Letter to the editor

Bold face problems are pain for me also.
Let me try to answer the problem.
IMO E

A -> Clearly the first is not supporting author's position
B -> The first is a consideration that the author argues is irrelevant -> Right
the second is a consideration in support of the author’s argument -> Wrong, actually it is author's conclusion, (not a support for conclusion)
C -> The first is an assumption that contradicts : Wrong, assumptions ar never stated directly in a argument
D -> The first is a conclusion that stands -> Wrong, first is not a conclusion. It is a fact supporting the author's counter position
E -> The first is a premise -> true
the second is a prediction that the author believes will hold true. -> True

What is OA ?

Thanks akhp77 for opening thread on 'bold face'. Though I am trying to explain my pick, looking forward for a right approach:

Letter to the editor: The Senate recently voted to keep the estate tax, a levy imposed on the transfer of property of the estate of a deceased person to a living person or organization. The primary argument in favor of the estate tax is that it is a necessary component of a system of progressive taxation. Not only is this argument faulty, but the estate tax is also lousy for the economy. Primarily, the estate tax directly penalizes savings and investment, two activities that are vital to create and sustain jobs. Furthermore, the estate tax undermines a strong work ethic by devaluing the link between work and reward.

In the letter to the editor, the two sections in boldface play which of the following roles?

A: The first is a fact in support of the author's position; the second is that position. (first not fact + does not support author's position)

B: The first is a consideration that the author argues is irrelevant; the second is a consideration in support of the author’s argument. (2nd is the author's conclusion...so no question of 'support of authors's agru)

C: The first is an assumption that contradicts the author’s position; the second is a premise in support of the author’s position. (first not assumption...its an assertion+ 2nd is the position)

D: The first is a conclusion that stands in opposition to the author’s position; the second is the author’s position. (1st stands in opposition to authr's position ie 2nd) - IMO

E: The first is a premise that clarifies the author’s position; the second is a prediction that the author believes will hold true. (2nd is not prediction...its author's opinion)

IMO D

akhp77 wrote:Source: MGMAT CAT

Letter to the editor: The Senate recently voted to keep the estate tax, a levy imposed on the transfer of property of the estate of a deceased person to a living person or organization. The primary argument in favor of the estate tax is that it is a necessary component of a system of progressive taxation. Not only is this argument faulty, but the estate tax is also lousy for the economy. Primarily, the estate tax directly penalizes savings and investment, two activities that are vital to create and sustain jobs. Furthermore, the estate tax undermines a strong work ethic by devaluing the link between work and reward.

In the letter to the editor, the two sections in boldface play which of the following roles?

A: The first is a fact in support of the author's position; the second is that position.
B: The first is a consideration that the author argues is irrelevant; the second is a consideration in support of the author's argument.
C: The first is an assumption that contradicts the author's position; the second is a premise in support of the author's position.
D: The first is a conclusion that stands in opposition to the author's position; the second is the author's position.
E: The first is a premise that clarifies the author's position; the second is a prediction that the author believes will hold true.

I could not understand it. How to approach it?
Boldface problem generally gives me pain.

Can you please explain me in detail?

It is E.
First is a fact (in the form of premise), and second is a author's opinion (in the form of prediction).

Prediction is nothing but a opinion author wants to give.

Now how first clarifies (not necessarily supports) the author's position.......actually it is the basis for the author's taking some position.....means it helps the author take some stand on this argument.

D--> First cannot be conclusion of the argument:(

In boldface questions, there are usually two opposing arguments. Make sure you know what the author's conclusion and evidence is, and what the counter-conclusion and counter-evidence is.

The author is arguing against the estate tax. Thus, the first boldface clearly OPPOSES (and does not support or clarify) the author's argument...eliminate A and E.

Becase assumptions are UNSTATED, the role of a statement can never be that of assumption...eliminate C.

The author argues that the first boldface is an argument that is "faulty"--not irrelevant. Eliminate B.

The correct answer is choice D. The first boldface--that the estate tax is necessary to maintain progressive taxation--is a conclusion that opposes the author's argument. The second boldface is the author's argument. (We know the second boldface is the author's position from using keywords: "not only...but...also". In "not only A but also B" constructions, the author is always emphasizing B.)