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public libraries

by vikram4689 » Fri May 18, 2012 6:26 am
A recent survey shows that the use of public libraries has dwindled to 19% of what it was 30 years ago. The digital age has lead to huge amounts of information being placed at the fingertips of people while they sit in their own homes. Because libraries serve an important function, their services should not be ceased.

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the author's conclusion?

a) The libraries that existed 30 years ago acted as important meeting places for intellectuals and public figures.
b) Sources of information, whether digital or hard copy, should always be verified for accuracy.
c) Digital versions of many books are being created that can be bought via stores on the internet.
d) In some areas, due to a lack of competition between service providers, Internet prices are extremely high.
e) Libraries demand funding which is partly provided by taxes paid by the public.
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by dhonu121 » Fri May 18, 2012 1:12 pm
vikram4689 wrote:A recent survey shows that the use of public libraries has dwindled to 19% of what it was 30 years ago. The digital age has lead to huge amounts of information being placed at the fingertips of people while they sit in their own homes. Because libraries serve an important function, their services should not be ceased.

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the author's conclusion?

a) The libraries that existed 30 years ago acted as important meeting places for intellectuals and public figures.
b) Sources of information, whether digital or hard copy, should always be verified for accuracy.
c) Digital versions of many books are being created that can be bought via stores on the internet.
d) In some areas, due to a lack of competition between service providers, Internet prices are extremely high.
e) Libraries demand funding which is partly provided by taxes paid by the public.
D is the only option that seems to strengthen the argument.
OA please.
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by digvijayk » Fri May 18, 2012 1:31 pm
C -> Library services should not be ceased.
One P -> Libraries serve an important purpose.
Also -> Use of libraries has dwindled in the last 30 years by x%.
And -> Digital age placed info in the hands of the people ... how????
Anti Assumption-> People using digital stuff or something to recieve info and so won't be coming to the library. Because that's what they came for, info!
Assumption -> There are various functions of the library.

A: Libraries were important meeting places. Hmm... so they have some other use too. KEEPING IT.
B: Verified for accuracy ? So what ? Crossed off!
C: Not really supporting our assumption there. So, crossed off!
D: So ? I should be made to believe that we use internet. But that's not mentioned anywhere, "internet" or "service providers". Crossed off!
E: Funding? Crossed off!

Left with only one choice ..... A.
OA please.
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by ice_rush » Fri May 18, 2012 2:49 pm
Choice (A) highlights that important function as mentioned in the stimulus.



What's the source and OA?
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by vikram4689 » Fri May 18, 2012 5:04 pm
OA:d (master gmat)
A: Libraries were important meeting places. Hmm... so they have some other use too. KEEPING IT.
libraries were an important meeting places but it is not clear whether people came primarily to meet each other (in line with what you mentioned) OR they came primarily to access information. If they came for accessing information then they would not come anymore and closing down libraries wont have any harm.

While D intends that some people are not able to access information digitally because of EXTREME prices so closing libraries would harm these people
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by ice_rush » Fri May 18, 2012 5:51 pm
had answer choice (D) contained most..In most areas...then i would've certainly picked it to be the winner. Some could mean 'one'..so not quite sure if that's enough to weaken the argument.
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by tra072011 » Sun May 20, 2012 5:23 pm
Hi

You can find this info by using search box in the top of website with some keywords related before posting questions.
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by jimmyjimmy » Mon May 21, 2012 10:39 am
cee here we have different answers from differetn pepl, but wts the actual answer?????????????????????????????????????
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by thestartupguy » Fri May 25, 2012 12:55 pm
Completely disagree with D, it's clearly A.

I dont like 'some areas' in D, and secondly I don't like relating Internet with digital age - I could be sitting with e-content on my system without accessing the Internet.

Any experts want to take a shot at this Q?
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by jimmyjimmy » Sat May 26, 2012 11:14 am
IMO-B
premise says that digital age has led huge information at the fingertips....
if information should b verified, digital age dont keep people at the fingertips ..so libraries should not be ceased.....
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by [email protected] » Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:50 pm
Well I do not know really how the answer can really be D. It is clearly a A.

The premise clearly says that 'The digital age has lead to huge amounts of information being placed at the fingertips of people while they sit in their own homes.'

When i am getting all the information at my fingertips, then what has price has got to do with that.
The main thing is that what has library got, to say that libraries' use should not be restricted.

Let us say the libraries also charge more or libraries charged the same as the internet charges.

Then obviously the answer will come to A correct.

It is clearly an A.
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by karthikpandian19 » Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:13 pm
Nice strengthen question.

I had a confusion btwn A & D......thanks guys for all your posts. Now i am clear with A
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by patanjali.purpose » Mon Jun 18, 2012 10:31 pm
vikram4689 wrote:OA:d (master gmat)
A: Libraries were important meeting places. Hmm... so they have some other use too. KEEPING IT.
libraries were an important meeting places but it is not clear whether people came primarily to meet each other (in line with what you mentioned) OR they came primarily to access information. If they came for accessing information then they would not come anymore and closing down libraries wont have any harm.

While D intends that some people are not able to access information digitally because of EXTREME prices so closing libraries would harm these people
Choice D makes a big assumption - that libraries are CHEAPER than internet. What if Libraries (eg British libraries in India) that has a significant entry fee for common people to join. But it seems, this choice subtly says EXTREMELY HIGH - silent on HIGHER THAN WHAT. Possibly it says Higher than libraries prices - in such a case, choice may make some sense. But it raises more question, what if People in that 'SOME AREAS' are all Rich (employed and having sufficient earning), thn D is not strong enough.

I also feel A is left after POE, but here again, we do not know whether people really need such meetings - choice talks about 30 YEARS AGO (not now). What if most the present meetings happens over Skype - as internet is at fingertips!!

IMO none of the choices make good sense.
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by Kasia@EconomistGMAT » Tue Jun 19, 2012 2:28 am
I have received a PM asking for an opinion.

My interpretation is as follows:
A - irrelevant, since this answer refers to what was true 30 years ago, we are concerned with the changes taking place currently
B - again this answer neither strengthens nor weakens the argument
C - this answer actually weakens the conclusion since the possibility of buying digital copies of books makes libraries dispensable
E - this statement is also out of scope and neither strengthens nor weakens the argument

Answer
d is correct. If in some areas people cannot afford to use the internet, they need libraries to have access to information.
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by sandeep_thaparianz » Tue Jun 19, 2012 3:53 am
+1for D
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