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

Redeem

700+ Man Question Boldface Question Man

Expert replies
by chaitanya.mehrotra » Tue Jul 26, 2011 12:10 pm
A team of Swedish scientists recently concluded a fifteen year study on the relationship between fatty or lean fish consumption and the risk of kidney cancer; the study revealed that those who ate on average more than one serving per week of fatty fish had 44 percent less risk for developing renal cell carcinoma, the most common form of kidney cancer. Though all previous studies on the relationship between fatty fish and the prevalence of kidney cancer have been inconclusive, the Swedish scientists attribute the lower rate of kidney cancer to increased intake of omega 3 fatty acids. Lean fish is rarely rich in omega 3's, and those in the study who ate lean fish had the same risk for developing renal cell carcinoma as those who ate no fish at all.

In the statement above, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
a)The first is an opinion that is supported by the argument; the second is one part of the information uncovered in the study.
b)The first is a fact that goes against the argument that is being presented; the second is one element of a logical argument in support of the scientists' claim.
c)The first presents the quandary the scientists are attempting to solve; the second is the result of that quandary.
d)The first is a claim in support of the argument; the second is a piece of evidence against the argument.
e)The first is an explanation advocated by the argument; the second is a finding used to challenge that explanation.

OA after some discussion ..took me a long time 3:45 min to solve , let me know ur timing ..
Join the discussion
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

by BlindVision » Tue Jul 26, 2011 12:21 pm
chaitanya.mehrotra wrote:A team of Swedish scientists recently concluded a fifteen year study on the relationship between fatty or lean fish consumption and the risk of kidney cancer; the study revealed that those who ate on average more than one serving per week of fatty fish had 44 percent less risk for developing renal cell carcinoma, the most common form of kidney cancer. Though all previous studies on the relationship between fatty fish and the prevalence of kidney cancer have been inconclusive, the Swedish scientists attribute the lower rate of kidney cancer to increased intake of omega 3 fatty acids. Lean fish is rarely rich in omega 3's, and those in the study who ate lean fish had the same risk for developing renal cell carcinoma as those who ate no fish at all.

In the statement above, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
a)The first is an opinion that is supported by the argument; the second is one part of the information uncovered in the study.
b)The first is a fact that goes against the argument that is being presented; the second is one element of a logical argument in support of the scientists' claim.
c)The first presents the quandary the scientists are attempting to solve; the second is the result of that quandary.
d)The first is a claim in support of the argument; the second is a piece of evidence against the argument.
e)The first is an explanation advocated by the argument; the second is a finding used to challenge that explanation.

OA after some discussion ..took me a long time 3:45 min to solve , let me know ur timing ..
B2:20
Life is a Test
Join the discussion

by pm » Wed Jul 27, 2011 4:12 am
OA D
Join the discussion

by MarkMeier20 » Wed Jul 27, 2011 5:42 am
Join the discussion

by DhruvXVII » Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:14 am
B

01:12
Join the discussion

by e-GMAT » Wed Jul 27, 2011 11:18 am
Choice B is the correct choice here since the role played by both statement 1 and statement 2 are correctly identified with respect to the argument. The argument states that people who eat fatty fish have a lower chance of kidney cancer. Statement 1 states a fact that goes against this finding. Statement 2 simply states a fact that supports the argument by explaining why the benefits are seen with fatty fish and not seen with Lean fish.

Choice A: ST1 is not supported by the argument

Choice C: ST1 is an established fact. It is not a quandary.

Choices D/E are similarly incorrect.

What is tricky in this question?

1. Identifying what the argument is advocating due to the absence of conclusion markers

2. Detecting that BF2 is supporting the argument. This is because many people do not realize that a fact that does not go against the conclusion (i.e. is not an antipremise) in fact supports the argument.


Free Material: The e-GMAT Bold face concept is available free of charge to all registered users at e-gmat. Just register for the free trial and click on Critical Reasoning section after logging in. The concept includes audio visual explanations and 20 GMAT like problems. You also get access to 70-80 additional problems as a part of the free trial.
Join the discussion