will fail to achieve its stated objective. Source: Author's view
"It is true that"	What it says: The author acknowledges that the following statement is correct. What it does: This signals that the author will concede a point that might seem to support the government's plan. Source: Author's acknowledgment
(Boldface 2) "adding the projected output of the new hydroelectric plants to the output that Hasaria can achieve now would be enough to meet the forecast demand for electricity"	What it says: If you combine the electricity from the 11 new plants with what Hasaria currently produces, it would satisfy the predicted future electricity needs. Visualization: Current production: 1000 MW + New plants: 800 MW = Total: 1800 MW → Forecast demand: 1800 MW → Conclusion: Supply meets demand What it does: This provides evidence that initially seems to support the government's plan by showing the math works out on paper. Source: Author acknowledging a factual calculation
"It will, however, take at least fifteen years to complete the project and by then the majority of Hasaria's current power plants will be too old to function at full capacity."	What it says: The construction will require 15+ years, and during that time, most existing power plants will become too old to operate efficiently. Visualization: 2024: Current plants at 100% capacity → 2039: Project completed but current plants now at only 60% capacity → Net result: Total capacity lower than projected What it does: This explains why the author's main conclusion is correct - the seeming adequacy of the plan ignores the deterioration of existing infrastructure. Source: Author's reasoning

Overall Structure

The author is rejecting the adequacy of a government proposal by showing that while it appears sufficient on paper, it fails to account for a crucial timing factor. The logic flows from proposal → initial rejection → apparent supporting evidence → explanation of why the evidence is misleading.

Main Conclusion: The Hasarian government's plan to build eleven hydroelectric plants is probably not sufficient to achieve energy self-sufficiency.

Boldface Segments

Boldface 1: the Hasarian government proposes to construct eleven huge hydroelectric power plants
Boldface 2: adding the projected output of the new hydroelectric plants to the output that Hasaria can achieve now would be enough to meet the forecast demand for electricity

Boldface Understanding

Boldface 1 Analysis:

Function: Presents the government's proposed solution that the author will evaluate
Direction: Opposite direction - this represents the plan that the author concludes is inadequate

Boldface 2 Analysis:

Function: Provides evidence that superficially supports the government's plan but will be undermined by subsequent reasoning
Direction: Opposite direction - while this seems to support the plan, the author uses it to show why the plan appears adequate but actually isn't

Structural Classification

Boldface 1:

Structural Role: The proposal or plan being evaluated and ultimately rejected by the author
Predicted Answer Patterns: "a proposal that the argument concludes is inadequate" or "a plan that the argument argues will not achieve its intended goal"

Boldface 2:

Structural Role: Apparent supporting evidence that the author acknowledges but then shows to be misleading due to an overlooked factor
Predicted Answer Patterns: "evidence that appears to support the proposal but is shown to be insufficient" or "a consideration that seemingly favors the plan but overlooks a crucial factor"

Answer Choices Explained

The first introduces a proposed course of action for which the argument provides support; the second gives evidence in support of that course of action.

"The first introduces a proposed course of action for which the argument provides support" - ✗ WRONG - The argument actually concludes this plan is inadequate, not supportive of it
"the second gives evidence in support of that course of action" - ✗ WRONG - While the second boldface seems supportive on the surface, the author uses it to show why the plan appears adequate but is actually insufficient

The first introduces a proposed course of action for which the argument provides support; the second gives a reason for not adopting a possible alternative course of action.

"The first introduces a proposed course of action for which the argument provides support" - ✗ WRONG - The argument concludes this plan is probably not sufficient to achieve the goal
"the second gives a reason for not adopting a possible alternative course of action" - ✗ WRONG - The second boldface doesn't discuss alternatives; it provides a calculation about the proposed plan itself

The first introduces a plan that the argument evaluates; the second provides evidence that is used to support that plan against possible alternatives.

"The first introduces a plan that the argument evaluates" - ✓ CORRECT - The government's hydroelectric project is indeed evaluated by the author
"the second provides evidence that is used to support that plan against possible alternatives" - ✗ WRONG - The second boldface doesn't compare the plan to alternatives; it provides a calculation that the author acknowledges but then undermines

The first introduces a proposed plan for achieving a certain goal; the second is a claim that has been used in support of the plan but that the argument maintains is inaccurate.

"The first introduces a proposed plan for achieving a certain goal" - ✓ CORRECT - The hydroelectric project aims to achieve electricity self-sufficiency
"the second is a claim that has been used in support of the plan but that the argument maintains is inaccurate" - ✗ WRONG - The author explicitly states the second boldface is true ("It is true that"), not inaccurate

The first introduces a proposed plan for achieving a certain goal; the second provides evidence that is used to support the argument's evaluation of that plan.

"The first introduces a proposed plan for achieving a certain goal" - ✓ CORRECT - The government's plan aims to achieve electricity self-sufficiency
"the second provides evidence that is used to support the argument's evaluation of that plan" - ✓ CORRECT - The author uses this true calculation to show why the plan appears adequate but overlooks the crucial timing factor with aging infrastructure

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