Sonex Corporation Executive: Vision-related problems such as blurred vision and headaches have been experienced by employees ofSonex Corporation who u...

GMAT Critical Reasoning : (CR) Questions

Source: Mock

Critical Reasoning

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Sonex Corporation Executive: Vision-related problems such as blurred vision and headaches have been experienced by employees ofSonex Corporation who use video-display terminals every day for extended periods. These problems are quickly and entirely reversible through modifications to individual terminals and work spaces. Precisely what modifications need to be made depends on knowing the individual user's specific problems. Since we cannot predict what these problems will turn out to be and since our standard design for employees' work spaces keeps the incidence of such problems lower than any other design we know of, it is clear that our policy of undertaking modifications only when an employee reports vision-related problems is as responsive to employees' legitimate health concerns as current circumstances permit.

In the Sonex Corporation executive's argument, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?

The first describes a circumstance that is addressed by the policy response that the argument seeks to justify; the second provides evidence to support the main conclusion of the argument.

The first describes a circumstance that is addressed by the policy response that the argument seeks to justify; the second is evidence that has been used to argue that no coherent policy can be formulated.

The first provides evidence to support the main conclusion of the argument; the second is a claim that the argument acknowledges as an unanswered objection to that main conclusion.

The first provides evidence to support the main conclusion of the argument; the second is a consideration that has been used to argue that there might never be more evidence than is already available.

The first is an objection that has been raised against a policy defended in the argument; the second provides evidence to support the main conclusion of the argument.

Solution

Understanding the Passage

Text from Passage	Analysis
(Boldface 1) "Vision-related problems such as blurred vision and headaches have been experienced by employees of Sonex Corporation who use video-display terminals every day for extended periods"	What it says: Employees working at computer screens all day are getting eye problems and headaches. Visualization: Example scenario: 200 Sonex employees using computers 8 hours/day → 80 employees experiencing blurred vision and headaches What it does: Establishes the basic problem that needs to be addressed Source: Author's statement of fact
"These problems are quickly and entirely reversible through modifications to individual terminals and work spaces."	What it says: The vision problems can be completely fixed by changing each person's computer setup and workspace. Visualization: Employee with headaches → Adjust monitor height, lighting, chair position → Employee's headaches disappear within days What it does: Shows that solutions exist and are effective Source: Author's claim
(Boldface 2) "Precisely what modifications need to be made depends on knowing the individual user's specific problems"	What it says: To fix the problems, you need to know exactly what issues each individual employee is having first. Visualization: Employee A needs monitor lowered 3 inches, Employee B needs brighter lighting, Employee C needs anti-glare screen → Each requires different specific solutions What it does: Explains why individualized assessment is necessary before making changes Source: Author's explanation
"Since we cannot predict what these problems will turn out to be and since our standard design for employees' work spaces keeps the incidence of such problems lower than any other design we know of"	What it says: The company can't guess what problems each employee will have, and their current workspace setup already prevents more problems than other designs. Visualization: Sonex standard design: 40% of employees develop vision problems vs. Other companies' designs: 60-70% of employees develop vision problems What it does: Provides two reasons supporting their reactive approach rather than proactive changes Source: Author's reasoning
"it is clear that our policy of undertaking modifications only when an employee reports vision-related problems is as responsive to employees' legitimate health concerns as current circumstances permit."	What it says: Their policy of only making changes after employees complain about vision problems is the best approach possible given the situation. Visualization: Current policy: Wait for employee complaint → Assess individual needs → Make specific modifications vs. Alternative: Make random modifications without knowing individual needs What it does: States the main conclusion defending their current reactive policy Source: Author's conclusion

Overall Structure

The author is defending Sonex Corporation's policy of waiting for employee complaints before making workspace modifications. The argument flows from acknowledging a problem exists, showing solutions are available, explaining why individualized assessment is necessary, and concluding that their reactive approach is justified.

Main Conclusion: Sonex's policy of undertaking modifications only when an employee reports vision-related problems is as responsive to employees' legitimate health concerns as current circumstances permit.

Boldface Segments

Boldface 1: Vision-related problems such as blurred vision and headaches have been experienced by employees of Sonex Corporation who use video-display terminals every day for extended periods
Boldface 2: Precisely what modifications need to be made depends on knowing the individual user's specific problems

Boldface Understanding

Boldface 1:

Function: Establishes the basic problem that the company's policy must address
Direction: Supports the author's position by acknowledging a legitimate concern that needs response

Boldface 2:

Function: Provides a key reason why the company's wait-and-see approach is necessary
Direction: Supports the author's position by explaining why proactive modifications would be ineffective

Structural Classification

Boldface 1:

Structural Role: Background fact/problem statement that sets up the need for a policy
Predicted Answer Patterns: "acknowledges a problem," "states a concern that the argument addresses," "provides background information"

Boldface 2:

Structural Role: Supporting reason/premise for the main conclusion
Predicted Answer Patterns: "provides support for," "offers a reason why," "explains the necessity of"

Answer Choices Explained

The first describes a circumstance that is addressed by the policy response that the argument seeks to justify; the second provides evidence to support the main conclusion of the argument.

"The first describes a circumstance that is addressed by the policy response that the argument seeks to justify" - ✓ CORRECT - The first boldface establishes the vision problems that employees are experiencing, which is exactly the circumstance that Sonex's modification policy is designed to address.
"the second provides evidence to support the main conclusion of the argument" - ✓ CORRECT - The second boldface explains why individual assessment is necessary, which directly supports the conclusion that their wait-and-see policy is justified.

"The first describes a circumstance that is addressed by the policy response that the argument seeks to justify" - ✓ CORRECT - Same as above, the first boldface does establish the problem that needs addressing.
"the second is evidence that has been used to argue that no coherent policy can be formulated" - ✗ WRONG - The second boldface doesn't suggest that no policy can be made; instead, it explains why their specific policy approach makes sense.

The first provides evidence to support the main conclusion of the argument; the second is a claim that the argument acknowledges as an unanswered objection to that main conclusion.

"The first provides evidence to support the main conclusion of the argument" - ✗ WRONG - The first boldface doesn't support the conclusion; it establishes the problem that creates the need for a policy response.
"the second is a claim that the argument acknowledges as an unanswered objection to that main conclusion" - ✗ WRONG - The second boldface isn't an objection; it's a supporting reason for why their approach is necessary.

"The first provides evidence to support the main conclusion of the argument" - ✗ WRONG - Again, the first boldface establishes a problem rather than supporting the conclusion about policy appropriateness.
"the second is a consideration that has been used to argue that there might never be more evidence than is already available" - ✗ WRONG - The second boldface is about needing individual-specific information, not about evidence limitations.

The first is an objection that has been raised against a policy defended in the argument; the second provides evidence to support the main conclusion of the argument.

"The first is an objection that has been raised against a policy defended in the argument" - ✗ WRONG - The first boldface isn't an objection to their policy; it's a statement of the problem that their policy addresses.
"the second provides evidence to support the main conclusion of the argument" - ✓ CORRECT - The second boldface does support the conclusion by explaining why individualized assessment is necessary.

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