BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Two options! Experts help

Expert replies
by bryan88 » Sat Mar 03, 2012 4:48 am
In its report for the quarter just ending, Company X announces that in some of its manufacturing processes it plans to begin converting from conventional fuels like oil and natural gas, which are rapidly becoming scarce, to synthetic fuels currently under development in the company's laboratories in Europe and the American far west. Implementation of this plan will almost certainly increase the company's expenses, since even if the synthetic fuels are rendered practical for use they can be expected to cost considerably more than conventional fuels.

Which of the following, if true, casts the most doubt on the argument above?

A)Company X's synthetic fuels will not be ready for use in its manufacturing processes for at least a decade.
B)Whatever increased expenses accrue from the development and use of synthetic fuels can and will be passed on to consumers of Company X's products.
C)Company X's manufacturing processes can be adapted to the use of synthetic fuels at little or no expense.
D)In time, the raw materials used to produce Company X's synthetic fuels will become as scarce as oil and natural gas.
E)Long-needed conservation procedures will become practical when synthetic fuels are introduced and will compensate for the higher cost of the fuels.

Isn't both C and E good here?
Join the discussion
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

by killer1387 » Sat Mar 03, 2012 5:06 am
bryan88 wrote:In its report for the quarter just ending, Company X announces that in some of its manufacturing processes it plans to begin converting from conventional fuels like oil and natural gas, which are rapidly becoming scarce, to synthetic fuels currently under development in the company's laboratories in Europe and the American far west. Implementation of this plan will almost certainly increase the company's expenses, since even if the synthetic fuels are rendered practical for use they can be expected to cost considerably more than conventional fuels.

Which of the following, if true, casts the most doubt on the argument above?

A)Company X's synthetic fuels will not be ready for use in its manufacturing processes for at least a decade.
B)Whatever increased expenses accrue from the development and use of synthetic fuels can and will be passed on to consumers of Company X's products.
C)Company X's manufacturing processes can be adapted to the use of synthetic fuels at little or no expense.
D)In time, the raw materials used to produce Company X's synthetic fuels will become as scarce as oil and natural gas.
E)Long-needed conservation procedures will become practical when synthetic fuels are introduced and will compensate for the higher cost of the fuels.

Isn't both C and E good here?
I will go with E as E directly offers support that price increase wont be an issue as cited in the argument. whereas C talks about cost/expense of manufacturing processes which is irrelevant for the case what argument puts here.
Join the discussion

by GMATGuruNY » Sat Mar 03, 2012 5:18 am
bryan88 wrote:In its report for the quarter just ending, Company X announces that in some of its manufacturing processes it plans to begin converting from conventional fuels like oil and natural gas, which are rapidly becoming scarce, to synthetic fuels currently under development in the company's laboratories in Europe and the American far west. Implementation of this plan will almost certainly increase the company's expenses, since even if the synthetic fuels are rendered practical for use they can be expected to cost considerably more than conventional fuels.

Which of the following, if true, casts the most doubt on the argument above?

A)Company X's synthetic fuels will not be ready for use in its manufacturing processes for at least a decade.
B)Whatever increased expenses accrue from the development and use of synthetic fuels can and will be passed on to consumers of Company X's products.
C)Company X's manufacturing processes can be adapted to the use of synthetic fuels at little or no expense.
D)In time, the raw materials used to produce Company X's synthetic fuels will become as scarce as oil and natural gas.
E)Long-needed conservation procedures will become practical when synthetic fuels are introduced and will compensate for the higher cost of the fuels.

Isn't both C and E good here?
This passage links the HIGHER COST OF THE FUELS to INCREASING THE COMPANY'S EXPENSES.
The correct answer must break this link.
Given the higher cost of one expense, there is only one way for total expenses NOT to increase: the company must SAVE on ANOTHER TYPE OF EXPENSE.
Answer choice C does not imply any type of savings; it simply states that there will not be an increase in the cost of the manufacturing processes.
Only E suggests why there will not be an increase the company's total expenses:
Long-needed conservation procedures will become practical when synthetic fuels are introduced and WILL COMPENSATE FOR THE HIGHER COST of the fuels.

The correct answer is E.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Join the discussion