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

Redeem

Clarify this question

Expert replies
by ichadaram » Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:05 am
Samples from a ceramic vase found at a tomb in Sicily prove that the vase was manufactured in Greece. Since the occupant of the tomb died during the reign of a Sicilian ruler who lived 2,700 years ago, the location of the vase indicates that there was trade between Sicily and Greece 2,700 years ago.
Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
(A) Sicilian potters who lived during the reign of the ruler did not produce work of the same level of quality as did Greek potters.
(B) Sicilian clay that was used in the manufacture of pottery during the ruler's reign bore little resemblance to Greek clay used to manufacture pottery at that time.
(C) At the time that the occupant of the tomb was alive, there were ships capable of transporting large quantities of manufactured goods between Sicily and Greece.
(D) The vase that was found at the Sicilian tomb was not placed there many generations later by descendants of the occupant of the tomb.
(E) The occupant of the tomb was not a member of the royal family to which the Sicilian ruler belonged.


OA:D

Whats wrong with A???
Join the discussion
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

by gmatv09 » Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:00 pm
Concl: There was trade between sicily and greece

Negate D... and you will notice that the concln doesn't hold good ...

Hence D...
Join the discussion

by hitmewithgmat » Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:13 pm
The scope of the argument is the "location". Where was the vase? not the quality of the vase. If you read one more time, the author never mentions "quality" of vase in the premise or the conclusion. Therefore, A is the definite out of scope. nix out, please.

D says the vase wasn't placed there later by descendents of the occupant of the tomb and it is the proper assumption of the argument.

In other words, the descendents(who live 21st century) can't put the vase when their ancestor(who lived 12th century) passed away. The descendents weren't even born. You know what I mean... unless those people have a "back to the future time machine" to travel way back to 12th century to attend the funeral...sounds interesting..


hope this helps.
Disclaimer-I am not a GMAT savvy yet, but I am learning everyday with my fellow beatthegmat citizens.

I AM DETERMINED TO CRASH/NIX OUT/ATTACK BRUTALLY/CRACK VERBAL PART OF GMAT. ROAR!
Join the discussion

by scoobydooby » Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:58 pm
hitmewithgmat,
the descendants can dig up the tombs of their ancestors and put the vases- thats possible. they wouldnt have to travel back in time :)

if they did dig up the tomb and put the vases (recently manufactured in greece) in, then it weakens the conclusion that trade between greece and sicily existed 2700 years ago.
Join the discussion

by hitmewithgmat » Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:18 pm
hahaha scoobydooby,
nice one~ :)
Disclaimer-I am not a GMAT savvy yet, but I am learning everyday with my fellow beatthegmat citizens.

I AM DETERMINED TO CRASH/NIX OUT/ATTACK BRUTALLY/CRACK VERBAL PART OF GMAT. ROAR!
Join the discussion

by ichadaram » Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:46 pm
Thanks a ton dude that helped...
Join the discussion

by gmatmachoman » Sat Oct 31, 2009 12:04 am
LOL...

I loved reading ur comments guys..all abt the travelMachine & Digging the graveyard..wow funny it is!!!


@Scoobydoo ,hitmewithgmat u rock bro!!
Join the discussion

by Testluv » Sat Oct 31, 2009 2:10 pm
...absolutely hilarious!!! :lol:
Kaplan Teacher in Toronto
Join the discussion

by heshamelaziry » Sun Nov 01, 2009 11:36 pm
what is in D that has to do with whether the vase was manufactured in Greece ! If I negate A or C, the argument falls. D seems irrelevant !

Also, here:

Since the occupant of the tomb died during the reign of a Sicilian ruler who lived 2,700 years ago, the location of the vase indicates that there was trade between Sicily and Greece 2,700 years ago.

How are the cause and effect related. I can't make since of this !!!
Join the discussion