metallicafan wrote:
In the past the country of Malvernia has relied heavily on imported oil. Malvernia recently implemented a program to convert heating systems from oil to natural gas. Malvernia currently produces more natural gas each year than it uses, and oil production in Malvernian oil fields is increasing at a steady pace. If these trends in fuel production and usage continue, therefore, Malvernian reliance on foreign sources for fuel is likely to decline soon.
Which of the following would it be most useful to establish in evaluating the argument?
(A) When, if ever, will production of oil in Malvernia outstrip production of natural gas?
(B) Is Malvernia among the countries that rely most on imported oil?
(C) What proportion of Malvernia's total energy needs is met by hydroelectric, solar, and nuclear power?
(D) Is the amount of oil used each year in Malvernia for generating electricity and fuel for transportation increasing?
(E) Have any existing oil-burning heating systems in Malvernia already been converted to natural-gas-burning heating systems?
The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 13th Edition, 2012Practice QuestionQuestion No.: CR 72
Page: 522
Solutionpassage analysis In the past the country of Malvernia has relied heavily on imported oil.In order to meet the domestic demands, the country of Malvernia used to depend heavily on imported oil.
Malvernia recently implemented a program to convert heating systems from oil to natural gas.Recently Malvernia put into effect a program that would change the requirements of heating systems in the country. The heating systems that used to run on oil will now run on natural gas.
Malvernia currently produces more natural gas each year than it uses,At present, the country’s annual production of natural gas exceeds the demand for it.
and oil production in Malvernian oil fields is increasing at a steady pace.And the Malvernian oil fields are stepping up their oil production at a steady rate.
If these trends in fuel production and usage continue, therefore, Malvernian reliance on foreign sources for fuel is likely to decline soon.If Malvernia continues to produce more natural gas each year than it can use and if its oil production keeps increasing at a steady pace, then it will not need to import oil.
Conclusion:If Malvernia continues to produce more natural gas each year than it can use and if its oil production keeps increasing at a steady pace, then it will not need to import oil although it had heavily relied on imported oil in the past.
pre-thinking Falsification questionIn what scenario will Malvernia still need to import oil?
Given that →The heating systems that used to run on oil will now run on natural gas.
→ At present, the country’s annual production of natural gas exceeds the demand for it.
→the Malvernian oil fields are steadily stepping up their oil production
Thought ProcessThe picture that is painted here is that on one side the demand for oil will go down (heating systems will convert from oil to natural gas) and on the other side the domestic production of natural gas and oil will increase. And so, the necessity to bring in oil from outside will reduce. However, what if the demand also goes up with the increase in production of gas and oil to the extent that it outstrips the domestic supply?
Falsification conditionWhat if the domestic demand for oil and natural gas also keeps increasing at a significantly higher pace than the pace of production of oil and natural gas?
In that case, the demand may soon outrun the supply/production and Malvernia might need to continue to import oil despite its energy fuel production trends.
Assumption The domestic demand for oil and natural gas will not increase at a significantly higher rate than the rate of production of oil and natural gas.
Answer Choice AnalysisACurrently, the heating systems are going to use gas instead of oil. So anyways the requirement for oil is going to go down. And we know that the production of both gas and oil is on the increase. Does the time matter in this scenario? No. Because either way, it does not impact my conclusion.
Hence, it is not the correct choice.
BSince the passage only talks about the scenario at Malvernia, this is irrelevant.
Hence, incorrect choice.
CEven if we get to know the proportion of current energy needs met by hydroelectric, solar, and nuclear power, etc., it does not rule out the possibility of declining oil imports because the fact remains that oil production is increasing steadily.
Hence, this is not the correct option.
DIn other words, this question seeks to know whether the requirement/demand for oil is increasing in Malvernia. The answer to this is in line with our pre-thinking assumption.
Let us use the variance test to be doubly sure.
Yes- The amount of oil used each year in Malvernia for generating electricity and fuel for transportation IS increasing
In this case, there might arise a situation where Malvernia might still need to import oil in spite of its increasing oil production in order to keep up with the demand. This weakens our belief in the conclusion.
No- The amount of oil used each year in Malvernia for generating electricity and fuel for transportation IS NOT increasing
On the other hand, this extreme strengthens our belief in the conclusion. If this is true, then Malvernia will have an excess supply of oil over its demand and will not need to import oil.
Hence, this is the correct answer.
EIf the conversion has already been done, then that has already been accounted for by the argument which talks about the near future situation after the implementation of the oil to gas conversion program. This does not impact our conclusion.
Hence, this is not the correct choice.