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

Redeem
TTP OnDemand GMAT Video Course
Featured Course

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Scott Woodbury-Stewart’s private virtual classroom — 400 hours of master-class video lessons for the GMAT Focus Edition.

  • 715+ score guarantee — highest in the industry (99th percentile)
  • 52 chapters · 1,500+ lessons · 4,000+ practice questions
  • 400 hours of video · 1,500+ instructor-led HD smartboard lessons
  • 300,000+ students accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth & Sloan & more
  • 24/7 live support + weekly Zoom office hours with GMAT instructors
  • TTP AI Assist — 24/7 AI-powered virtual tutor for instant help
  • 1,200+ flashcards + AI-powered study assistant & daily calendar
  • OnDemand, LiveTeach & GMAT Bootcamp formats available
  • Also: GRE, SAT Math & Executive Assessment courses
  • MBA Admissions Consulting now available
  • 🏆 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year
  • 200,000+ students served
  • 5-day free trial — $0 to start, no auto-billing, cancel anytime
★★★★★ 5.0 (559 reviews)
130-pt guarantee
$0 to start then $127/mo
Start Free 5-Day Trial Read 559 Reviews →

knewton-cr-9

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1309
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:41 pmFollowed by: 5 members
Thanked: 33 times
by pradeepkaushal9518 » Fri Aug 27, 2010 5:36 am
Question #9 (incorrect)

The attrition of tooth enamel stems from erosion, which occurs only when teeth grind against hard substances. Therefore, those who regularly clench or grind their teeth together will suffer higher rates of enamel attrition than those who do not.

Which of the following most strongly supports this argument?


(A) Tooth enamel can be chipped in sports accidents.

(B) Grinding and clenching both have the same effect on tooth enamel.

(C) Tooth enamel is an extremely hard substance.

(D) Most people do not grind or clench their teeth together.

(E) Front teeth are more likely to grind against one another than back teeth are.
A SMALL TOWN GUY
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Critical Reasoning |
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 385
Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:16 pmFollowed by: 2 members
Thanked: 29 times
GMAT Score:710

by debmalya_dutta » Fri Aug 27, 2010 7:31 am
my pick is C
@Deb
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 164
Joined: Sun Jul 18, 2010 5:26 amFollowed by: 4 members
Thanked: 49 times
GMAT Score:710

by Maciek » Fri Aug 27, 2010 7:31 am
Hi!

what exactly is incorrect?

IMO C
Last edited by Maciek on Fri Aug 27, 2010 7:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
"There is no greater wealth in a nation than that of being made up of learned citizens." Pope John Paul II

if you have any questions, send me a private message!

should you find this post useful, please click on "thanks" button :)
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 92
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2010 6:56 am
Thanked: 4 times

by abhigang » Fri Aug 27, 2010 7:32 am
IMO C.

The assumption in this argument are :-
1. that teeth is a hard substance
2. people who do not clench/grind their teeth do not come across an equally hard substance as teeth.

But somehow I feel the answer which I have selected becomes an assumption.

Let me know what do you think.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 385
Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:16 pmFollowed by: 2 members
Thanked: 29 times
GMAT Score:710

by debmalya_dutta » Fri Aug 27, 2010 7:33 am
The argument starts out by saying -
The attrition of tooth enamel stems from erosion, which occurs only when teeth grind against hard substances.

and then continues to say - "those who regularly clench or grind their teeth together will suffer higher rates of enamel attrition "

If we can show that the tooth enamel can be categorised as "hard substances" , then the conclusion will get more support .
@Deb
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 92
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2010 6:56 am
Thanked: 4 times

by abhigang » Fri Aug 27, 2010 7:36 am
debmalya_dutta wrote:The argument starts out by saying -
The attrition of tooth enamel stems from erosion, which occurs only when teeth grind against hard substances.

and then continues to say - "those who regularly clench or grind their teeth together will suffer higher rates of enamel attrition "

If we can show that the tooth enamel can be categorised as "hard substances" , then the conclusion will get more support .
@Deb
Can you please tell me then what would be the assuption of this argument?
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1261
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:46 am
Thanked: 27 times
GMAT Score:570

by reply2spg » Fri Aug 27, 2010 8:21 am
I think the answer is B for this. please post the OA
Sudhanshu
(have lot of things to learn from all of you)
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 422
Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 11:47 amFollowed by: 1 member
Thanked: 22 times
GMAT Score:680

by beatthegmatinsept » Fri Aug 27, 2010 8:35 am
Question #9 (incorrect)

The attrition of tooth enamel stems from erosion, which occurs only when teeth grind against hard substances. Therefore, those who regularly clench or grind their teeth together will suffer higher rates of enamel attrition than those who do not.

Which of the following most strongly supports this argument?


(A) Tooth enamel can be chipped in sports accidents.

(B) Grinding and clenching both have the same effect on tooth enamel. The premise says erosion occurs when teeth grind against hard substances. Conclusion: Those who regularly clench or grind their teeth together will suffer higher rates...
Since the premise only talks about grinding, while the conclusion talks about both grinding and clenching, it must be that both have the same effect on tooth enamel.
(C) Tooth enamel is an extremely hard substance.

(D) Most people do not grind or clench their teeth together.

(E) Front teeth are more likely to grind against one another than back teeth are.
Being defeated is often only a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1261
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:46 am
Thanked: 27 times
GMAT Score:570

by reply2spg » Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:03 am
Why I think B is our conclusion is clenching or grinding together will suffer higher rates of enamel attrition.

notice important words here, highlighted in bold.

If I take only one then there will be some impact but not higher impact. If both processes have same impact and if I do both together then rates of enamal attrition will be higher. What if I know that both processess have the same effect and if those 2 processess I use together then effect will be higher.

Therefore, B looks fine here.
pradeepkaushal9518 wrote:Question #9 (incorrect)

The attrition of tooth enamel stems from erosion, which occurs only when teeth grind against hard substances. Therefore, those who regularly clench or grind their teeth together will suffer higher rates of enamel attrition than those who do not.

Which of the following most strongly supports this argument?


(A) Tooth enamel can be chipped in sports accidents.

(B) Grinding and clenching both have the same effect on tooth enamel.

(C) Tooth enamel is an extremely hard substance.

(D) Most people do not grind or clench their teeth together.

(E) Front teeth are more likely to grind against one another than back teeth are.
Sudhanshu
(have lot of things to learn from all of you)
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 385
Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:16 pmFollowed by: 2 members
Thanked: 29 times
GMAT Score:710

by debmalya_dutta » Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:30 am
What is the OA Pradeep ?
@Deb
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 995
Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2010 11:56 pmFollowed by: 1 member
Thanked: 31 times

by paes » Fri Aug 27, 2010 7:18 pm
IMO B
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 1119
Joined: Fri May 07, 2010 8:50 amFollowed by: 3 members
Thanked: 29 times

by diebeatsthegmat » Sat Aug 28, 2010 12:54 am
pradeepkaushal9518 wrote:Question #9 (incorrect)

The attrition of tooth enamel stems from erosion, which occurs only when teeth grind against hard substances. Therefore, those who regularly clench or grind their teeth together will suffer higher rates of enamel attrition than those who do not.

Which of the following most strongly supports this argument?


(A) Tooth enamel can be chipped in sports accidents.

(B) Grinding and clenching both have the same effect on tooth enamel.

(C) Tooth enamel is an extremely hard substance.

(D) Most people do not grind or clench their teeth together.

(E) Front teeth are more likely to grind against one another than back teeth are.
my answer is B and other choices are all irrelevant
give us the OA, hun
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1309
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:41 pmFollowed by: 5 members
Thanked: 33 times

by pradeepkaushal9518 » Sun Aug 29, 2010 7:59 pm
i had choosen B but oa is C
A SMALL TOWN GUY
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 516
Joined: Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:42 amFollowed by: 1 member
Location: Mumbai
Thanked: 14 times
GMAT Score:710

by ankurmit » Sun Aug 29, 2010 10:58 pm
@Pradeep..answer cant be C

C will weaken this argument.If tooth enamel is an extremely hard substance than Grinding and clenching will not effect it much.

B is the only contender.
--------
Ankur mittal
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1172
Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2010 6:20 pmFollowed by: 4 members
Thanked: 74 times

by uwhusky » Sun Aug 29, 2010 11:10 pm
This is a weird question...

However, I do agree that the best answer available is C.

A/D/E are out in first glance because they're irrelevant to the argument , so it's down to B or C.

Conclusion: those who regularly clench or grind their teeth together will suffer higher rates of enamel attrition than those who do not.

(B) Grinding and clenching both have the same effect on tooth enamel.

This statement has almost zero bearing to the conclusion. The conclusion is stating that one group, those who clench or grind their teeth, will suffer higher rates of enamel attrition than another group, those who do not clench or grind their teeth. So whether clench/grind has the same effect within that first group do not challenge the conclusion at all; the group of people who clench/grind their teeth still have higher chance of suffering higher rates of enamel attrition.

I don't necessarily like C because it doesn't actually affect the conclusion, and C is unusual because a strengthening question typically affect the conclusion rather than the premise. So my view on this question is that I don't like it =).
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply