GWD-12-33 一道Boldfaced题 - ChaseDream

Several of a certain bank’s top executives have recently been purchasing shares in their own bank. This activity has occasioned some surprise, since it is widely believed that the bank, carrying a large number of bad loans, is on the brink of collapse. Since the executives are well placed to know their bank’s true condition, it might seem that their share purchases show that the danger of collapse is exaggerated. However, the available information about the bank’s condition is from reliable and informed sources, and corporate executives do sometimes buy shares in their own company in a calculated attempt to calm worries about their company’s condition. On balance, therefore, it is likely that the executives of the bank are following this example.

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

It is obvious A. Pay attention to the key words "on banlance" that means "In general", and "therefore". What do you think the main conclusion of the argument is?

以下是引用miaoyin_tx在2004-9-3 10:00:00的发言：

Q33:

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

The first describes the circumstance the explanation of which is the issue that the argument addresses; the second states the main conclusion of the argument.

The first describes the circumstance the explanation of which is the issue the argument addresses; the second states a conclusion that is drawn in order to support the main conclusion of the argument.

The first provides evidence to defend the position that the argument seeks to establish against opposing positions; the second states the main conclusion of the argument.

The first provides evidence to support the position that the argument seeks to establish; the second states a conclusion that is drawn in order to support the argument’s main conclusion.

Each provides evidence to support the position that the argument seeks to establish.

如果改成上面的形式，我认为就应该选B，请大家批判（只是讨论嘛，我就自己改了）

以下是引用miaoyin_tx在2004-9-3 10:00:00的发言：

Q33:

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

The first describes the circumstance the explanation of which is the issue that the argument addresses; the second states the main conclusion of the argument.
The first describes the circumstance the explanation of which is the issue the argument addresses; the second states a conclusion that is drawn in order to support the main conclusion of the argument.
The first provides evidence to defend the position that the argument seeks to establish against opposing positions; the second states the main conclusion of the argument.
The first provides evidence to support the position that the argument seeks to establish; the second states a conclusion that is drawn in order to support the argument’s main conclusion.
Each provides evidence to support the position that the argument seeks to establish.

如果改成上面的形式，我认为就应该选B，请大家批判（只是讨论嘛，我就自己改了）

I don't think that's right. the conclusion says: the executives bought the shares purposely to calm worries. That means the danger of collapse is NOT exaggerated. The part you highlighted red is NOT a sub conclusion to support the main conclusion, but the reasoning that the main conclusion runs against. "however" is following the highlight, then an alternative explanation is presented to address the situation of the first bold face.

hi, in this case, I think the main conclusion should be this bank is on the brink of collapse. not just which model the executives are following. clearly, the end clause that are quoted not are not for showing the central conclusion of the argument, but for drawing a subconclusion to support the main idea of this argument.

it s quite common since readers do not need to be educated the superficial event. the author wanna convey some inside info. about the true condition of that bank. therefore, we should choose B,

支持D,我觉得结论是：it might seem that their share purchases show that the danger of collapse is exaggerated，欢迎讨论

conclusion如果和main conclusion同时出现，前者指中间结论，后者指最终结论

而第二个粗体部分则是这些Banker购买本银行股票的行为跟传说中的行为一样是为了迷惑大众

原文说，先说买自己银行的股票surprising，然后说银行的管理者对银行的情况很了解，那么买自己银行的股票来显示说银行要倒闭的说法是夸大了。

然后注意下面一段：However, the available information about the bank’s condition is from reliable and informed sources, and corporate executives do sometimes buy shares in their own company in a calculated attempt to calm worries about their company’s condition. On balance,

注意on balanace，说了黄颜色和绿颜色的两段是银行的管理者需要平衡的两种情况，1.银行情况确实不佳因为，2.有时他们确实买自己银行的股票来平息担心

文章要说的是，经理们买股票是另有原因的，及文章所说calm down worries。So A is the best answer. therefore 是结论的主要标志词，从行文上来说也是最佳了

我觉得：第一句说银行主管收购银行股份引出了讨论，第二句是说明市场对此事件的反应以及银行经营危机的背景内容。since开头的第三句是对第二句的理论支持。However转折了一下,说出另一种理论上的可能性，既管理层的信息来源更可靠，他们收购股票可能是为了平息市场上的风言风语。On balance, therefore, it is likely that the executives of the bank are following this example.给出全文结论。综合考虑之后，分析者倾向第二种观点，following this example应该指最近的however之后的内容。

还是不明白，Several of a certain bank’s top executives have recently been purchasing shares in their own bank难道不是描述的现象么？为什么A不对啊？

The first present a circumstance for argument of purpose of the executive hare repurchase. Then the author interpret such behavior as an exaggeration of the known bank crisis. Thereafter, the author arguing from the counter perspective by introducing another behavior incentive that is to calm the worry for the investors. Finally the author say “ on balance”, that is under all the light of circumstances, it is likely to be something… On balance has same meaning as In conclusion.

“the second states a conclusion that is drawn in order to support the main conclusion of the argument.” You probably consider the following part as the main conclusion of the passage: “corporate executives do sometimes buy shares in their own company in a calculated attempt to calm worries about their company’s condition.” Indeed I made the same mistake before as you. This judgment, indeed, is the counter evidence introduce to rebut the prior judgment made, and both judgments serve as part of entire reasoning process to reach the conclusion---“ On balance” Without prior two counter judgment made, there would be no grounds for making the claim that “On balance…”