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

Redeem

Bernand & Cora

Expert replies
by uptowngirl92 » Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:30 pm
Bernand: For which language, and thus which frequency distribution of letters and letter sequences, was the standard typewriter keyboard designed?
Bernand To ask this question, you must be making a mistaken assumption: that typing speed was to be maximized. The real danger with early typewriters was that operators would hit successive keys too quickly, thereby crashing typebars into each other, bending connecting wires and so on. So the idea was to slow the operator down by making the most common letter sequences awkward to type.
Bernand: This is surely not right! These technological limitations have long since vanished, yet the keyboard is still as it was then.

Which one of the following, if true, could be used by Cora to counter Bernard’s rejection of her explanation?

(A) Typewriters and word-processing equipment are typically sold to people who have learned to use the standard keyboard and who, therefore, demand it in equipment they buy.
(B) Typewriters have been superseded in most offices by word-processing equipment, which has inherited the standard keyboard from typewriters.
(C) The standard keyboard allows skilled operators to achiever considerable typing speeds, thought it makes acquiring such skills relatively difficult.
(D) A person who has learned one keyboard layout can readily learn to use a second one in place of the first, but only with difficulty learn to use a second one alongside the first.
(E) It is now possible to construct typewriter and word-processing equipment in which a single keyboard can accommodate two or even more different keyboard layouts, each accessible to the operator at will.
Join the discussion
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

by vikram_k51 » Fri Aug 14, 2009 3:26 am
Has to be C
Join the discussion

by perfectstranger » Sat Aug 15, 2009 11:41 am
Is it B not sure?
Please do not post answers visibly . Please hide them or post them later after the discussion.
Join the discussion

by capnx » Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:59 pm
E? lol

OA please.
Join the discussion

by [email protected] » Sun Aug 16, 2009 1:24 am
My guess is B..
Join the discussion

A?

by enniguy » Sun Aug 16, 2009 2:20 am
A anyone?

My explanation:

Cora claims that keyboards are designed to reduce speeds for tech limitation.
Bernard counters it with tech advancements.
Countering Bernard's rejection would be to counter the point he makes on Technological advancements. Option A counters it by saying technological advancement "don't matter" because people prefer it that way.

Tough one. Not sure.. Oa Plz.
Join the discussion

by arorag » Sun Aug 16, 2009 10:05 am
it will be A.....no other choice make sense...
Join the discussion

by bignasty666 » Sun Aug 16, 2009 10:53 am
UPTOWN GIRL IS ROCKING THE CR WORLD..GOOD Q IS IT A?
Join the discussion

by mehravikas » Sun Aug 16, 2009 1:46 pm
IMO - C
Join the discussion

by rseeker2 » Sun Aug 16, 2009 8:11 pm
Is it B?
Join the discussion

by missionGMAT007 » Mon Aug 17, 2009 1:50 am
IMO A
Join the discussion

Re: A?

by life is a test » Mon Aug 17, 2009 9:06 am
IMO B. my take on this is as follows:

the question that I think is being asked is why havent keyboard designs changed if their original purpose was to slow down typist since this problem no longer exists.
B says that this lack of evolution is inherited rather than actively thought out.
Join the discussion

by rainmaker » Mon Aug 17, 2009 11:54 am
I will go with A.
Join the discussion

by urs_maverick » Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:36 pm
IMO D
Join the discussion

by pre-gmat » Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:06 pm
It should be C
Join the discussion