Critical Reasoning

Museums that house Renaissance oil paintings typically store them in envbironments that are carefully kept within narrow margins of temperature and humidity to inhibit any deterioration. Laboratory tests have shown that the kind of oil paint used in these paintings actually adjusts to climatic changes quite well. If, as some museum directors believe, paint is the most sensitive substance in these works, then by relaxing the standards for temperature and humidity control, museums can reduce energy costs without risking damage to these aintings. Museums would be rash to relax those standards, however, since results of preliminary tests indicate that gesso, a compound routinely used by Renaissance artists to help paint adhere to the canvas, is unable to withstand significant variations in humidity.
In the argument above, the two portions in boldface play which of the following
roles?
A. The first is an objection that has been raised against the position taken by the
argument; the second is the position taken by the argument.
B. The first is the position taken by the argument; the second is the position that the
argument calls into question.
C. The first is a judgment that has been offered in support of the position that the
argument
calls into question; the second is a circumstance on which that judgment is,
in part based.
D. The first is a judgment that has been offered in support of the position that the
argument
calls into question; the second is that positon.
E. The first is a claim that the argument calls into question; the second is the position
taken by the argument.

OA to follow after some discussions

ohh source is gmatprep

Its D . Got by POE as none other options satisfy

I think it's D. There's a clear reason for this: the author of the passage is clearly vouching against decreasing the energy costs, since this attitude will ultimately lead to the deterioration of paintings.

DanaJ,
I have also opted E, but some sources are siting D as answer. Can you clarify your point on d.

Option D is the answer here because:
- the argument's point is to refute the idea that saving on power will do good
- both highlighted sentences are parts that the author opposes; he does not agree to the idea of savings since this would harm the paintings

DanaJ wrote:Option D is the answer here because:
- the argument's point is to refute the idea that saving on power will do good
- both highlighted sentences are parts that the author opposes; he does not agree to the idea of savings since this would harm the paintings

So you are agreeing D is answer and not E. The source I am referring is not authentic, only other discussion groups, I am skeptical to their choices.

author's Argument is : Museums would be rash to relax those standards

directors belive:
paint is most important stuff.

Director conclusion:
lets relax the standard.

Author is Questioning against the Director's conclusion and director's conclusion is bases on their believe.

Apply first split:
A, B are out.

Apply second split:
D is the answer.

I must admit that D seems to be the answer. What's OA?