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

Redeem

Fires

Expert replies
by nervesofsteel » Tue Aug 18, 2009 11:49 pm
The town of Enderton is located in an area where forest fires are quite common. During
dry periods and periods of persistent winds, when even a spark can result in a fire that
28
spreads over many acres, the danger of fire there is particularly serious. To help prevent
forest fires in the area, the town government plans to post a ban on outdoor fires when
such conditions prevail.
Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest indication that the town's plan will
have at most a minor effect on the annual number of forest fires in the Enderton area?
A. Most of the tourists who visit the forests surrounding Enderton also visit Enderton
itself.
B. Although there are county fire fighters available to combat forest fires in the area,
Enderton itself has no professional fire fighters.
C. Very few forest fires in the Enderton area result from fires deliberately set by
arsonists.
D. Nearly all forest fires in the Enderton area are the result of lightning strikes.
E. The number of forest fires in the Enderton area has not increased significantly in
the last several years.

OA will be posted soon..
Join the discussion
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

by clar » Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:04 am
D seems the most appropriate as it indicates that the cause of forest fires will not be affected if the government's proposal is enforced.
Join the discussion

by vikram_k51 » Wed Aug 19, 2009 3:52 am
Will go with D on this one.
Join the discussion

by acenikk » Wed Aug 19, 2009 4:25 am
I will also go with D.
Join the discussion

IMO C

by enniguy » Wed Aug 19, 2009 5:33 am
I am inclined towards C. Because D to me has nothing to do with banning outdoor fires. I am not very sure on this one though as D sounds too compelling.

Please post the OA.
Join the discussion

Re: Fires

by gmatmachoman » Wed Aug 19, 2009 6:53 am
nervesofsteel wrote:The town of Enderton is located in an area where forest fires are quite common. During
dry periods and periods of persistent winds, when even a spark can result in a fire that
28
spreads over many acres, the danger of fire there is particularly serious. To help prevent
forest fires in the area, the town government plans to post a ban on outdoor fires when
such conditions prevail.
Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest indication that the town's plan will
have at most a minor effect on the annual number of forest fires in the Enderton area?
A. Most of the tourists who visit the forests surrounding Enderton also visit Enderton
itself.

Nothing to do with "Human Intervention:(who lit the spark that propagates the forest fire)"B. Although there are county fire fighters available to combat forest fires in the area,
Enderton itself has no professional fire fighters.
Nothing to do with "Human Intervention:(who lit the spark that propagates the forest fire)"
C. Very few forest fires in the Enderton area result from fires deliberately set by
arsonists.
Bit tempting..But I avoided it
D. Nearly all forest fires in the Enderton area are the result of lightning strikes.
Strongly gives a reason for the initiation for forest fire.
E. The number of forest fires in the Enderton area has not increased significantly in
the last several years

IMO D

OA plz
Join the discussion

by nervesofsteel » Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:11 am
OA is D
Join the discussion

by ssgmatter » Fri May 21, 2010 7:36 pm
WHY OPTION C IS INCORRECT HERE......ALTHOUGH D MAKES THE BEST SENSE
Best-
Amit
Join the discussion

by bupbebeo » Fri May 21, 2010 7:47 pm
ssgmatter wrote:WHY OPTION C IS INCORRECT HERE......ALTHOUGH D MAKES THE BEST SENSE
the stimulus talks about the OUTDOOR FIRES, it is not talking about one type of outdoor fires. People can have outdoor fires by having a camp fire something like that, not necessarily fire trigger by arsonists.

What if majority of Outdoor fires is campfire which causes forest fires. then, even very few fires caused by arson. the policy is still effective because it prevents campfire from causing forest fires.

hope that helps you
Join the discussion

by ssgmatter » Fri May 21, 2010 8:08 pm
bupbebeo wrote:
ssgmatter wrote:WHY OPTION C IS INCORRECT HERE......ALTHOUGH D MAKES THE BEST SENSE
the stimulus talks about the OUTDOOR FIRES, it is not talking about one type of outdoor fires. People can have outdoor fires by having a camp fire something like that, not necessarily fire trigger by arsonists.

What if majority of Outdoor fires is campfire which causes forest fires. then, even very few fires caused by arson. the policy is still effective because it prevents campfire from causing forest fires.

hope that helps you
I am confused more now....can you elaborate a bit more on this aspect of the qustion

Thanks!
Best-
Amit
Join the discussion

by Mylogin » Sun May 23, 2010 8:44 am
My take on C -

C. Very few forest fires in the Enderton area result from fires deliberately set by
arsonists

Since, very few fires are deliberately set my arsonists hence there is a possibility that forest fires are actually triggered by the outdoor fires. So banning such outdoor fire might have a positive effect to prevent forest fires.

Since question is asking "plan will have at most a minor (and not at least a minor) effect ", this cannot be the right answer.
Join the discussion

by paes » Mon May 24, 2010 4:30 am
Mylogin wrote:My take on C -

C. Very few forest fires in the Enderton area result from fires deliberately set by
arsonists

Since, very few fires are deliberately set my arsonists hence there is a possibility that forest fires are actually triggered by the outdoor fires. So banning such outdoor fire might have a positive effect to prevent forest fires.

Since question is asking "plan will have at most a minor (and not at least a minor) effect ", this cannot be the right answer.
'at most a minor' means :
the plan will not have any effect OR if it has than it will be very minimum.
So now clearly the answer is D.
Join the discussion