OG-12, Q-114

Expert replies

niketdoshi123: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 210; Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:24 pmFollowed by: 3 members; Thanked: 62 times

by niketdoshi123 » Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:50 am

Guidebook writer : I have visited hotels throughout the country and have noticed that in those built before 1930 the quality of the original carpentry work is generally superior to that in hotels built afterward. Clearly carpenters working on hotels before 1930 typically worked with more skill, care, and effort than carpenters who have worked on hotels built subsequently.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the guidebook writer's argument?

a) The quality of original carpentry in hotels is generally far superior to the quality of original
carpentry in other structures, such as houses and stores.
b) Hotels built since 1930 can generally accommodate more guests than those built before 1930.
c) The materials available to carpenters working before 1930 were not significantly different in
quality from the materials available to carpenters working after 1930.
d) The better the quality of original carpentry in a building, the less likely that building is to
fall into disuse and be demolished.
e) The average length of apprenticeship for carpenters has declined significantly since 1930.

Source: Beat The GMAT — Critical Reasoning | Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:50 am

Ashujain: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 123; Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2012 4:36 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 29 times

by Ashujain » Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:36 am

niketdoshi123 wrote:Guidebook writer : I have visited hotels throughout the country and have noticed that in those built before 1930 the quality of the original carpentry work is generally superior to that in hotels built afterward. Clearly carpenters working on hotels before 1930 typically worked with more skill, care, and effort than carpenters who have worked on hotels built subsequently.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the guidebook writer's argument?

a) The quality of original carpentry in hotels is generally far superior to the quality of original
carpentry in other structures, such as houses and stores.
b) Hotels built since 1930 can generally accommodate more guests than those built before 1930.
c) The materials available to carpenters working before 1930 were not significantly different in
quality from the materials available to carpenters working after 1930.
d) The better the quality of original carpentry in a building, the less likely that building is to
fall into disuse and be demolished.
e) The average length of apprenticeship for carpenters has declined significantly since 1930.

A) Does not say anything about the time period and hence irrelevant
B) Out of scope
C) Strengthen
D) Weakens because it clearly implies that only those hotels (built before 1930) are still in use which have a good quality of carpentry. So the guidebook writer can not generalize it by concluding that "carpenters working on hotels before 1930 typically worked with more skill, care, and effort than carpenters who have worked on hotels built subsequently".
E) Strengthens

GMATGuruNY: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 15539; Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pmFollowed by: 1906 members; Location: New York, NY; Thanked: 13060 times; GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Mon Jun 11, 2012 4:52 am

niketdoshi123 wrote:Guidebook writer : I have visited hotels throughout the country and have noticed that in those built before 1930 the quality of the original carpentry work is generally superior to that in hotels built afterward. Clearly carpenters working on hotels before 1930 typically worked with more skill, care, and effort than carpenters who have worked on hotels built subsequently.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the guidebook writer's argument?

a) The quality of original carpentry in hotels is generally far superior to the quality of original
carpentry in other structures, such as houses and stores.
b) Hotels built since 1930 can generally accommodate more guests than those built before 1930.
c) The materials available to carpenters working before 1930 were not significantly different in
quality from the materials available to carpenters working after 1930.
d) The better the quality of original carpentry in a building, the less likely that building is to
fall into disuse and be demolished.
e) The average length of apprenticeship for carpenters has declined significantly since 1930.

This argument exhibits a CHANGE IN SCOPE.
The premise is about a very limited SAMPLING: the hotels that the guidebook writer HAS VISITED.
The conclusion is about the WHOLE: ALL hotels built before 1930.

To weaken the conclusion, the correct answer choice likely will show that the SAMPLING -- the hotels that the writer HAS VISITED -- is NOT representative of the WHOLE.

Answer choice D: The better the quality of original carpentry in a building, the less likely that building is to fall into disuse and be demolished..
The implication is that the hotels that were POORLY constructed have likely been DEMOLISHED.
Clearly, the guidebook writer could not have visited these hotels.
Thus, the SAMPLING (the hotels that the writer HAS VISITED) is not representative of the WHOLE (ALL hotels built before 1930).

The correct answer is D.

Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3

GMAT Course Reviews

563 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (563 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review