international prestige

[This topic has 10 member replies]
Free $100 Amazon.com Gift Card - Buy a GMAT course using a Beat The GMAT discount code between Mar 8-22 and get a $100 Amazon.com Gift Card. Learn more!
Post New Topic   Post Reply

geemat
Rising GMAT Star

Default Avatar

Joined: 28 Aug 2009
Posts: 43

Thanks given: 1
Thanked 0 times in 0 posts

Topic: international prestige
PostTue Nov 17, 2009 10:15 am

Elapsed Time:
00:00
Lap   Why a timer is critical to improving your score

At one time, European and Japanese companies tried to imitate their American rivals. Today, American appliance manufacturers import European scientists to lead their research staffs; American automakers design cars that mimic the styling of German, Italian, and French imports; and American electronics firms boast in their advertising of “Japanese-style” devotion to quality and reliability. In the world of high technology, America has lost the battle for international prestige.
Each of the following statements, if true, would help to support the claim above EXCEPT:

(A) An American camera company claims in its promotional literature to produce cameras “as fine as the best Swiss imports.”
(B) An American maker of stereo components designs its products to resemble those of a popular Japanese firm.
(C) An American manufacturer of video games uses a brand name chosen because it sounds like a Japanese word.
(D) An American maker of televisions studies German-made televisions in order to adopt German manufacturing techniques.
(E) An American maker of frozen foods advertises its dinners as “Real European-style entrees prepared by fine French and Italian chefs.”
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
heshamelaziry
GMAT Destroyer!

Default Avatar

Joined: 26 Aug 2009
Posts: 869

Thanks given: 61
Thanked 7 times in 6 posts
Location: California

Target GMAT Score: 600

PostTue Nov 17, 2009 8:26 pm

IMO C
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Reply from Top Beat The GMAT Member
papgust
Moderator

Joined: 10 Aug 2009
Posts: 875

Thanks given: 19
Thanked 81 times in 78 posts

Target GMAT Score: 700+
GMAT Score: 500

PostTue Nov 17, 2009 11:03 pm

geemat wrote:
At one time, European and Japanese companies tried to imitate their American rivals. Today, American appliance manufacturers import European scientists to lead their research staffs; American automakers design cars that mimic the styling of German, Italian, and French imports; and American electronics firms boast in their advertising of “Japanese-style” devotion to quality and reliability. In the world of high technology, America has lost the battle for international prestige.
Each of the following statements, if true, would help to support the claim above EXCEPT:

(A) An American camera company claims in its promotional literature to produce cameras “as fine as the best Swiss imports.”
(B) An American maker of stereo components designs its products to resemble those of a popular Japanese firm.
(C) An American manufacturer of video games uses a brand name chosen because it sounds like a Japanese word.
(D) An American maker of televisions studies German-made televisions in order to adopt German manufacturing techniques.
(E) An American maker of frozen foods advertises its dinners as “Real European-style entrees prepared by fine French and Italian chefs.”
I feel that the answer should be A because this shows that America has NOT yet lost the battle for international prestige by showing competitiveness in the international market. Other choices seem to support the claim that America has lost the international prestige.

Please share the OA..!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
heshamelaziry
GMAT Destroyer!

Default Avatar

Joined: 26 Aug 2009
Posts: 869

Thanks given: 61
Thanked 7 times in 6 posts
Location: California

Target GMAT Score: 600

PostTue Nov 17, 2009 11:08 pm

I think you misunderstood the question. it asks for "strengthen except". the argument says that america is not competitive. A will strenghten this conclusion.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Reply from Top Beat The GMAT Member
papgust
Moderator

Joined: 10 Aug 2009
Posts: 875

Thanks given: 19
Thanked 81 times in 78 posts

Target GMAT Score: 700+
GMAT Score: 500

PostTue Nov 17, 2009 11:18 pm

heshamelaziry wrote:
I think you misunderstood the question. it asks for "strengthen except". the argument says that america is not competitive. A will strenghten this conclusion.
I don't think so hesham. In my opinion, A weakens the argument (satisfies the question stem) saying that America do not try to imitate the style of other countries and ready to produce cameras as good as swiss imports.

Others, please let us know your reasoning too..!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
heshamelaziry
GMAT Destroyer!

Default Avatar

Joined: 26 Aug 2009
Posts: 869

Thanks given: 61
Thanked 7 times in 6 posts
Location: California

Target GMAT Score: 600

PostTue Nov 17, 2009 11:28 pm

I got your reasoning on the interpretation of A. However, I see that A is identical to premise in the argument, on which the conclusion is drawn. This is why I think it strengthens.

Let me know what you think
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Reply from Top Beat The GMAT Member
papgust
Moderator

Joined: 10 Aug 2009
Posts: 875

Thanks given: 19
Thanked 81 times in 78 posts

Target GMAT Score: 700+
GMAT Score: 500

PostWed Nov 18, 2009 12:00 am

Hesham,

We are not worried about the premises here. We are only focusing on the way with which author is arriving at the conclusion. Here the conclusion is "In the world of high technology, America has lost the battle for international prestige."

Waiting for other's opinion too..!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
heshamelaziry
GMAT Destroyer!

Default Avatar

Joined: 26 Aug 2009
Posts: 869

Thanks given: 61
Thanked 7 times in 6 posts
Location: California

Target GMAT Score: 600

PostWed Nov 18, 2009 12:19 am

papgust wrote:
Hesham,

We are not worried about the premises here. We are only focusing on the way with which author is arriving at the conclusion. Here the conclusion is "In the world of high technology, America has lost the battle for international prestige."

Waiting for other's opinion too..!
Hi papgust,

the argument syas:

and American electronics firms boast in their advertising of “Japanese-style” devotion to quality and reliability. In the world of high technology, America has lost the battle for international prestige.

So, please enlighten me on how A is different than this, and consequently weaken or has no effect on the conclusion.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
viju9162
GMAT Destroyer!



Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 329

Thanks given: 19
Thanked 5 times in 5 posts
Location: Bangalore

Target GMAT Score: 750+
GMAT Score: 600

PostWed Nov 18, 2009 1:29 am

I guess answer is E. The conclusion talks about technology and it is not supported in E
_________________
I love to win, hate to lose
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
raghavakumar85
Rising GMAT Star



Joined: 30 Sep 2008
Posts: 55

Thanks given: 3
Thanked 5 times in 5 posts

Test Date: Gonna Retake
Target GMAT Score: 680
GMAT Score: 580

PostTue Nov 24, 2009 10:53 am

IMO surely E.

All other choices are about electronics and about the goods mentioned in the argument. Frozen foods is no way related to the argument. So, it cannot strengthen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
mehravikas
GMAT Titan

Default Avatar

Joined: 12 May 2008
Posts: 1162

Thanks given: 29
Thanked 16 times in 16 posts
Location: Sydney

Test Date: ********
Target GMAT Score: 740

PostTue Nov 24, 2009 12:08 pm

The argument talks about high technology and option E talks about frozen foods. IMO - E

On the contrary I feel the question is not good to study.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   

Post New Topic   Post Reply All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1
 
Most Active Members in Last 30 Days
1. harsh.champ 617 posts
2. shashank.ism 493 posts
3. money9111 445 posts
4. ajith 440 posts
5. thephoenix 378 posts
Most Active Experts in Last 30 Days
1. Stuart Kovinsky
Kaplan GMAT Teacher
82 posts
2. lunarpower
Manhattan GMAT Teacher
69 posts
3. Testluv
Kaplan GMAT Teacher
51 posts
4. Lisa Anderson
Stacy Blackman Consulting
43 posts
5. Bryant@VeritasPrep
Veritas Prep
41 posts