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标题: SDCAR2010【逻辑入门】（四）Role (Boldface) [打印本页]

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-6-14 11:23
标题: SDCAR2010【逻辑入门】（四）Role (Boldface)
Common prompts for role or boldface:

Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the argument by the claim that . . .?
The statement that . . . serves which one of the following functions in the argument?
The claim that . . . figures in the economist’s argument in which one of the following ways?
In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
The first boldface statement has what relationship to the second boldface statement?

Before you look at the answers:

1. Pinpoint the main conclusion in the passage.
2. Separate the premises from everything else. After finding the main conclusion, don’t assume that all the other statements are premises; they might include opposing viewpoints, background information, or concession.
3. Analyze the structure of the argument. In other words, figure out how the various pieces of an argument or a passage fit together logically.
4. Then, in your own words, describe what role the statement mentioned in the prompt plays. Is it the main conclusion, an intermediate conclusion, a premise, an opposing viewpoint, a view that author is trying to support, a concession? Avoid looking at the answers until you have forced yourself to describe the statement’s role.

Then look for the answer that most accurately describes what you just described:

1. Focus on the active clause of each answer to help yourself move through the answers faster.
2. The correct answer must describe exactly what is happening in the passage. Make sure every word of that answer correlates with some part of the passage. In other words, translate the abstract terms into concrete terms from the passage. If the statement is the argument’s main conclusion, for example, but the argument also has an intermediate conclusion, then the answer that the statement “is the author’s only conclusion” would be wrong; it is not the only conclusion, even though it is the main conclusion.

The following are some questions for you to practice what you just learned:

1) Plant scientists have used genetic engineering on seeds to produce crop plants that are highly resistant to insect damage. Unfortunately, the seeds themselves are quite expensive, and the plants require more fertilizer and water to grow well than normal ones. Thus, for most farmers the savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer. However, since consumer demand for grains, fruits, and vegetables grown without the use of pesticides continues to rise, the use of genetically engineered seeds of this kind is likely to become widespread.

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

(A) The first supplies a context for the argument; the second is the argument's main conclusion.
(B) The first introduces a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second is a state of affairs that the argument denies will be part of that outcome.
(C) The first presents a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second acknowledges a consideration that weighs against that prediction.
(D) The first provides evidence to support a prediction that the argument seeks to defend; the second is that prediction.
(E) The first and the second each provide evidence to support the argument's main conclusion.

2) Something must be done to stop spam. In early days, people seldom received unsolicited email advertisement; but now that numerous bulk email software and email address finders are developed to collect email address all around the world. Advertisers use email addresses to market their products and even sell such email lists to other advertisers. As a result, almost everyone ever get junk email, and sometime several and even tens of annoying emails a day. So, relevant anti-spam regulations should be framed to stop unsolicited advertising.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

A. Background that the argument depends on and conclusion that can be drawn from the argument.
B. Part of evidence that the argument includes, and inference that can be drawn from this passage.
C. Pre-evidence that the argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the conclusion.
D. Background that argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the conclusion.
E. Pre-evidence that argument includes and a method that helps to supports that conclusion.

3) More and more computer programs that provide solutions to mathematical problems in engineering are being produced, and it is thus increasingly unnecessary for practicing engineers to have a thorough understanding of fundamental mathematical principles. Consequently, in training engineers who will work in industry, less emphasis should be placed on mathematical principles, so that space in the engineering curriculum will be available for other important subjects.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is the second-premise that the argument includes; the second is the conclusion that could be drawn from this passage.
(B) The first is the fact that is necessary for this argument; the second is the conclusion that must be drawn from this passage.
(C) The first is the part of premise that the argument includes; the second is the inference that could be drawn from this passage.
(D) The first is the part of evidence that supports this argument; the second is the inference that could be drawn from this passage.
(E) The first is the first conclusion in this argument; the second is the second conclusion in this argument.

4) Environmental organizations want to preserve the land surrounding the Wilgrinn Wilderness Area from residential development. They plan to do this by purchasing that land from the farmers who own it. That plan is illconceived: if the farmers did sell their land, they would sell it to the highest bidder, and developers would outbid any other bidders. On the other hand, these farmers will never actually sell any of the land, provided that farming it remains viable. But farming will not remain viable if the farms are left unmodernized, and most of the farmers lack the financial resources modernization requires. And that is exactly why a more sensible preservation strategy would be to assist the farmers to modernize their farms to the extent needed to maintain viability.

In the argument as a whole, the two boldface proportions play which of the following roles?

A. The first presents a goal that the argument rejects as ill-conceived; the second is evidence that is presented as grounds for that rejection.
B. The first presents a goal that the argument concludes cannot be attained; the second is a reason offered in support of that conclusion.
C. The first presents a goal that the argument concludes can be attained; the second is a judgment disputing that conclusion.
D. The first presents a goal, strategies for achieving which are being evaluated in the argument; the second is a judgment providing a basis for the argument’s advocacy of a particular strategy.
E. The first presents a goal that the argument endorses; the second presents a situation that the argument contends must be changed if that goal is to be met in the foreseeable future.

5) Aroca City currently funds its public schools through taxes on property. In place of this system, the city plans to introduce a sales tax of three percent on all retail sales in the city. Critics protest that three percent of current retail sales falls short of the amount raised for schools by property taxes. The critics are correct on this point. Nevertheless, implementing the plan will probably not reduce the money going to Aroca's schools. Several large retailers have selected Aroca City as the site for huge new stores, and these are certain to draw large numbers of shoppers from neighboring municipalities, where sales are taxed at rates of six percent and more. In consequence, retail sales in Aroca City are bound to increase substantially.

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

A. The first is an objection that has been raised against a certain plan; the second is a prediction that, if accurate, undermines the force of that objection.
B. The first is a criticism, endorsed by the argument, of a funding plan; the second is a point the argument makes in favor of adopting an alternative plan.
C. The first is a criticism, endorsed by the argument, of a funding plan; the second is the main reason cited by the argument for its endorsement of the criticism.
D. The first is a claim that the argument seeks to refute; the second is the main point used by the argument to show that the claim is false.
E. The first is a claim that the argument accepts with certain reservations; the second presents that claim in a rewarding that is not subject to those reservations.

6) The stable functioning of a society depends upon the relatively long-term stability of the goals of its citizens. This is clear from the fact that unless the majority of individuals have a predictable and enduring set of aspirations, it will be impossible for a legislature to craft laws that will augment the satisfaction of the citizenry, and it should be obvious that a society is stable only if its laws tend to increase the happiness of its citizens.

The claim that a society is stable only if its laws tend to increase the happiness of its citizens plays which one of the following roles in the argument?

(A) It is the conclusion of the argument.
(B) It helps to support the conclusion of the argument.
(C) It is a claim that must be refuted if the conclusion is to be established.
(D) It is a consequence of the argument.
(E) It is used to illustrate the general principle that the argument presupposes.

7) Legal theorist: It is unreasonable to incarcerate anyone for any other reason than that he or she is a serious threat to the property or lives of other people. The breaking of a law does not justify incarceration, for lawbreaking proceeds either from ignorance of the law or of the effects of one’s actions, or from the free choice of the lawbreaker. Obviously mere ignorance cannot justify incarcerating a lawbreaker, and even free choice on the part of the lawbreaker fails to justify incarceration, for free choice proceeds from the desires of an agent, and the desires of an agent are products of genetics and environmental conditioning, neither of which is controlled by the agent

The claim in the first sentence of the passage plays which one of the following roles in the argument

(A) It is offered as a premise that helps to show that no actions are under the control of the agent
(B) It is offered as background information necessary to understand the argument
(C) It is offered as the main conclusion that the argument is designed to establish
(D) It is offered as evidence for the stated claim that protection of life and property is more important than retribution for past illegal acts
(E) It is offered as evidence for the stated claim that lawbreaking proceeds from either ignorance of the law, or ignorance of the effects of one’s actions, or free choice

8) Psychology professor: The percentage of children having psychological problems is higher among children of Sea Turtle parents than among other children in China. However, it would be wrong to conclude that these psychological problems are caused by the difficulty these expatriates’ children have adjusting to a new environment in China. It is just as rational to infer that certain behaviors which accompany the Sea Turtle families before the move —anxiety for and uncertainties of their future—are learned by children from their Sea Turtle parents, and that it is these learned behaviors, rather than the difficulty of adjusting to lives in China, that cause the children’s psychological problems.

What role does the assertion that children of Sea Turtle parents have a higher rate of psychological problems than other children in China play in the argument above?

(A) It is the final conclusion of the argument.
(B) It is an established claim that the argument tries to refute.
(C) It is offered as evidence for the claim that going back to China is harmful to the children of the Sea Turtle parents.
(D) It is offered as evidence for the claim that certain behaviors are often responsible for expatriates and their children.
(E) It is cited as an established finding for which the argument proposes a reasonable explanation.

SDCAR2010【逻辑入门】（三）Main Point

SDCAR2010【逻辑入门】（五）Proceed by

作者: 灭绝湿太 时间: 2011-6-14 18:08
沙发！！！！

作者: fangsigaoa 时间: 2011-6-16 09:36
牛牛。。我分不清evidence/premise/background...

我的答案是C A D B
A B C E

请牛牛指导！

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-6-16 22:06
1) Plant scientists have used genetic engineering on seeds to produce crop plants that are highly resistant to insect damage. Unfortunately, the seeds themselves are quite expensive, and the plants require more fertilizer and water to grow well than normal ones. Thus, for most farmers the savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer. However, since consumer demand for grains, fruits, and vegetables grown without the use of pesticides continues to rise, the use of genetically engineered seeds of this kind is likely to become widespread.

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

(A) The first supplies a context for the argument; the second is the argument's main conclusion.
(B) The first introduces a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second is a state of affairs that the argument denies will be part of that outcome.
(C) The first presents a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second acknowledges a consideration that weighs against that prediction. (C)
(D) The first provides evidence to support a prediction that the argument seeks to defend; the second is that prediction.
(E) The first and the second each provide evidence to support the argument's main conclusion.

Main conclusion:
The use of genetically engineered seeds of this kind is likely to become widespread
Opposing opinion:
The savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer

2) Something must be done to stop spam. In early days, people seldom received unsolicited email advertisement; but now that numerous bulk email software and email address finders are developed to collect email address all around the world. Advertisers use email addresses to market their products and even sell such email lists to other advertisers. As a result, almost everyone ever get junk email, and sometime several and even tens of annoying emails a day. So, relevant anti-spam regulations should be framed to stop unsolicited advertising.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

A. Background that the argument depends on and conclusion that can be drawn from the argument. (A)
B. Part of evidence that the argument includes, and inference that can be drawn from this passage.
C. Pre-evidence that the argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the conclusion.
D. Background that argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the conclusion.
E. Pre-evidence that argument includes and a method that helps to supports that conclusion.

Main conclusion:
Something must be done to stop spam. Relevant anti-spam regulations should be framed to stop unsolicited advertising.

3) More and more computer programs that provide solutions to mathematical problems in engineering are being produced, and it is thus increasingly unnecessary for practicing engineers to have a thorough understanding of fundamental mathematical principles. Consequently, in training engineers who will work in industry, less emphasis should be placed on mathematical principles, so that space in the engineering curriculum will be available for other important subjects.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is the second-premise that the argument includes; the second is the conclusion that could be drawn from this passage.
(B) The first is the fact that is necessary for this argument; the second is the conclusion that must be drawn from this passage.
(C) The first is the part of premise that the argument includes; the second is the inference that could be drawn from this passage. (C)
(D) The first is the part of evidence that supports this argument; the second is the inference that could be drawn from this passage.
(E) The first is the first conclusion in this argument; the second is the second conclusion in this argument.

The two indicators "thus" and "consequently" point out the two possible conclusions in the argument. (E) is an attractive answer choice. However, there is only one main conclusion in every argument. In this case the main conclusion is:
in training engineers who will work in industry, less emphasis should be placed on mathematical principles.
The second BF, which follows the phrase "so that," is simply an extension of what might happen if the main conclusion is reached. In logic, that is called inference.

4) Environmental organizations want to preserve the land surrounding the Wilgrinn Wilderness Area from residential development. They plan to do this by purchasing that land from the farmers who own it. That plan is illconceived: if the farmers did sell their land, they would sell it to the highest bidder, and developers would outbid any other bidders. On the other hand, these farmers will never actually sell any of the land, provided that farming it remains viable. But farming will not remain viable if the farms are left unmodernized, and most of the farmers lack the financial resources modernization requires. And that is exactly why a more sensible preservation strategy would be to assist the farmers to modernize their farms to the extent needed to maintain viability.

In the argument as a whole, the two boldface proportions play which of the following roles?

A. The first presents a goal that the argument rejects as ill-conceived; the second is evidence that is presented as grounds for that rejection.
B. The first presents a goal that the argument concludes cannot be attained; the second is a reason offered in support of that conclusion.
C. The first presents a goal that the argument concludes can be attained; the second is a judgment disputing that conclusion.
D. The first presents a goal, strategies for achieving which are being evaluated in the argument; the second is a judgment providing a basis for the argument’s advocacy of a particular strategy. (D)
E. The first presents a goal that the argument endorses; the second presents a situation that the argument contends must be changed if that goal is to be met in the foreseeable future.

Main conclusion:
That plan is ill-conceived and a more sensible preservation strategy would be to assist the farmers to modernize their farms to the extent needed to maintain viability.

5) Aroca City currently funds its public schools through taxes on property. In place of this system, the city plans to introduce a sales tax of three percent on all retail sales in the city. Critics protest that three percent of current retail sales falls short of the amount raised for schools by property taxes. The critics are correct on this point. Nevertheless, implementing the plan will probably not reduce the money going to Aroca's schools. Several large retailers have selected Aroca City as the site for huge new stores, and these are certain to draw large numbers of shoppers from neighboring municipalities, where sales are taxed at rates of six percent and more. In consequence, retail sales in Aroca City are bound to increase substantially.

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

A. The first is an objection that has been raised against a certain plan; the second is a prediction that, if accurate, undermines the force of that objection. (A)
B. The first is a criticism, endorsed by the argument, of a funding plan; the second is a point the argument makes in favor of adopting an alternative plan.
C. The first is a criticism, endorsed by the argument, of a funding plan; the second is the main reason cited by the argument for its endorsement of the criticism.
D. The first is a claim that the argument seeks to refute; the second is the main point used by the argument to show that the claim is false.
E. The first is a claim that the argument accepts with certain reservations; the second presents that claim in a rewarding that is not subject to those reservations.

Main conclusion:
Implementing the plan will probably not reduce the money going to Aroca's schools.

6) The stable functioning of a society depends upon the relatively long-term stability of the goals of its citizens. This is clear from the fact thatunless the majority of individuals have a predictable and enduring set of aspirations, it will be impossible for a legislature to craft laws that will augment the satisfaction of the citizenry, and it should be obvious that a society is stable only if its laws tend to increase the happiness of its citizens.

The claim that a society is stable only if its laws tend to increase the happiness of its citizens plays which one of the following roles in the argument?

(A) It is the conclusion of the argument.
(B) It helps to support the conclusion of the argument. (B)
(C) It is a claim that must be refuted if the conclusion is to be established.
(D) It is a consequence of the argument.
(E) It is used to illustrate the general principle that the argument presupposes.

7) Legal theorist: It is unreasonable to incarcerate anyone for any other reason than that he or she is a serious threat to the property or lives of other people. The breaking of a law does not justify incarceration, for lawbreaking proceeds either from ignorance of the law or of the effects of one’s actions, or from the free choice of the lawbreaker. Obviously mere ignorance cannot justify incarcerating a lawbreaker, and even free choice on the part of the lawbreaker fails to justify incarceration, for free choice proceeds from the desires of an agent, and the desires of an agent are products of genetics and environmental conditioning, neither of which is controlled by the agent

The claim in the first sentence of the passage plays which one of the following roles in the argument

(A) It is offered as a premise that helps to show that no actions are under the control of the agent
(B) It is offered as background information necessary to understand the argument
(C) It is offered as the main conclusion that the argument is designed to establish (C)
(D) It is offered as evidence for the stated claim that protection of life and property is more important than retribution for past illegal acts
(E) It is offered as evidence for the stated claim that lawbreaking proceeds from either ignorance of the law, or ignorance of the effects of one’s actions, or free choice

8) Psychology professor: The percentage of children having psychological problems is higher among children of Sea Turtle parents than among other children in China. However, it would be wrong to conclude that these psychological problems are caused by the difficulty these expatriates’ children have adjusting to a new environment in China. It is just as rational to infer that certain behaviors which accompany the Sea Turtle families before the move —anxiety for and uncertainties of their future—are learned by children from their Sea Turtle parents, and that it is these learned behaviors, rather than the difficulty of adjusting to lives in China, that cause the children’s psychological problems.

What role does the assertion that children of Sea Turtle parents have a higher rate of psychological problems than other children in China play in the argument above?

(A) It is the final conclusion of the argument.
(B) It is an established claim that the argument tries to refute.
(C) It is offered as evidence for the claim that going back to China is harmful to the children of the Sea Turtle parents.
(D) It is offered as evidence for the claim that certain behaviors are often responsible for expatriates and their children.
(E) It is cited as an established finding for which the argument proposes a reasonable explanation. (E)

作者: lxcyun 时间: 2011-6-17 06:47
楼主明见！
关于第二个问题：
2) Something must be done to stop spam. In early days, people seldom received unsolicited email advertisement; but now that numerous bulk email software and email address finders are developed to collect email address all around the world. Advertisers use email addresses to market their products and even sell such email lists to other advertisers. As a result, almost everyone ever get junk email, and sometime several and even tens of annoying emails a day. So, relevant anti-spam regulations should be framed to stop unsolicited advertising.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

A. Background that the argument depends on and conclusion that can be drawn from the argument. (A)
B. Part of evidence that the argument includes, and inference that can be drawn from this passage.
C. Pre-evidence that the argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the conclusion.
D. Background that argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the conclusion.
E. Pre-evidence that argument includes and a method that helps to supports that conclusion.

Main conclusion:
Something must be done to stop spam. Relevant anti-spam regulations should be framed to stop unsolicited advertising.
－－在一段话里可以有两个main point吗？我认为main point是Something must be done to stop spam。因此选E，请解释！谢谢哈

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-6-17 08:22

楼主明见！
关于第二个问题：
2) Something must be done to stop spam. In early days, people seldom received unsolicited email advertisement; but now that numerous bulk email software and email address finders are developed to collect email address all around the world. Advertisers use email addresses to market their products and even sell such email lists to other advertisers. As a result, almost everyone ever get junk email, and sometime several and even tens of annoying emails a day. So, relevant anti-spam regulations should be framed to stop unsolicited advertising.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

A. Background that the argument depends on and conclusion that can be drawn from the argument. (A)
B. Part of evidence that the argument includes, and inference that can be drawn from this passage.
C. Pre-evidence that the argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the conclusion.
D. Background that argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the conclusion.
E. Pre-evidence that argument includes and a method that helps to supports that conclusion.

Main conclusion:
Something must be done to stop spam. Relevant anti-spam regulations should be framed to stop unsolicited advertising.
－－在一段话里可以有两个main point吗？我认为main point是Something must be done to stop spam。因此选E，请解释！谢谢哈

-- by 会员 lxcyun (2011/6/17 6:47:24)

Only one main conclusion. Just different ways to say it.
Something = regulations
done = framed
spam = unsolicited advertising.

The first BF is not pre-evidence. The first BF is a background of the argument (why now is different from before).

The more I read this question and its answer choices, the more I think this is a badly-written question. Both A and B might be the answer. An inference should be Must-be-true. But the last sentence is clearly not Must-be-true.

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-6-17 08:28
More BF questions:

1. Modern navigation systems, which are found in most of today's commercial aircraft, are made with low-power circuitry, which is more susceptible to interference than the vacuum-tube circuitry found in older planes. During landing, navigation systems receive radio signals from the airport to guide the plane to the runway.
Recently, one plane with low-power circuitry veered off course during landing, its dials dimming, when a passenger turned on a laptop computer. Clearly, modern aircraft navigation systems are being put at risk by the electronic devices that passengers carry on board, such as cassette players and laptop computers.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a principle that the argument relies on and the second is a conclusion that can be drawn from the first.
(B) The first is a fact that argument relies on and the second is a conclusion that must be drawn from this argument.
(C) The first acknowledges a consideration that supports that main position; the second is that conclusion.
(D) The first is an evidence that supports the conclusion, the second is that conclusion.
(E) The first is a principle that is necessary for this argument, the second is a conclusion that could be drawn from this argument.

2. A double-blind study, in which neither the patient nor the primary researcher knows whether the patient is being given the drug being tested or a placebo, is the most effective procedure for testing the efficacy of a drug.

- But we will not be able to perform such a study on this new drug, since the drug will have various effects on the patients' bodies, which will make us aware of whether the patients are getting the drug or a placebo.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a general consideration that introduces the argument; the second is a special situation that weighs against the first.
(B) The first is a general principle that is necessary for this argument; the second is an anti-consideration that the argument includes.
(C) The first is a premise that this argument includes; the second is a main idea that can be drawn from this argument.
(D) The first is an evidence that this argument includes; the second is a conclusion that can not be drawn from this argument.
(E) The first is a general situation that supports this argument; the second is a conclusion that can be drawn from a special fact.

3. The interstitial nucleus, a sub-region of the brain's hypothalamus, is typically smaller for male cats than for female cats. A neurobiologist performed autopsies on male cats who died from disease X, a disease affecting no more than 0.5 percent of male cats, and found that these male cats had interstitial nuclei that were as large as those generally found in female cats. Thus, the size of the interstitial nucleus determines whether or not male cats can contract disease X, but, the hypothalamus is known not to be causally linked to disease Y, and disease X is a subtype of disease Y.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a fact in support of the consideration that is one of two points of this argument; the second is the alternative point that weighs against the first.
(B) The first is an evidence that supports the consideration that the argument includes; the second is the fact that weighs against that consideration that could be drawn from the first.
(C) The first is a general principle that is against the conclusion; the second is that conclusion.
(D) The first is an evidence that supports the conclusion; the second is an exceptional example.
(E) The first is a fact in support of the conclusion that the argument depends on; the second is a fact that is against the first one.

4. More and more computer programs that provide solutions to mathematical problems in engineering are being produced, and it is thus increasingly unnecessary for practicing engineers to have a thorough understanding of fundamental mathematical principles. Consequently, in training engineers who will work in industry, less emphasis should be placed on mathematical principles, so that space in the engineering curriculum will be available for other important subjects.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is the second-premise that the argument includes; the second is the conclusion that could be drawn from this passage.
(B) The first is the fact that is necessary for this argument; the second is the conclusion that must be drawn from this passage.
(C) The first is the part of premise that the argument includes; the second is the inference that could be drawn from this passage.
(D) The first is the part of evidence that supports this argument; the second is the inference that could be drawn from this passage.
(E) The first is the first conclusion in this argument; the second is the second conclusion in this argument.

5. Gasoline-powered boat engines manufactured in the a North American country prior to 1990 contribute significantly to the pollution found in the world's oceans. In 1990, however, the government imposed stricter pollution controls on gasoline engines manufactured for boats, and beginning in 1995, the government imposed a program of inspections for pre-1990 boat engines with increasingly rigorous pollution standards. As the older boat engines fail to pass inspection, boat owners are increasingly retiring their old engines in favor of newer, less-polluting boat engines. As a result, the amount of pollution these older boat engines emit into the world's oceans will steadily decrease over the next en years.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a pattern of cause and effect that acts as an evidence in support of this argument; the second is the conclusion that can be drawn from this argument.
(B) The first is a fact that acts as a principle in support of this argument; the second is the conclusion that must be drawn from this argument.
(C) The first is a pattern of cause and effect that acts as an special evidence in support of the conclusion; the second is a general point that can be drawn from this argument.
(D) The first is a pattern of cause and effect that acts as the third evidence in support of the argument; the second is a conclusion that must be true.
(E) The first is a final evidence in support of the argument; the second is a conclusion that can be drawn only from the first.

6. Plants that exhibit certain leaf diseases tend to measure extremely high in the amount of zinc in their leaf and stem tissue. Botanists have discovered that phosphorus of the type typically used in a phosphorus-high fertilizer reacts with the zinc in such a way as to prevent treated plants from exhibiting the leaf diseases, and zinc is the cause and not merely an effect of the leaf diseases. Thus, plants can be cured from these leaf diseases by the use of a fertilizer high in phosphorus.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is the first-premise that the argument includes; the second is the second-premise that is in support of this argument.
(B) The first is the background that the argument includes; the second is the part of evidence in support of this argument.
(C) The first is the first-premise that the argument includes; the second is the consideration that is in support of the first.
(D) The first is the premise that supports the evidence; the second is that evidence.
(E) The first is the first-premise that the argument includes; the second is the second-premise that is complementary to other evidence.

7. To be accepted as a member at the Brown Country Club, one must have a net worth of over ten million dollars and must not have any connections to the entertainment industry. Robert Chase, the publishing magnate, has a net worth of 5 billion dollars and chase has not financed any Hollywood movies, so he must be accepted as a member at the Brown Country Club.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is the part of evidence in support of this argument; the second is the conclusion that could not be drawn from all evidence that the argument contains.
(B) The first is the first-evidence that supports this argument; the second is the mainpoint that must be drawn from all evidence that the argument includes.
(C) The first is the one fact of two that argument includes; the second is the conclusion that could be drawn from this passage.
(D) The first is the background that is necessary for this argument; the second is the conclusion that is not drawn only from the first.
(E) The first is the cause that the argument includes; the second is the effect that can be drawn only from this cause.

8. The survival of the publishing industry depends upon the existence of a public who will buy the printed word in the form of newspapers, books and magazines. Over the past several years, however, the advance of electronic media, particularly CD-ROMs, online computer services, and the Internet, has made 9information available to the public electronically without the need for printed materials. As the availability of electronic media increases and as it is more easily accessible, the public has less need for printed materials. So the publishing industry is threatened by the advance of the computer information age.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is the part of evidence that the argument includes, the second is the conclusion that can be drawn only from the first.
(B) The first is the second-premise that the argument includes; the second is the conclusion that is reasonably drawn form this passage.
(C) The first is the second-premise that the argument includes, the second is the inference that must be drawn from this argument.
(D) The first is the fact that must be true, the second is the inference that can be correctly drawn from this argument.
(E) The first is the part of premise that the argument depends on; the second is the conclusion that is incorrectly drawn from this argument

9. Something must be done to ease traffic congestion. In traditional small towns, people used to work and shop in the same town in which they lived; but now that stores and workplaces are located far away from residential areas, people cannot avoid traveling long distances each day. Traffic congestion is so heavy on all roads that, even on major highways where the maximum speed limit is 55 miles per hour, the actual speed averages only 35 miles per hour. So new businesses should be encouraged to locate closer to where their workers would live.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) Background that the argument depends on and conclusion that can be drawn from the argument.
(B) Part of evidence that the argument includes, and inference that can be drawn from this passage.
(C) Pre-evidence that the argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the conclusion.
(D) Background that argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the conclusion.
(E) Pre-evidence that argument includes and a method that helps to supports that conclusion.

10. Economist: To the extent that homelessness arises from a lack of available housing, it should not be assumed that th profit motive is at fault. Private investors will, in general, provide housing if hte market allows them to make a profit; it is unrealistic to expect investors to take risks with their property unless they get some benefit in return.

Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the economist's argument by the phrase "To the extent that homelessness arises from lack of available housing"?
A) It limits the application of the argument to a part of the problem
B) IT suggests that the primary cause of homelessness is lack of available housing.
C) It is offered as evidence crucial to the conclusion
D) It expresses the conclusion to be argued for
E) It suggests a possible solution to the problem of homelessness.

作者: asuka1985 时间: 2011-6-17 10:25
牛牛，请教，what does pre-evidence mean

作者: innerwarrior 时间: 2011-6-17 11:04
SDCAR,

For the question2, why does the second phase also to be the conclustion, In my thought, in one paragraphy, only one is the main clusion, thx

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-6-18 00:59
Pre-evidence is similar to background, which should not be counted as evidence in an argument.

No. 2 does not have a typical structure for argument. In essence, it says:
Something must be done. The reason is such and such. So we should do this.

Based on this structure, the 2nd BF is either a conclusion or an opinion/suggestion of the author. But the point is that the author builds up his case by going back to the old days when no spam was found through email and comparing with the current day emails, then concludes that a regulation is needed. In that sense, the 2nd BF is a conclusion and loops back to the opening statement (1st sentence).

作者: lxcyun 时间: 2011-6-18 02:32
lz辛苦了，谢谢啦～
请告知这部分答案。

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-6-18 07:31
Note: the following answer keys might not be correct

1.C (E?)
2.B
3.A (B?)
4.E (C?)
5.A
6.E
7.A
8.D
9.B (A?)
10.A

作者: jameshzd 时间: 2011-6-18 18:53
Could you please explain question 4 in detail ? I mistakenly chose A for this qustion. Thank you !!

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-6-18 20:19
4. More and more computer programs that provide solutions to mathematical problems in engineering are being produced, and it is thus increasingly unnecessary for practicing engineers to have a thorough understanding of fundamental mathematical principles. Consequently, in training engineers who will work in industry, less emphasis should be placed on mathematical principles, so that space in the engineering curriculum will be available for other important subjects.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is the second-premise that the argument includes; the second is the conclusion that could be drawn from this passage.
(B) The first is the fact that is necessary for this argument; the second is the conclusion that must be drawn from this passage.
(C) The first is the part of premise that the argument includes; the second is the inference that could be drawn from this passage.
(D) The first is the part of evidence that supports this argument; the second is the inference that could be drawn from this passage.
(E) The first is the first conclusion in this argument; the second is the second conclusion in this argument.

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-6-18 20:35

4. More and more computer programs that provide solutions to mathematical problems in engineering are being produced, and it is thus increasingly unnecessary for practicing engineers to have a thorough understanding of fundamental mathematical principles. Consequently, in training engineers who will work in industry, less emphasis should be placed on mathematical principles, so that space in the engineering curriculum will be available for other important subjects.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is the second-premise that the argument includes; the second is the conclusion that could be drawn from this passage.
(B) The first is the fact that is necessary for this argument; the second is the conclusion that must be drawn from this passage.
(C) The first is the part of premise that the argument includes; the second is the inference that could be drawn from this passage.
(D) The first is the part of evidence that supports this argument; the second is the inference that could be drawn from this passage.
(E) The first is the first conclusion in this argument; the second is the second conclusion in this argument.

-- by 会员 sdcar2010 (2011/6/18 20:19:14)

Premise:
More and more computer programs that provide solutions to mathematical problems in engineering are being produced, and it is thus increasingly unnecessary for practicing engineers to have a thorough understanding of fundamental mathematical principles.

Main conclusion:
Consequently, in training engineers who will work in industry, less emphasis should be placed on mathematical principles,

Inference:
so that space in the engineering curriculum will be available for other important subjects.

The 1st BF is part of the premise. In fact, it is an intermediate conclusion, but remember, intermediate conclusion is still part of the premise for the main conclusion. If you call it the 2nd premise, that is correct.

The 2nd BF is the trick part. The phrases "so that" and "will be" indicates that this sentence is a prediction or purpose or extension derived from the main conclusion. In that sense, it is an inference, not a conclusion.

作者: lxcyun 时间: 2011-6-19 06:43
标题: please kindly confirm the answers again
[quote]
1.C
2.B
3.A
4.E
5.A
6.E
7.A
8.D
9.B
10.A

-- by 会员 sdcar2010 (2011/6/18 7:31:13)
楼主请确证答案－就是你后来贴的10个题，感觉有的不对至少是有的不对，例如第一个应该是E吧第四个应该是C吧等。

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-6-19 08:27

楼主请确证答案－就是你后来贴的10个题，感觉有的不对至少是有的不对，例如第一个应该是E吧第四个应该是C吧等。

-- by 会员 lxcyun (2011/6/19 6:43:27)

Thanks!

作者: jameshzd 时间: 2011-6-19 14:31

-- by 会员 sdcar2010 (2011/6/18 20:19:14)

-- by 会员 sdcar2010 (2011/6/18 20:35:08)

Thank you ! Sdcar2010, but i am little confused about the distiction between the premise and the evidence, i think the 1st BF is part of evidences which parallels with "More and more computer programs that provide solutions to mathematical problems in engineering are being produced" as a whole to substantiate the main conclusion. could you shed some light on the difference between the premise and evidence?

作者: jameshzd 时间: 2011-6-19 15:12
By the way, i think the question 9 should choose E, may be i am wrong, could you please explain why the best answer is B? Thank you !

作者: jameshzd 时间: 2011-6-19 18:02
For question 9, after my deep contemplation, i think the best answer is A not E.

作者: perain 时间: 2011-6-19 18:47
错的好惨，期待sd大神解答。

作者: 于小笨 时间: 2011-6-19 19:45
about this Question, I mistakenly chose A. Could you have a more detailed explaination for me? I agree with your conclusion and opposed opinion, but I would like to know if the optimum answer need to demonstrate entire information according to the passage?

1) Plant scientists have used genetic engineering on seeds to produce crop plants that are highly resistant to insect damage. Unfortunately, the seeds themselves are quite expensive, and the plants require more fertilizer and water to grow well than normal ones. Thus, for most farmers the savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer. However, since consumer demand for grains, fruits, and vegetables grown without the use of pesticides continues to rise, the use of genetically engineered seeds of this kind is likely to become widespread.

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

(A) The first supplies a context for the argument; the second is the argument's main conclusion.
(B) The first introduces a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second is a state of affairs that the argument denies will be part of that outcome.
(C) The first presents a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second acknowledges a consideration that weighs against that prediction. (C)
(D) The first provides evidence to support a prediction that the argument seeks to defend; the second is that prediction.
(E) The first and the second each provide evidence to support the argument's main conclusion.

Main conclusion:
The use of genetically engineered seeds of this kind is likely to become widespread
Opposing opinion:
The savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-6-19 20:35

-- by 会员 jameshzd (2011/6/19 14:31:57)

In a nutshell,
A Premise directly supports a Conclusion; and
An Evidence directly supports a Premise.

Based on the above definition, 1st BF is a premise, not an evidence, since it directly supports the conclusion, not the first premise.

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-6-19 20:39
9. Something must be done to ease traffic congestion. In traditional small towns, people used to work and shop in the same town in which they lived; but now that stores and workplaces are located far away from residential areas, people cannot avoid traveling long distances each day. Traffic congestion is so heavy on all roads that, even on major highways where the maximum speed limit is 55 miles per hour, the actual speed averages only 35 miles per hour. So new businesses should be encouraged to locate closer to where their workers would live.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) Background that the argument depends on and conclusion that can be drawn from the argument.
(B) Part of evidence that the argument includes, and inference that can be drawn from this passage.
(C) Pre-evidence that the argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the conclusion.
(D) Background that argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the conclusion.
(E) Pre-evidence that argument includes and a method that helps to supports that conclusion.

Something must be done to ease traffic congestion (Main Conclusion). In traditional small towns, people used to work and shop in the same town in which they lived; but now that stores and workplaces are located far away from residential areas, people cannot avoid traveling long distances each day (Evidence). Traffic congestion is so heavy on all roads that, even on major highways where the maximum speed limit is 55 miles per hour, the actual speed averages only 35 miles per hour (Premise). So new businesses should be encouraged to locate closer to where their workers would live (inference? or recommendation).

So the structure is: Conclusion, Evidence, Premise, Inference (?) or recommendation.

Inference: It is something that must be true based on certain facts. Normally, it would not show up in an argument in which premises and a conclusion are present. However, we have seen quite a few similar question, where the author starts with a conclusion like (Something must be done) and ends with a recommandation (Somthing very detailed should be done). Does the last sentence fits the bill of an inference? Not quite because it is not a Must-be-true type of answer. It is more like a subsidiary conclusion, something that the author recommends. However, you cannot arrive at the recommendation simply following from the premise given.

Therefore, the answer is a toss-up between A and B.

I suspect the origin of this question is not from GMAC. Too many confusions, no clear-cut winner among the answer choices!

作者: jameshzd 时间: 2011-6-19 20:41

-- by 会员 jameshzd (2011/6/19 14:31:57)

-- by 会员 sdcar2010 (2011/6/19 20:35:40)

Thank you so much ! my dear instructor ~

作者: lxcyun 时间: 2011-6-19 21:16

楼主请确证答案－就是你后来贴的10个题，感觉有的不对至少是有的不对，例如第一个应该是E吧第四个应该是C吧等。

-- by 会员 lxcyun (2011/6/19 6:43:27)

Thanks!

-- by 会员 sdcar2010 (2011/6/19 8:27:57)

LZ热心而强悍，像lz学习观其相背！

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-6-19 21:35
1) Plant scientists have used genetic engineering on seeds to produce crop plants that are highly resistant to insect damage. Unfortunately, the seeds themselves are quite expensive, and the plants require more fertilizer and water to grow well than normal ones. Thus, for most farmers the savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer. However, since consumer demand for grains, fruits, and vegetables grown without the use of pesticides continues to rise, the use of genetically engineered seeds of this kind is likely to become widespread.

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

(A) The first supplies a context for the argument; the second is the argument's main conclusion.
(B) The first introduces a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second is a state of affairs that the argument denies will be part of that outcome.
(C) The first presents a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second acknowledges a consideration that weighs against that prediction. (C)
(D) The first provides evidence to support a prediction that the argument seeks to defend; the second is that prediction.
(E) The first and the second each provide evidence to support the argument's main conclusion.

Main conclusion:
The use of genetically engineered seeds of this kind is likely to become widespread
Opposing opinion:
The savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer

Plant scientists have used genetic engineering on seeds to produce crop plants that are highly resistant to insect damage (Background). Unfortunately, the seeds themselves are quite expensive, and the plants require more fertilizer and water to grow well than normal ones (Premise to support Intermediate Conclusion or opposing opinion). Thus, for most farmers the savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer (Intermediate Conclusion or opposing opinion). However, since consumer demand for grains, fruits, and vegetables grown without the use of pesticides continues to rise (Premise), the use of genetically engineered seeds of this kind is likely to become widespread (Main Conclusion).

There are two viewpoints here. The first part of the argument presents a well-supported opinion or prediction. The last sentence is the author's voice to argue against the opinion/prediction.

A) is a very tempting choice since it mentions Conclusion. But the 2nd BF also contains a Premise as well. Overall, C) is a better choice.

作者: lxcyun 时间: 2011-6-20 11:17
标题: 请LZ给解释第7和8题，谢谢：）
本人将7，选了B；8选了B。纠结中...

作者: perain 时间: 2011-6-20 11:39
Dear Sdcar,

Besides the premise and conclusion(I can discern them now thanks to your posts! ), some other components such as Fact, Principle, Consideration, Prediction and Evidence often shows up in the options.

I found these terms quite confusing, would you please explain more about those components?

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-6-21 00:50
7. To be accepted as a member at the Brown Country Club, one must have a net worth of over ten million dollars and must not have any connections to the entertainment industry. Robert Chase, the publishing magnate, has a net worth of 5 billion dollars and chase has not financed any Hollywood movies, so he must be accepted as a member at the Brown Country Club.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A)The first is the part of evidence in support of this argument; the second is the conclusion that could not be drawn from all evidence that the argument contains.
(B) The first is the first-evidence that supports this argument; the second is the mainpoint that must be drawn from all evidence that the argument includes.
(C) The first is the one fact of two that argument includes; the second is the conclusion that could be drawn from this passage.
(D) The first is the background that is necessary for this argument; the second is the conclusion that is not drawn only from the first.
(E) The first is the cause that the argument includes; the second is the effect that can be drawn only from this cause.

Premises:
1) To be accepted as a member at the Brown Country Club, one must have a net worth of over ten million dollars and must not have any connections to the entertainment industry.
2) Robert Chase, the publishing magnate, has a net worth of 5 billion dollars and Chase has not financed any Hollywood movies.

Conclusion:
Mr. Chase must be accepted as a member at the Brown Country Club

Now the question is: is the conclusion valid? There are two conditions which must be met in order to be accepted as a club member. Mr. Chase is rich enough to meet the first condition. But take a closer look at the second condition: must not have any connections to the entertainment industry. What Mr. Chase has? Chase has not financed any Hollywood movies. Could Mr. Chase know executives in Hollywood movies industry? Yes, he could. Financing movies is only a tiny part of having connections to the entertinment industry. So Mr. Chase does not qualify to join the club based on his own disclosure. Answer choice A) is correct.

作者: lxcyun 时间: 2011-6-21 01:32

7. To be accepted as a member at the Brown Country Club, one must have a net worth of over ten million dollars and must not have any connections to the entertainment industry. Robert Chase, the publishing magnate, has a net worth of 5 billion dollars and chase has not financed any Hollywood movies, so he must be accepted as a member at the Brown Country Club.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A)The first is the part of evidence in support of this argument; the second is the conclusion that could not be drawn from all evidence that the argument contains.
(B) The first is the first-evidence that supports this argument; the second is the mainpoint that must be drawn from all evidence that the argument includes.
(C) The first is the one fact of two that argument includes; the second is the conclusion that could be drawn from this passage.
(D) The first is the background that is necessary for this argument; the second is the conclusion that is not drawn only from the first.
(E) The first is the cause that the argument includes; the second is the effect that can be drawn only from this cause.

Premises:
1) To be accepted as a member at the Brown Country Club, one must have a net worth of over ten million dollars and must not have any connections to the entertainment industry.
2) Robert Chase, the publishing magnate, has a net worth of 5 billion dollars and Chase has not financed any Hollywood movies.

Conclusion:
Mr. Chase must be accepted as a member at the Brown Country Club

Now the question is: is the conclusion valid? There are two conditions which must be met in order to be accepted as a club member. Mr. Chase is rich enough to meet the first condition. But take a closer look at the second condition: must not have any connections to the entertainment industry. What Mr. Chase has? Chase has not financed any Hollywood movies. Could Mr. Chase know executives in Hollywood movies industry? Yes, he could. Financing movies is only a tiny part of having connections to the entertinment industry. So Mr. Chase does not qualify to join the club based on his own disclosure. Answer choice A) is correct.

-- by 会员 sdcar2010 (2011/6/21 0:50:05)

Wonderful explanation! thanks you so much, SDcar!
For question 7, I ignored the premise scope...

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-6-21 01:36
8. The survival of the publishing industry depends upon the existence of a public who will buy the printed word in the form of newspapers, books and magazines. Over the past several years, however, the advance of electronic media, particularly CD-ROMs, online computer services, and the Internet, has made information available to the public electronically without the need for printed materials. As the availability of electronic media increases and as it is more easily accessible, the public has less need for printed materials. So the publishing industry is threatened by the advance of the computer information age.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is the part of evidence that the argument includes, the second is the conclusion that can be drawn only from the first.
(B) The first is the second-premise that the argument includes; the second is the conclusion that is reasonably drawn form this passage.
(C) The first is the second-premise that the argument includes, the second is the inference that must be drawn from this argument.
(D) The first is the fact that must be true, the second is the inference that can be correctly drawn from this argument.
(E) The first is the part of premise that the argument depends on; the second is the conclusion that is incorrectly drawn from this argument

Premise:
1) The availability of electronic media increases.
2) The electronic media is more easily accessible.

Conclusion:
The public has less need for printed materials.

The first two sentences, including the 1st BF, are just background info. The last sentence, which is the 2nd BF, is an inference extended from the conclusion. D) is the correct answer.

B) is wrong because 1st BF is not the premise.

The above is the "official" explanation.

My answer would be:

Premise:
1) The survival of the publishing industry depends upon the existence of a public who will buy the printed word in the form of newspapers, books and magazines.
2) As the availability of electronic media increases and as it is more easily accessible, the public has less need for printed materials.

Conclusion:
So the publishing industry is threatened by the advance of the computer information age.

1st BF: evidence to support the premise
2nd BF: Conclusion.

作者: lxcyun 时间: 2011-6-22 00:55

8. The survival of the publishing industry depends upon the existence of a public who will buy the printed word in the form of newspapers, books and magazines. Over the past several years, however, the advance of electronic media, particularly CD-ROMs, online computer services, and the Internet, has made information available to the public electronically without the need for printed materials. As the availability of electronic media increases and as it is more easily accessible, the public has less need for printed materials. So the publishing industry is threatened by the advance of the computer information age.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is the part of evidence that the argument includes, the second is the conclusion that can be drawn only from the first.
(B) The first is the second-premise that the argument includes; the second is the conclusion that is reasonably drawn form this passage.
(C) The first is the second-premise that the argument includes, the second is the inference that must be drawn from this argument.
(D) The first is the fact that must be true, the second is the inference that can be correctly drawn from this argument.
(E) The first is the part of premise that the argument depends on; the second is the conclusion that is incorrectly drawn from this argument

Premise:
1) The availability of electronic media increases.
2) The electronic media is more easily accessible.

Conclusion:
The public has less need for printed materials.

The first two sentences, including the 1st BF, are just background info. The last sentenc, which is the 2nd BF, is an inference extended from the conclusion. D) is the correct answer.

B) is wrong because 1st BF is not the premise.

The above is the "official" explanation.

My answer would be:

Premise:
1) The survival of the publishing industry depends upon the existence of a public who will buy the printed word in the form of newspapers, books and magazines.
2) As the availability of electronic media increases and as it is more easily accessible, the public has less need for printed materials.

Conclusion:
So the publishing industry is threatened by the advance of the computer information age.

1st BF: evidence to support the premise
2nd BF: Conclusion.

-- by 会员 sdcar2010 (2011/6/21 1:36:12)

非常感谢！看来这题还有点烦。感觉两者都有道理，看答案D有点像废话：“fact that must be ture”, 不true能叫fact吗？这答案很隐藏－晦涩！

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-6-22 02:36
I agree.

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-6-22 12:04

Dear Sdcar,

Besides the premise and conclusion(I can discern them now thanks to your posts! ), some other components such as Fact, Principle, Consideration, Prediction and Evidence often shows up in the options.

I found these terms quite confusing, would you please explain more about those components?

-- by 会员 perain (2011/6/20 11:39:52)

An argument has at least two components: a premise and a conclusion.

The conclusion is supported directly by the premise.

The premise can be supported by Evidence: The followings can be used as evidence to support a premise: statistical studies, historical information, physical evidence, observations, or experiments, eyewitness accounts, news reports, etc.

Opinion or viewpoint or assertion is a statement to affirm or deny a proposition.

Fact: A summary of what happened or what was observed.

Principle: A rule which governs actions.

Prediction: A guess of what might happen in the future

Consideration: A factor to be considered when forming a judgment or making a decision.

作者: perain 时间: 2011-6-27 11:03

-- by 会员 perain (2011/6/20 11:39:52)

-- by 会员 sdcar2010 (2011/6/22 12:04:02)

含泪跪谢

作者: Fellhound 时间: 2011-6-29 21:56
good stuff. Exactly what I need.

作者: 草木染湘 时间: 2011-6-30 16:35
learn more...

作者: qiushuan 时间: 2011-7-3 09:45
For this question,

8) Psychology professor: The percentage of children having psychological problems is higher among children of Sea Turtle parents than among other children in China. However, it would be wrong to conclude that these psychological problems are caused by the difficulty these expatriates’ children have adjusting to a new environment in China. It is just as rational to infer that certain behaviors which accompany the Sea Turtle families before the move —anxiety for and uncertainties of their future—are learned by children from their Sea Turtle parents, and that it is these learned behaviors, rather than the difficulty of adjusting to lives in China, that cause the children’s psychological problems.

What role does the assertion that children of Sea Turtle parents have a higher rate of psychological problems than other children in China play in the argument above?

(A) It is the final conclusion of the argument.
(B) It is an established claim that the argument tries to refute.
(C) It is offered as evidence for the claim that going back to China is harmful to the children of the Sea Turtle parents.
(D) It is offered as evidence for the claim that certain behaviors are often responsible for expatriates and their children.
(E) It is cited as an established finding for which the argument proposes a reasonable explanation. (E)

why B is wrong? is that because the conclusion is not saying that the % is lower? so it is not a refutation?

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-7-3 11:09
"The percentage of children having psychological problems is higher among children of Sea Turtle parents than among other children in China."

The above sentence is simply a fact, not a claim. Claim is a statement made by an author based on facts, background info, known premise, etc. A claim is: Someone thinks something is this or something causes this or something is correct/wrong. A fact usually contains numbers or percentages or other Hard Data.

作者: Vicky90 时间: 2011-7-3 14:21

-- by 会员 lxcyun (2011/6/17 6:47:24)

-- by 会员 sdcar2010 (2011/6/17 8:22:06)

我能认为last sentence is a method for main conclusion 但不是main conclusion ?

作者: Vicky90 时间: 2011-7-3 14:35
LZ 求！！！！

有很多选项说的 inference 我都觉得它是method 。。这俩个可以等同么？？

谢谢~
PS：一直在看LZ的汇总贴，还是新手啊新手~~>\\\<

作者: qiushuan 时间: 2011-7-3 17:17

"The percentage of children having psychological problems is higher among children of Sea Turtle parents than among other children in China."

The above sentence is simply a fact, not a claim. Claim is a statement made by an author based on facts, background info, known premise, etc. A claim is: Someone thinks something is this or something causes this or something is correct/wrong. A fact usually contains numbers or percentages or other Hard Data.

-- by 会员 sdcar2010 (2011/7/3 11:09:32)

thxs!!!!

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-7-4 08:04

LZ 求！！！！

有很多选项说的 inference 我都觉得它是method 。。这俩个可以等同么？？

谢谢~
PS：一直在看LZ的汇总贴，还是新手啊新手~~>\\\<

-- by 会员 Vicky90 (2011/7/3 14:35:23)

Strictly speaking, inference should not be stated in the stimulus/passage. Therefore, quite a few questions listing inference as part of the stimulus/passage are very odd to me. Most likely these are questions from sources other than the GMAC.

作者: MarsTOF 时间: 2011-7-10 15:48
8错3啊哎一会回来做后十道。。

作者: 灭绝湿太 时间: 2011-7-12 00:16
之前木有时间看，现在看了，收获颇丰啊！

感谢lz！！！

作者: rikihsu 时间: 2011-7-12 15:30
感谢LZ啊！

作者: skyindeer 时间: 2011-7-12 21:01
NN 第五题“Aroca City currently funds its public schools through taxes on property. In place of this system, the city plans to introduce a sales tax of three percent on all retail sales in the city. Critics protest that three percent of current retail sales falls short of the amount raised for schools by property taxes. The critics are correct on this point. Nevertheless, implementing the plan will probably not reduce the money going to Aroca's schools. Several large retailers have selected Aroca City as the site for huge new stores, and these are certain to draw large numbers of shoppers from neighboring municipalities, where sales are taxed at rates of six percent and more. In consequence, retail sales in Aroca City are bound to increase substantially.”

答案为什么是A？？？ Main conclusion 为什么不是retail sales in Aroca City are bound to increase substantially？？？

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-7-12 21:19
5) Aroca City currently funds its public schools through taxes on property. In place of this system, the city plans to introduce a sales tax of three percent on all retail sales in the city. Critics protest that three percent of current retail sales falls short of the amount raised for schools by property taxes. The critics are correct on this point. Nevertheless, implementing the plan will probably not reduce the money going to Aroca's schools. Several large retailers have selected Aroca City as the site for huge new stores, and these are certain to draw large numbers of shoppers from neighboring municipalities, where sales are taxed at rates of six percent and more. In consequence, retail sales in Aroca City are bound to increase substantially.

In CR, always pay attention to the author's opion. Here, the author's opinion/main conclusion is that "The critics are correct on this point. Nevertheless, implementing the plan will probably not reduce the money going to Aroca's schools." Then to support the above conlusion, the author listed "Several large retailers have selected Aroca City as the site for huge new stores, and these are certain to draw large numbers of shoppers from neighboring municipalities, where sales are taxed at rates of six percent and more. In consequence, retail sales in Aroca City are bound to increase substantially."

So retail sales in Aroca City are bound to increase substantially is an intermediate conclusion which is also a premise to the main conclusion.

NN 第五题“Aroca City currently funds its public schools through taxes on property. In place of this system, the city plans to introduce a sales tax of three percent on all retail sales in the city. Critics protest that three percent of current retail sales falls short of the amount raised for schools by property taxes. The critics are correct on this point. Nevertheless, implementing the plan will probably not reduce the money going to Aroca's schools. Several large retailers have selected Aroca City as the site for huge new stores, and these are certain to draw large numbers of shoppers from neighboring municipalities, where sales are taxed at rates of six percent and more. In consequence, retail sales in Aroca City are bound to increase substantially.”

答案为什么是A？？？ Main conclusion 为什么不是retail sales in Aroca City are bound to increase substantially？？？

-- by 会员 skyindeer (2011/7/12 21:01:05)

作者: 抓抓sandra 时间: 2011-7-14 17:58
标题: I've got two questions..
Q1
5) ArocaCity currently funds its public schools through taxes on property. In place ofthis system, the city plans to introduce a sales tax of three percent on allretail sales in the city. Critics protest that three percent of current retail sales falls short of the amount raisedfor schools by property taxes. The critics are correct on this point. Nevertheless, implementing the plan will probablynot reduce the money going to Aroca's schools. Several large retailershave selected Aroca City as the site for huge new stores, and these are certainto draw large numbers of shoppers from neighboring municipalities, where salesare taxed at rates of six percent and more. In consequence, retail sales in Aroca City are bound to increasesubstantially.

In theargument given, the two potions in boldface play which of the following roles?

A. The firstis an objection that has been raised against a certain plan; the second is aprediction that, if accurate, undermines the force of that objection.[correct]
B. Thefirst is a criticism, endorsed by the argument, of a funding plan; the secondis a point the argument makes in favor of adopting an alternative plan.
C. Thefirst is a criticism, endorsed by the argument, of a funding plan; the secondis the main reason cited by the argument for its endorsement of the criticism.
D. Thefirst is a claim that the argument seeks to refute; the second is the mainpoint used by the argument to show that the claim is false.
E. The first is a claim thatthe argument accepts with certain reservations; the second presents that claimin a rewarding that is not subject to those reservations.[my false choice]

sdcar, could you please explain the meaning of the underlined part in choice E? I don't fully understand it..> <
plus: the first sentence in choice E is correct, right?

Here is the other question, which i kinda doubt the answer..

Q2
6) The stable functioning of a societydepends upon the relatively long-term stability of the goals of its citizens. This is clear from the fact that unless the majority ofindividuals have a predictable and enduring set of aspirations, it will beimpossible for a legislature to craft laws that will augment the satisfactionof the citizenry, and it should be obvious that a society is stable only if itslaws tend to increase the happiness of its citizens.

The claimthat a society is stable only if its laws tend to increase the happiness of itscitizens plays which one of the following roles in the argument?

(A) It isthe conclusion of the argument.
(B)It helps to support the conclusion of the argument. (也就是前提)
(C) It isa claim that must be refuted if the conclusion is to be established.
(D) It isa consequence of the argument.
(E) It is used to illustrate the general principlethat the argument presupposes.

In your explanation, the highlighted part should be the conclusion, while in choice B it is described as a premise.
Aren't they contradictory? Can you help explain the above two questions please~thx alot~ =）

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-7-14 21:47
E. The first is a claim that the argument accepts with certain reservations; the second presents that claim in a rewarding that is not subject to those reservations.[my false choice]

sdcar, could you please explain the meaning of the underlined part in choice E? I don't fully understand it..> <
plus: the first sentence in choice E is correct, right?

Well, pay attention to this sentence after the 1st BF: "The critics are correct on this point." So no objection/reservation/concerns from the author toward 1st BF.

The underlined part in choice E says that the 2nd BF is a benefit of the 1st BF without any reservation from the author.

In your explanation, the highlighted part should be the conclusion, while in choice B it is described as a premise.
Aren't they contradictory? Can you help explain the above two questions please~thx alot~ =）

You are mistaken. The 1st sentence is the main conclusion of the argument. However, what the question stem asks is the LAST sentence from the paragraph -- "a society is stable only if its laws tend to increase the happiness of its citzens." This sentence is a premise.

Q1
5) ArocaCity currently funds its public schools through taxes on property. In place ofthis system, the city plans to introduce a sales tax of three percent on allretail sales in the city. Critics protest that three percent of current retail sales falls short of the amount raisedfor schools by property taxes. The critics are correct on this point. Nevertheless, implementing the plan will probablynot reduce the money going to Aroca's schools. Several large retailershave selected Aroca City as the site for huge new stores, and these are certainto draw large numbers of shoppers from neighboring municipalities, where salesare taxed at rates of six percent and more. In consequence, retail sales in Aroca City are bound to increasesubstantially.

In theargument given, the two potions in boldface play which of the following roles?

A. The firstis an objection that has been raised against a certain plan; the second is aprediction that, if accurate, undermines the force of that objection.[correct]
B. Thefirst is a criticism, endorsed by the argument, of a funding plan; the secondis a point the argument makes in favor of adopting an alternative plan.
C. Thefirst is a criticism, endorsed by the argument, of a funding plan; the secondis the main reason cited by the argument for its endorsement of the criticism.
D. Thefirst is a claim that the argument seeks to refute; the second is the mainpoint used by the argument to show that the claim is false.
E. The first is a claim thatthe argument accepts with certain reservations; the second presents that claimin a rewarding that is not subject to those reservations.[my false choice]

sdcar, could you please explain the meaning of the underlined part in choice E? I don't fully understand it..> <
plus: the first sentence in choice E is correct, right?

Here is the other question, which i kinda doubt the answer..

Q2
6)The stable functioning of a societydepends upon the relatively long-term stability of the goals of its citizens. This is clear from the fact that unless the majority ofindividuals have a predictable and enduring set of aspirations, it will beimpossible for a legislature to craft laws that will augment the satisfactionof the citizenry, and it should be obvious that a society is stable only if itslaws tend to increase the happiness of its citizens.

The claimthat a society is stable only if its laws tend to increase the happiness of itscitizens plays which one of the following roles in the argument?

(A) It isthe conclusion of the argument.
(B)It helps to support the conclusion of the argument. (也就是前提)
(C) It isa claim that must be refuted if the conclusion is to be established.
(D) It isa consequence of the argument.
(E) It is used to illustrate the general principlethat the argument presupposes.

In your explanation, the highlighted part should be the conclusion, while in choice B it is described as a premise.
Aren't they contradictory? Can you help explain the above two questions please~thx alot~ =）

-- by 会员抓抓sandra (2011/7/14 17:58:58)

作者: 抓抓sandra 时间: 2011-7-14 23:13
I get it now..Thx soooo much!! btw, can I ask where do these exercises come from? GWD? or LSAT?

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-7-14 23:22
I just googled online for bold face and main point questions.

作者: 爱吃巧克力 时间: 2011-7-15 18:49
你好，sdcar。刚看了一楼的第二题，你说pre-evidence和backround类似，但bf1是background却不是pre-evidence，这是为什么？（对于答案我没有问题只是纠结这2个term的差异）。

关于conclusion和inference，是不是可以这么理解，一个bf题里，肯定会有一个结论，不一定会有inference，如果在conclusion的后面还有东西表示一种conclusion的一种extension，那这个extension可以说是inference。否则，不可能在结论都没有的前提下就出现inference，我的理解估计是错的，但这是我看了你的2题之后的结论，呵呵，请指教。

sorrry，还有一个问题
8. The survival of the publishing industry depends upon the existence of a public who will buy the printed word in the form of newspapers, books and magazines. Over the past several years, however, the advance of electronic media, particularly CD-ROMs, online computer services, and the Internet, has made information available to the public electronically without the need for printed materials. As the availability of electronic media increases and as it is more easily accessible, the public has less need for printed materials. So the publishing industry is threatened by the advance of the computer information age.

答案说 Over the past several years, however, the advance of electronic media, particularly CD-ROMs, online computer services, and the Internet, has made information available to the public electronically without the need for printed materials. 是evidence。
可我觉得他怎么看都有点像是fact。是不是可以这么理解，当fact作为证据依据凭据来支持、推出后面的结论的时候，fact和evidence是没有区别的，fact就是evidence，如果答案改成bf1是fact，bf2是conclusion是不是也对？

作者: Ryantengzi 时间: 2011-7-25 16:43
3) More and more computer programs that provide solutions to mathematical problems in engineering are being produced, and it is thus increasingly unnecessary for practicing engineers to have a thorough understanding of fundamental mathematical principles. Consequently, in training engineers who will work in industry, less emphasis should be placed on mathematical principles, so that space in the engineering curriculum will be available for other important subjects.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is the second-premise that the argument includes; the second is the conclusion that could be drawn from this passage.
(B) The first is the fact that is necessary for this argument; the second is the conclusion that must be drawn from this passage.
(C) The first is the part of premise that the argument includes; the second is the inference that could be drawn from this passage. (C)
(D) The first is the part of evidence that supports this argument; the second is the inference that could be drawn from this passage.
(E) The first is the first conclusion in this argument; the second is the second conclusion in this argument.

I am quite confused about the difference between "premise"(in choise C) and "evidence"(in choise D). Hope for ur explaination. Thanks.

作者: jeanblanc 时间: 2011-7-30 23:36

For this question,

8) Psychology professor: The percentage of children having psychological problems is higher among children of Sea Turtle parents than among other children in China. However, it would be wrong to conclude that these psychological problems are caused by the difficulty these expatriates’ children have adjusting to a new environment in China. It is just as rational to infer that certain behaviors which accompany the Sea Turtle families before the move —anxiety for and uncertainties of their future—are learned by children from their Sea Turtle parents, and that it is these learned behaviors, rather than the difficulty of adjusting to lives in China, that cause the children’s psychological problems.

What role does the assertion that children of Sea Turtle parents have a higher rate of psychological problems than other children in China play in the argument above?

(A) It is the final conclusion of the argument.
(B) It is an established claim that the argument tries to refute.
(C) It is offered as evidence for the claim that going back to China is harmful to the children of the Sea Turtle parents.
(D) It is offered as evidence for the claim that certain behaviors are often responsible for expatriates and their children.
(E) It is cited as an established finding for which the argument proposes a reasonable explanation. (E)

why B is wrong? is that because the conclusion is not saying that the % is lower? so it is not a refutation?

-- by 会员 qiushuan (2011/7/3 9:45:44)

Dear Sdcar2010,why D is wrong? Thanks!

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-7-31 10:14
Copied from the web:

Assumption

Unstated information which will link the argument to a logical conclusion. Without this, the argument falls apart.
Something you need for you to draw your conclusion.

Background Elements needed to put the evidence into context but which, as stand alone pieces of information, might not constitute what is called an evidence necessary to arrive at a conclusion. For instance, blood tests performed on one thousand persons may reveal that 35% of those persons were HIV infected. However, the background information could be that the test was performed in more underinformed regions of the world where AIDS knowledge is at a minimum. As you can see, the fact that the test was performed in more underinformed regions is not in and of itself an evidence because it does not allow us to come to a conclusion. Instead, the 35% stats, as a stand-alone piece of info, is what will lead us to the conclusion we want. However, the background info is also crucial and cannot be omitted; it is required background info.
Conclusion Self-explanatory
Consideration Something which was taken into account or given some thought before arriving to the conclusion.
Evidence What is used to support a conclusion (examples, stats, historical events). Although these may include facts, it is usually stronger than facts because they are direct elements needed for the conclusion to stand whereas facts are not necessary for the latter to stand.
Fact Something taken as true at face value (stats, historical events).
Inference

Something that might not be explicitly stated or proved. For instance, you may say that 95% of GMAT test-takers have over 340. We can reasonably infer that Anthony will get more than 340 on his GMAT based on the fact given. I think the main difference b/w an inference and a conclusion is that the former might not be the final line of an argument. For instance, there could be facts/evidence given, an inference in b/w, and then the conclusion. An inference can be an intermediate step before the conclusion which will sum up the whole passage. Also, a conclusion seems to be stronger because it is based on stronger facts/evidence. As in my previous example, we can reasonably infer that Anthony got 340+ on his GMAT but we cannot conclude that he got 340+. See the nuance?
Judgement that you draw from existing facts.
Try not to overthink Inferences and read deep between the lines. Inferences almost seem as too-obvious sometimes, but they are normally the correct.

Pre-evidence This is a bit of a stretch. It will not often be on the test but it seems very similar to "background" information as described above.
Premise This is usually a required statement to arrive at a conclusion. Evidence and facts want to prove something to you whereas premises are there to logically lead you to a conclusion. The best example of premises is the ones included in syllogisms. For instance, you can say that (premise1) when it rains, you go outside. Then, it rains (premise2). You have to be outside (conclusion).
Principle Something fundamental that we do not question. This would be somewhat stronger than a fact because it is not specific to a limited number of cases but instead, apply to a broader range of scenarios(and often deeper in meaning). For instance, you will not talk about the principle that crime is increasing in large cities. Instead, it is a fact which applies to large cities. However, you will talk about the principles of Physics or the fundamental principles of Human Rights. I believe principles convey a stronger connotation than mere facts.

你好，sdcar。刚看了一楼的第二题，你说pre-evidence和backround类似，但bf1是background却不是pre-evidence，这是为什么？（对于答案我没有问题只是纠结这2个term的差异）。

关于conclusion和inference，是不是可以这么理解，一个bf题里，肯定会有一个结论，不一定会有inference，如果在conclusion的后面还有东西表示一种conclusion的一种extension，那这个extension可以说是inference。否则，不可能在结论都没有的前提下就出现inference，我的理解估计是错的，但这是我看了你的2题之后的结论，呵呵，请指教。

sorrry，还有一个问题
8. The survival of the publishing industry depends upon the existence of a public who will buy the printed word in the form of newspapers, books and magazines. Over the past several years, however, the advance of electronic media, particularly CD-ROMs, online computer services, and the Internet, has made information available to the public electronically without the need for printed materials. As the availability of electronic media increases and as it is more easily accessible, the public has less need for printed materials. So the publishing industry is threatened by the advance of the computer information age.

答案说 Over the past several years, however, the advance of electronic media, particularly CD-ROMs, online computer services, and the Internet, has made information available to the public electronically without the need for printed materials. 是evidence。
可我觉得他怎么看都有点像是fact。是不是可以这么理解，当fact作为证据依据凭据来支持、推出后面的结论的时候，fact和evidence是没有区别的，fact就是evidence，如果答案改成bf1是fact，bf2是conclusion是不是也对？

-- by 会员爱吃巧克力 (2011/7/15 18:49:58)

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-7-31 10:17
Evidence is mostly a fact that could be used to support a claim

Premise is a claim or statement.

3) More and more computer programs that provide solutions to mathematical problems in engineering are being produced, and it is thus increasingly unnecessary for practicing engineers to have a thorough understanding of fundamental mathematical principles. Consequently, in training engineers who will work in industry, less emphasis should be placed on mathematical principles, so that space in the engineering curriculum will be available for other important subjects.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is the second-premise that the argument includes; the second is the conclusion that could be drawn from this passage.
(B) The first is the fact that is necessary for this argument; the second is the conclusion that must be drawn from this passage.
(C) The first is the part of premise that the argument includes; the second is the inference that could be drawn from this passage. (C)
(D) The first is the part of evidence that supports this argument; the second is the inference that could be drawn from this passage.
(E) The first is the first conclusion in this argument; the second is the second conclusion in this argument.

I am quite confused about the difference between "premise"(in choise C) and "evidence"(in choise D). Hope for ur explaination. Thanks.

-- by 会员 Ryantengzi (2011/7/25 16:43:06)

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-7-31 10:19
However, the author does not offer any conclusive explanation. The author simply says there are at least two possible explanations.

-- by 会员 qiushuan (2011/7/3 9:45:44)

Dear Sdcar2010,why D is wrong? Thanks!

-- by 会员 jeanblanc (2011/7/30 23:36:02)

作者: lottl 时间: 2011-8-1 23:51
占楼讨论，呵呵

作者: 小蓊 时间: 2011-8-2 23:44
I am a little confused, what is the answer for "more BF question" 4?

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-8-3 00:35
4. More and more computer programs that provide solutions to mathematical problems in engineering are being produced, and it is thus increasingly unnecessary for practicing engineers to have a thorough understanding of fundamental mathematical principles. Consequently, in training engineers who will work in industry, less emphasis should be placed on mathematical principles, so that space in the engineering curriculum will be available for other important subjects.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is the second-premise that the argument includes; the second is the conclusion that could be drawn from this passage.
(B) The first is the fact that is necessary for this argument; the second is the conclusion that must be drawn from this passage.
(C) The first is the part of premise that the argument includes; the second is the inference that could be drawn from this passage.
(D) The first is the part of evidence that supports this argument; the second is the inference that could be drawn from this passage.
(E) The first is the first conclusion in this argument; the second is the second conclusion in this argument.

This one is the same as the No. 3 of the First ten questions.

Premise:
More and more computer programs that provide solutions to mathematical problems in engineering are being produced, and it is thus increasingly unnecessary for practicing engineers to have a thorough understanding of fundamental mathematical principles.

Main conclusion:
Consequently, in training engineers who will work in industry, less emphasis should be placed on mathematical principles,

Inference:
so that space in the engineering curriculum will be available for other important subjects.

The 1st BF is part of the premise. In fact, it is an intermediate conclusion, but remember, intermediate conclusion is still part of the premise for the main conclusion. If you call it the 2nd premise, that is correct.

The 2nd BF is the trick part. The phrases "so that" and "will be" indicates that this sentence is a prediction or purpose or extension derived from the main conclusion. In that sense, it is an inference, not a conclusion.

I am a little confused, what is the answer for "more BF question" 4?

-- by 会员小蓊 (2011/8/2 23:44:51)

作者: 小蓊 时间: 2011-8-3 16:25
3 Q ~~

then what about the question 3? I chose B, since I don't suppot the "one of the point" in A.
And the question 8~

作者: 听枫 时间: 2011-8-9 11:31
Thx a lot!
Before finishing this note I'm so confused with premise and evidence, background and pre-evidence. But it's now all clear to me~~~I really appreciate your kindness~

作者: ba80418 时间: 2011-8-9 14:01
Dear NiuNiu SDCAR,

Could you post the OAs for those 10 more questions again? I am totally confused now....

Many Thanks!!!!^___^

作者: qiuhua01234567 时间: 2011-8-10 17:14
牛牛好，看了你的帖子，写的真的很精彩。我看完一章再总结OG上的题目，今天看到BF。被一道OG题目困惑了，冒昧请求您帮忙解答一下。
79. In countries where automobile insurance
includes compensation for whiplash injuries
sustained in automobile accidents, reports of
having suffered such injuries are twice as
frequent as they are in countries where whiplash
is not covered. Presently, no objective test for
whiplash exists, so it is true that spurious reports of
whiplash injuries cannot be readily identified.
Nevertheless, these facts do not warrant the
conclusion drawn by some commentators that in the
countries with the higher rates of reported whiplash
injuries, half of the reported cases are spurious.
Clearly, in countries where automobile insurance
does not include compensation for whiplash,
people often have little incentive to report
whiplash injuries that they actually have suffered.
In the argument given, the two boldfaced portions play
which of the following roles?
(B)   The first is a claim that the argument disputes;
the second is a conclusion that has been based
on that claim.
(C)   The first is a claim that has been used to
support a conclusion that the argument accepts;
the second is that conclusion.
(D)   The first is evidence that has been used to
support a conclusion for which the argument
provides further evidence; the second is the
main conclusion of the argument.
(E)   The first is a finding whose implications are at
issue in the argument; the second is a claim
presented in order to argue against deriving
certain implications from that finding.
(F)   The first is a finding whose accuracy is evaluated
in the argument; the second is evidence
presented to establish that the finding is
accurate.
（不好意思，我试了好多次，都没法把划线部分弄成划线的,就麻烦下牛牛翻下书，OG12的）
这题中，conclusion是什么？按照OG的解释，clearly后面的是推翻前面的解释。但我觉得把它看成main conclusion也行啊？前面的当成所有原因。能帮忙分析下吗？真的十分感谢。

作者: jessnie 时间: 2011-8-11 16:53
请问楼主第一题选项中“present an development that..."具体是什么意思呢？

作者: VivienneLynn 时间: 2011-8-13 13:01

-- by 会员 perain (2011/6/20 11:39:52)

-- by 会员 sdcar2010 (2011/6/22 12:04:02)

thanks for such a clear definition.

作者: sandychen168 时间: 2011-8-29 15:51
honored sdcar2010:
At first, thank you very very very much for your masterpiece. It successfully dragged me out of a complete mess.

But I still have a question about Q1, whose correct answer says "the first presents a development that the argument ........"

what dose "development" mean in this case?

couldn't thank you more!

作者: shallowshade 时间: 2011-9-5 18:39
sdcar2010:
I' m so lucky that I found this discussion, with your help I get really clear about the elements in CR, mark for further digesting !!!!!

作者: 200814005 时间: 2011-9-8 10:51
sdcar真是细心啊！每次大家问题sdcar都要把问题重新贴出来省的大家去翻前面的原题！
辛苦！受益颇多！多谢！！！

作者: caoqin1981 时间: 2011-9-14 14:18
有后十道题的详细解答吗？谢谢

作者: messia 时间: 2011-9-17 07:10
4) Environmental organizations want to preserve the land surrounding the Wilgrinn Wilderness Area from residential development. They plan to do this by purchasing that land from the farmers who own it. That plan is illconceived: if the farmers did sell their land, they would sell it to the highest bidder, and developers would outbid any other bidders. On the other hand, these farmers will never actually sell any of the land, provided that farming it remains viable. But farming will not remain viable if the farms are left unmodernized, and most of the farmers lack the financial resources modernization requires. And that is exactly why a more sensible preservation strategy would be to assist the farmers to modernize their farms to the extent needed to maintain viability.

In the argument as a whole, the two boldface proportions play which of the following roles?

A. The first presents a goal that the argument rejects as ill-conceived; the second is evidence that is presented as grounds for that rejection.
B. The first presents a goal that the argument concludes cannot be attained; the second is a reason offered in support of that conclusion.
C. The first presents a goal that the argument concludes can be attained; the second is a judgment disputing that conclusion.
D. The first presents a goal, strategies for achieving which are being evaluated in the argument; the second is a judgment providing a basis for the argument’s advocacy of a particular strategy.
E. The first presents a goal that the argument endorses; the second presents a situation that the argument contends must be changed if that goal is to be met in the foreseeable future.

我想问下E错哪了呢？谢谢~

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-9-17 07:46
LS, E) is totally wrong in that it does not make any sense.

Main conclusion:
That plan by the environmental organization is ill-conceived; and a more sensible preservation strategy would be to assist the farmers to modernize their farms to the extent needed to maintain viability.

That said, the first BF is the first sentence of the passage. It ONLY states the goal of the Environmental Organization, not that of the author. We do not know for sure if the author endorses that goal since the author simply analyze the feasibility of the plan reaching the goal. So in that sense, the author is neutral toward the goal.

As to the second BF, it is one of the scenarios the author presents as problems for the evnvironmental organization's plan. It is not a situation that has to be changed in the near future.

作者: gelukkig 时间: 2011-9-20 21:30
6) The stable functioning of a society depends upon the relatively long-term stability of the goals of its citizens. This is clear from the fact thatunless the majority of individuals have a predictable and enduring set of aspirations, it will be impossible for a legislature to craft laws that will augment the satisfaction of the citizenry, and it should be obvious that a society is stable only if its laws tend to increase the happiness of its citizens.

The claim that a society is stable only if its laws tend to increase the happiness of its citizens plays which one of the following roles in the argument?

(A) It is the conclusion of the argument.
(B) It helps to support the conclusion of the argument. (B)
(C) It is a claim that must be refuted if the conclusion is to be established.
(D) It is a consequence of the argument.
(E) It is used to illustrate the general principle that the argument presupposes

没有看懂啊， SHOULD BE这个语气，更像是作者的一个判断, 为什么算PREMISE？

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-9-21 01:01
"This is clear from the fact that . . ." leads the premises of 1) it will be impossible ...; and 2) it should be obvious ...; unless ....

作者: namelessboy 时间: 2011-9-22 22:08
非常佩服sdcar的耐心和扎实的功底，看完此帖受益匪浅。非常感谢。

作者: lq0 时间: 2011-9-30 23:37
The more I read this question and its answer choices, the more I think this is a badly-written question. Both A and B might be the answer. An inference should be Must-be-true. But the last sentence is clearly not Must-be-true.

===================================================
NN可不可以解释一下“An inference should be Must-be-true.”，不是conclusion才是这样嚒？

作者: lq0 时间: 2011-9-30 23:40
可以解释一下inference与conclusion 的区别嚒？
这里的最后一个boldface应该是conclusion ，lz之前不是说An inference should be Must-be-true.

不太懂~~求指教~

作者: 放肆的小狂可 时间: 2011-10-21 17:57
下面添加的十道题能不能解释一下呢？很多疑问。BF题一直做不好，看了LZ的解释有了清晰的概念，但是做题还是存在问题。谢谢！

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-10-22 00:12
Simple. You need to READ what C says: (C) The first presents a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second acknowledges a consideration that weighs against that prediction.

However, since consumer demand for grains, fruits, and vegetables grown without the use of pesticides continues to rise, the use of genetically engineered seeds of this kind is likely to become widespread.

Consideration: consumer demand for grains, fruits, and vegetables grown without the use of pesticides continues to rise

Then the author use this consideration to reject the previous claim (opposing opinion).

作者: bonfin 时间: 2011-10-23 01:01
up~~不是很难

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-10-24 23:08
2. A double-blind study, in which neither the patient nor the primary researcher knows whether the patient is being given the drug being tested or a placebo, is the most effective procedure for testing the efficacy of a drug.

- But we will not be able to perform such a study on this new drug, since the drug will have various effects on the patients' bodies, which will make us aware of whether the patients are getting the drug or a placebo.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a general consideration that introduces the argument; the second is a special situation that weighs against the first.
(B) The first is a general principle that is necessary for this argument; the second is an anti-consideration that the argument includes.
(C) The first is a premise that this argument includes; the second is a main idea that can be drawn from this argument.
(D) The first is an evidence that this argument includes; the second is a conclusion that can not be drawn from this argument.
(E) The first is a general situation that supports this argument; the second is a conclusion that can be drawn from a special fact.

The 1st BF is a general knowledge type principle.
Conclusion is that this type of study would not work for the new drug.
Anti-consideration: consideration which might lead against current theory/principle.

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-10-25 00:25
For 3, What are the premises and what are the conclusions?

作者: UlysessHope 时间: 2011-10-25 13:22
请教sdcar~
请看我分析的对么？

The interstitial nucleus, a sub-region of the brain's hypothalamus, is typically smaller for male cats than for female cats. （background）A neurobiologist performed autopsies on male cats who died from disease X, a disease affecting no more than 0.5 percent of male cats, and found that these male cats had interstitial nuclei that were as large as those generally found in female cats. （premise&evidence）Thus, the size of the interstitial nucleus determines whether or not male cats can contract disease X, （conclusion）but, the hypothalamus is known not to be causally linked to disease Y, and disease X is a subtype of disease Y.（opposing opinion&fact）

这题选什么？我觉得B对啊

consideration是否就=opinion，argument，claim？
fact和evidence有何区别呢？

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-10-27 00:13

请教sdcar~
请看我分析的对么？

The interstitial nucleus, a sub-region of the brain's hypothalamus, is typically smaller for male cats than for female cats. （background）A neurobiologist performed autopsies on male cats who died from disease X, a disease affecting no more than 0.5 percent of male cats, and found that these male cats had interstitial nuclei that were as large as those generally found in female cats. （premise&evidence）Thus, the size of the interstitial nucleus determines whether or not male cats can contract disease X, （conclusion）but, the hypothalamus is known not to be causally linked to disease Y, and disease X is a subtype of disease Y.（opposing opinion&fact）

这题选什么？我觉得B对啊

consideration是否就=opinion，argument，claim？
fact和evidence有何区别呢？

-- by 会员 UlysessHope (2011/10/25 13:22:47)

Your analysis is correct. The answer is between A or B. I am not sure which one is better.

An argument has at least two components: a premise and a conclusion.

The conclusion is supported directly by the premise.

The premise can be supported by Evidence: The followings can be used as evidence to support a premise: statistical studies, historical information, physical evidence, observations, or experiments, eyewitness accounts, news reports, etc.

Opinion or viewpoint or assertion is a statement to affirm or deny a proposition.

Fact: A summary of what happened or what was observed.

Principle: A rule which governs actions.

Prediction: A guess of what might happen in the future

Consideration: A factor to be considered when forming a judgment or making a decision.

作者: UlysessHope 时间: 2011-10-27 08:37
谢谢sdcar！我终于分清楚各个名词的区别了激动

！

作者: twobirds 时间: 2011-10-30 11:37
Hi Sdcar,

In your interpretation, Consideration: A factor to be considered when forming a judgment or making a decision.
Can Consideration be regarded as Premise?

Thank you!

作者: twobirds 时间: 2011-10-30 12:41

4) Environmental organizations want to preserve the land surrounding the Wilgrinn Wilderness Area from residential development. They plan to do this by purchasing that land from the farmers who own it. That plan is illconceived: if the farmers did sell their land, they would sell it to the highest bidder, and developers would outbid any other bidders. On the other hand, these farmers will never actually sell any of the land, provided that farming it remains viable. But farming will not remain viable if the farms are left unmodernized, and most of the farmers lack the financial resources modernization requires. And that is exactly why a more sensible preservation strategy would be to assist the farmers to modernize their farms to the extent needed to maintain viability.

In the argument as a whole, the two boldface proportions play which of the following roles?

A. The first presents a goal that the argument rejects as ill-conceived; the second is evidence that is presented as grounds for that rejection.
B. The first presents a goal that the argument concludes cannot be attained; the second is a reason offered in support of that conclusion.
C. The first presents a goal that the argument concludes can be attained; the second is a judgment disputing that conclusion.
D. The first presents a goal, strategies for achieving which are being evaluated in the argument; the second is a judgment providing a basis for the argument’s advocacy of a particular strategy.
E. The first presents a goal that the argument endorses; the second presents a situation that the argument contends must be changed if that goal is to be met in the foreseeable future.

我想问下E错哪了呢？谢谢~

LS, E) is totally wrong in that it does not make any sense.

Main conclusion:
That plan by the environmental organization is ill-conceived; and a more sensible preservation strategy would be to assist the farmers to modernize their farms to the extent needed to maintain viability.

That said, the first BF is the first sentence of the passage. It ONLY states the goal of the Environmental Organization, not that of the author. We do not know for sure if the author endorses that goal since the author simply analyze the feasibility of the plan reaching the goal. So in that sense, the author is neutral toward the goal.

As to the second BF, it is one of the scenarios the author presents as problems for the evnvironmental organization's plan. It is not a situation that has to be changed in the near future.

-- by 会员 sdcar2010 (2011/9/17 7:46:32)

我有三个问题：
1. B错在哪里呢？是不是把第二句话“They plan to do this by purchasing that land from the farmers who own it. ”变成BF，选项B也正确？

2. Conclusion: That plan by the environmental organization is ill-conceived; and a more sensible preservation strategy would be to assist the farmers to modernize their farms to the extent needed to maintain viability.

通常Conclusion只在文中一处出现，这里是不是通过“and” a more sensible...中的“and”来推断它是和That plan... is ill conceived并列，所以看成都是结论的一部分？如果没有"and"，可不可以把最后一句看成是inference?

另外，在导读部分，Sdcar有提到If the statement is the argument’s main conclusion, for example, but the argument also has an intermediate conclusion, then the answer that the statement “is the author’s only conclusion” would be wrong; it is not the only conclusion, even though it is the main conclusion. 本题中的结论应该看成是两个conclusion（一个是对原来plan的否定，一个是提出新的plan)，还是看成一个main conclusion?
我不知道是不是转牛角尖了！

3.正确选项：如Sdcar在前面导读中提到，2. The correct answer must describe exactly what is happening in the passage. In other words, translate the abstract terms into concrete terms from the passage.
本题的正确选项D，是否可以这样理解：D. The first presents a goal, strategies for achieving which （They plan to do this by purchasing that land from the farmers who own it）are being evaluated in the argument; the second is a judgment (can it be regarded as part of premise?) providing a basis for the argument’s advocacy of a particular strategy（the second part of the conclusion:a more sensible preservation strategy would be to assist the farmers to modernize their farms to the extent needed to maintain viability.
).

希望得到指导。

我循序渐进地在看Sdcar的总结，脉络非常清晰，真是醍醐灌顶的感觉。谢谢大N!
真是希望所有对CR有疑问的人，都能关注到这些帖子！

作者: twobirds 时间: 2011-10-31 09:27
up

作者: ZZmoment 时间: 2011-11-1 15:00
同问！第四题 B 为何不对？

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-11-2 03:10

Hi Sdcar,

In your interpretation, Consideration: A factor to be considered when forming a judgment or making a decision.
Can Consideration be regarded as Premise?

Thank you!

-- by 会员 twobirds (2011/10/30 11:37:14)

Sure. I do not see why not.

作者: xqxqzym 时间: 2011-11-10 04:27
必顶好贴啊··

作者: viola芊 时间: 2011-11-16 14:26
thx

作者: Ellen影子 时间: 2011-11-16 23:30
牛牛谢谢你的讲解对我帮助很大
我想请问下8题中的第4题。Conclusion是 That plan is ill conceived
从这个 ill conceived 可不可以理解这个PLAN 有所欠缺，作者在这里没有直接的反对，也没有表示支持。
所以A reject 错
BC 的 concludes cannot be attained 也错
E endorses 错

这样逻辑好像有问题，请牛牛指教！

作者: 安吉拉丁白痴痴 时间: 2011-11-20 17:37
受益匪浅~THX~

作者: 翠儿卡 时间: 2011-11-25 02:04
LZ, something discussed here: http://gmatclub.com/forum/something-must-be-done-to-ease-traffic-congestion-in-5128.html

i think the answer for #9 "something must be done to ease traffic congestion" is A.

in addition, #2 is almost analogous to #9 in structure.

作者: wildmantomba 时间: 2011-12-28 14:33
有个疑问请教一下
第一组练习题的第二题和第二组练习题的第九题的结构不是一样吗
为什么会有两种答案取向呢

2) Something must be done to stop spam. In early days, people seldom received unsolicited email advertisement; but now that numerous bulk email software and email address finders are developed to collect email address all around the world. Advertisers use email addresses to market their products and even sell such email lists to other advertisers. As a result, almost everyone ever get junk email, and sometime several and even tens of annoying emails a day. So, relevant anti-spam regulations should be framed to stop unsolicited advertising.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

A. Background that the argument depends on and conclusion that can be drawn from the argument. (A)
B. Part of evidence that the argument includes, and inference that can be drawn from this passage.
C. Pre-evidence that the argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the conclusion.
D. Background that argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the conclusion.
E. Pre-evidence that argument includes and a method that helps to supports that conclusion.

-- by 会员 jameshzd (2011/6/19 14:31:57)

-- by 会员 sdcar2010 (2011/6/19 20:35:40)

9. Something must be done to ease traffic congestion. In traditional small towns, people used to work and shop in the same town in which they lived; but now that stores and workplaces are located far away from residential areas, people cannot avoid traveling long distances each day. Traffic congestion is so heavy on all roads that, even on major highways where the maximum speed limit is 55 miles per hour, the actual speed averages only 35 miles per hour. So new businesses should be encouraged to locate closer to where their workers would live.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) Background that the argument depends on and conclusion that can be drawn from the argument.
(B) Part of evidence that the argument includes, and inference that can be drawn from this passage.
(C) Pre-evidence that the argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the conclusion.
(D) Background that argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the conclusion.
(E) Pre-evidence that argument includes and a method that helps to supports that conclusion.

Something must be done to ease traffic congestion (Main Conclusion). In traditional small towns, people used to work and shop in the same town in which they lived; but now that stores and workplaces are located far away from residential areas, people cannot avoid traveling long distances each day (Evidence). Traffic congestion is so heavy on all roads that, even on major highways where the maximum speed limit is 55 miles per hour, the actual speed averages only 35 miles per hour (Premise). So new businesses should be encouraged to locate closer to where their workers would live (inference? or recommendation).

So the structure is: Conclusion, Evidence, Premise, Inference (?) or recommendation.

Inference: It is something that must be true based on certain facts. Normally, it would not show up in an argument in which premises and a conclusion are present. However, we have seen quite a few similar question, where the author starts with a conclusion like (Something must be done) and ends with a recommandation (Somthing very detailed should be done). Does the last sentence fits the bill of an inference? Not quite because it is not a Must-be-true type of answer. It is more like a subsidiary conclusion, something that the author recommends. However, you cannot arrive at the recommendation simply following from the premise given.

Therefore, the answer is a toss-up between A and B.

I suspect the origin of this question is not from GMAC. Too many confusions, no clear-cut winner among the answer choices!

-- by 会员 sdcar2010 (2011/6/19 20:39:38)

作者: wildmantomba 时间: 2011-12-28 23:25

6) The stable functioning of a society depends upon the relatively long-term stability of the goals of its citizens. This is clear from the fact thatunless the majority of individuals have a predictable and enduring set of aspirations, it will be impossible for a legislature to craft laws that will augment the satisfaction of the citizenry, and it should be obvious that a society is stable only if its laws tend to increase the happiness of its citizens.

The claim that a society is stable only if its laws tend to increase the happiness of its citizens plays which one of the following roles in the argument?

(A) It is the conclusion of the argument.
(B) It helps to support the conclusion of the argument. (B)
(C) It is a claim that must be refuted if the conclusion is to be established.
(D) It is a consequence of the argument.
(E) It is used to illustrate the general principle that the argument presupposes

没有看懂啊， SHOULD BE这个语气，更像是作者的一个判断, 为什么算PREMISE？

-- by 会员 gelukkig (2011/9/20 21:30:56)

Conclusion
The stable functioning of a society（A） depends upon the relatively long-term stability of the goals of its citizens（C）.
This is clear from the fact that
Premise 1
unless the majority of individuals have a predictable and enduring set of aspirations（C）, it will be impossible for a legislature to craft laws that will augment the satisfaction of the citizenry （B）
, and it should be obvious that
Premise 2
a society is stable（A） only if its laws tend to increase the happiness of its citizens（B）.

The claim that a society is stable（A） only if its laws tend to increase the happiness of its citizens（B）plays which one of the following roles in the argument?

作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-12-31 01:29
You are right. Both questions have the same argument structure. I tend to think that neither was an authentic GMAT question. So treat my analysis with a grain of salt.

有个疑问请教一下
第一组练习题的第二题和第二组练习题的第九题的结构不是一样吗
为什么会有两种答案取向呢

-- by 会员 wildmantomba (2011/12/28 14:33:42)

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