Critical Reasoning

Delta Products Inc. has recently switched at least partly from older technologies using fossil fuels to new technologies powered by electricity. The question has been raised whether it can be concluded that for a given level of output Delta's operation now causes less fossil fuel to be consumed than it did formerly. The answer, clearly, is yes, since the amount of fossil fuel used to generate the electricity needed to power the new technologies is less than the amount needed to power the older technologies, provided level of output is held constant.

In the argument given, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?

(A) The first identifies the content of the conclusion of the argument; the second provides support for that
conclusion.
(B) The fi rst provides support for the conclusion of the argument; the second identifi es the content of that
conclusion.
(C) The fi rst states the conclusion of the argument; the second calls that conclusion into question.
(D) The fi rst provides support for the conclusion of the argument; the second calls that conclusion into
question.
(E) Each provides support for the conclusion of the argument.

I seem to be facing a lot of difficulty with such kinda problems. Is there any specific strategy to counter these?and please do not share OG Explanations!

Students often have a problem with Boldface Type Questions. I can recommend that you use the techniques I described in the article below:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2012/07/ ... not-enough

In short, it is very important to not only break down the argument into premises, assumptions and conclusions. What's more you need to say what the boldface type portions DO or what their functions in the argument are.

what's the answer? D?

Hi Nishat,

Boldface questions are one of easy questions to crack if you follow the right strategy. In boldface questions one is expected to find out the roles played by the portions of text in the argument. It is just like judging the different characters in a movie. When one is watching a movie, one is constantly judging if the character is a good one or a shady one by constantly judging what the characters say, how they behave. This is exactly one has to do when solving a boldface type question.

Here is the strategy I used.

• Always read a bold face question twice. When you are reading for the first time, forget about the boldface text, read the entire argument and get the overall picture or idea about the argument.

• When you read the argument for the second time, read closely and identify what the boldface text does to the argument as a whole. Is it a mere fact? Is it a conclusion? Is it outside information that authors brings to strengthen or weaken the conclusion?

This strategy of reading twice actually helped me in saving TIME, the most important factor in GMAT.
When I tried to crack boldface question in one reading I was actually taking more time as I was trying to do two things ( getting the overall picture and identifying the roles of the boldface text ) simultaneously and ended up spending more time.

Reading 1: Has to be very quick since the intent is to get the overall picture.
Some technology has changed. Question raised regarding the change. GOOD or BAD? Concludes Good providing some evidence.

Reading 2: Read closely and identify what they do to overall argument.

• Delta Products Inc. has recently switched at least partly from older technologies using fossil fuels to new technologies powered by electricity

This is FACT. The effects of this technology change is debated in the rest of the argument.

• for a given level of output Delta's operation now causes less fossil fuel to be consumed than it did formerly

Now a question has been raised regarding the nature of the change. Whether it has been for good or bad? The rest of the argument concludes by saying it has been for good.

Another tip:
Pick one of the boldface statements and eliminate the answer options which do not align with the statement. I prefer to use second statement most often. Use the statement whose role you are clearly able to judge.

A- the second provides support for that conclusion. No. 2nd statement does not provide support.
B- the second identifies the content of that conclusion. Bit confusing. I will keep this as a contender.
C and D- the second calls that conclusion into question. No.
E- support for the conclusion. No.

Look at option B again. Read the 2nd statement again. "The question has been raised whether it can be concluded that ....." What are the outcomes[content] this question "yes or no". Hence OA is B.