Bold Face CR

This topic has expert replies
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 202
Joined: Sun Sep 08, 2013 11:51 am
Thanked: 3 times
Followed by:2 members

Bold Face CR

by sukhman » Wed Feb 24, 2016 9:10 am
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.

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 2663
Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:25 am
Location: Boston, MA
Thanked: 1153 times
Followed by:128 members
GMAT Score:770

by DavidG@VeritasPrep » Wed Feb 24, 2016 9:44 am
sukhman wrote: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.
Let's boil this way down in simple language:

Schools were once funded through property taxes. There's a new plan to fund schools through a 3% sales tax.

First Bold: Critics point out that 3% of current sales won't generate as much tax revenue as the property taxes did.


We're told there will be new stores.

Second Bold: Future sales will be much greater than current sales

Let's start with the first bold. We know that this statement is an argument against the plan. And we know that it's true. ("The critics are correct on this point.)

So what works? D and E are definitely out. The author isn't refuting the claim - it's accepted as true. And the author doesn't accept the claim with reservations. Again: "The critics are correct on this point."

I'd argue that B and C are out too. The argument accepts the claim as true, but doesn't endorse it as a valid criticism of the plan. In that case, we're done. A is the answer.
Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor

Veritas Prep Reviews
Save $100 off any live Veritas Prep GMAT Course