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Planners in City X noticed that many of the trees in the

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Planners in City X noticed that many of the trees in the [#permalink] New post   Updated on: 30 Jun 2013, 05:21
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Planners in City X noticed that many of the trees in the city were dying because of exposure to increased levels of air and water pollution. A study they commissioned revealed that sycamore trees actually thrive in environments with elevated levels of carbon monoxide, the main pollutant emitted by automobiles. In order to reverse the trend of dying trees, the city adopted a policy to replace all sick trees with sycamore trees.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the logic employed by the city planners?

A) In the forest, oak trees live an average of 70 years while sycamore trees only live for an average of 50 years.
B) Automobile manufacturers are developing newer car models that emit significantly fewer pollutants.
C) A survey by Urban Forests found that the sycamore is the most common tree in American cities.
D) The city recently installed low exhaust buses for its public transportation system.
E) Sycamore trees are extremely sensitive to sulfur dioxide, the main component of acid rain.
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E

Originally posted by rdg on 28 Feb 2007, 10:01.
Last edited by Zarrolou on 30 Jun 2013, 05:21, edited 1 time in total.
Added OA.
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Re: CR - City Planners [#permalink] New post   28 Feb 2007, 11:38
[quote="rdg"]Planners in City X noticed that many of the trees in the city were dying because of exposure to increased levels of air and water pollution. A study they commissioned revealed that sycamore trees actually thrive in environments with elevated levels of carbon monoxide, the main pollutant emitted by automobiles. In order to reverse the trend of dying trees, the city adopted a policy to replace all sick trees with sycamore trees.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the logic employed by the city planners?

A) In the forest, oak trees live an average of 70 years while sycamore trees only live for an average of 50 years.
B) Automobile manufacturers are developing newer car models that emit significantly fewer pollutants.
C) A survey by Urban Forests found that the sycamore is the most common tree in American cities.
D) The city recently installed low exhaust buses for its public transportation system.
E) Sycamore trees are extremely sensitive to sulfur dioxide, the main component of acid rain.[/quote]

My Answer: E
Assumption is that sick trees are not Sycamore and the new trees will be able to withstand both air and water pollution. Sycamore is good against air pollution. Acid rain is water pollution and Sycamore is sensitive to it.

We need to prove why Sycamores are not correct choice.
A we dont know if oak will withstand air and water pollution in cities
B It will reduce air pollution not water pollution
C You cant apply a generic statement to a specific city.
D same logic as B
E Looks most promising - though not sure
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[#permalink] New post   28 Feb 2007, 11:41
I think it's E. Although carbon monoxide is the main pollutant emitted by automobiles, it is not the only one. Therefore, there might be other pollutants that could damage sycamore trees, making city's policy of replacing other sick trees ineffective . Choice E is the only choice that addresses this issue.
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[#permalink] New post   28 Feb 2007, 13:08
Yeah E...the city is only addressing half of the problem in Air pollution, and ignoring water pollution
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Re: CR - City Planners [#permalink] New post   28 Feb 2007, 20:30
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rdg wrote:
Planners in City X noticed that many of the trees in the city were dying because of exposure to increased levels of air and water pollution. A study they commissioned revealed that sycamore trees actually thrive in environments with elevated levels of carbon monoxide, the main pollutant emitted by automobiles. In order to reverse the trend of dying trees, the city adopted a policy to replace all sick trees with sycamore trees.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the logic employed by the city planners?

A) In the forest, oak trees live an average of 70 years while sycamore trees only live for an average of 50 years.
B) Automobile manufacturers are developing newer car models that emit significantly fewer pollutants.
C) A survey by Urban Forests found that the sycamore is the most common tree in American cities.
D) The city recently installed low exhaust buses for its public transportation system.
E) Sycamore trees are extremely sensitive to sulfur dioxide, the main component of acid rain.


I would like to choose B here.

In E we are assuming that the city faces the problem of acid rain. That is no where mentioned in the argument as a possibility. E for me is irrelevant.

On the other hand, the argument says that sycamore trees actually thrive in environments with elevated levels of carbon monoxide, the main pollutant emitted by automobiles. When Automobile manufacturers introduce newer car models, that emit significantly fewer pollutants then sycamore trees may not thrive. And who knows, they may even die. Hence, B seems the answer to me.
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Re: CR - City Planners [#permalink] New post   28 Feb 2007, 20:50
aurobindo wrote:
I would like to choose B here.

In E we are assuming that the city faces the problem of acid rain. That is no where mentioned in the argument as a possibility. E for me is irrelevant.

On the other hand, the argument says that sycamore trees actually thrive in environments with elevated levels of carbon monoxide, the main pollutant emitted by automobiles. When Automobile manufacturers introduce newer car models, that emit significantly fewer pollutants then sycamore trees may not thrive. And who knows, they may even die. Hence, B seems the answer to me.


You are right .... didn't read it that closely and missed "the main pollutant emitted by automobiles" part .... shame on me .....
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Re: CR - City Planners [#permalink] New post   28 Feb 2007, 21:01
aurobindo wrote:
rdg wrote:
Planners in City X noticed that many of the trees in the city were dying because of exposure to increased levels of air and water pollution. A study they commissioned revealed that sycamore trees actually thrive in environments with elevated levels of carbon monoxide, the main pollutant emitted by automobiles. In order to reverse the trend of dying trees, the city adopted a policy to replace all sick trees with sycamore trees.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the logic employed by the city planners?

A) In the forest, oak trees live an average of 70 years while sycamore trees only live for an average of 50 years.
B) Automobile manufacturers are developing newer car models that emit significantly fewer pollutants.
C) A survey by Urban Forests found that the sycamore is the most common tree in American cities.
D) The city recently installed low exhaust buses for its public transportation system.
E) Sycamore trees are extremely sensitive to sulfur dioxide, the main component of acid rain.


I would like to choose B here.

In E we are assuming that the city faces the problem of acid rain. That is no where mentioned in the argument as a possibility. E for me is irrelevant.

On the other hand, the argument says that sycamore trees actually thrive in environments with elevated levels of carbon monoxide, the main pollutant emitted by automobiles. When Automobile manufacturers introduce newer car models, that emit significantly fewer pollutants then sycamore trees may not thrive. And who knows, they may even die. Hence, B seems the answer to me.


I would say B is out of scope. Just because car manufacturers are building cars w/ fewer pollutants, we cannot assume that they will even be sold in City X, or that people in City X will drive these cars.

D is close, as it directly attacks carbon monoxide as the cause for thriving trees. But I dont think its strong enough, why did no one choose D, I wonder?

E does make the assumption that water pollution=acid rain, as mentioned in the stem:
trees in the city were dying because of exposure to increased levels of air and water pollution.

Test day I would have chosen E.
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[#permalink] New post   28 Feb 2007, 21:45
OA ia 'E'

Choices (B) and (D) are out of scope; the city’s plan concerns the resistance of trees to carbon monoxide, not the potential lower level of carbon monoxide in the future. Choice (C) is irrelevant. Choice (E) provides information that suggests that the city’s plan won’t work: while sycamores thrive in environments with elevated levels of carbon monoxide, they are extremely sensitive to another pollutant that exists in City X. (E) is therefore the credited answer.
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Re: CR - City Planners [#permalink] New post   28 Feb 2007, 21:45
buckkitty wrote:
aurobindo wrote:
rdg wrote:
Planners in City X noticed that many of the trees in the city were dying because of exposure to increased levels of air and water pollution. A study they commissioned revealed that sycamore trees actually thrive in environments with elevated levels of carbon monoxide, the main pollutant emitted by automobiles. In order to reverse the trend of dying trees, the city adopted a policy to replace all sick trees with sycamore trees.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the logic employed by the city planners?

A) In the forest, oak trees live an average of 70 years while sycamore trees only live for an average of 50 years.
B) Automobile manufacturers are developing newer car models that emit significantly fewer pollutants.
C) A survey by Urban Forests found that the sycamore is the most common tree in American cities.
D) The city recently installed low exhaust buses for its public transportation system.
E) Sycamore trees are extremely sensitive to sulfur dioxide, the main component of acid rain.


I would like to choose B here.

In E we are assuming that the city faces the problem of acid rain. That is no where mentioned in the argument as a possibility. E for me is irrelevant.

On the other hand, the argument says that sycamore trees actually thrive in environments with elevated levels of carbon monoxide, the main pollutant emitted by automobiles. When Automobile manufacturers introduce newer car models, that emit significantly fewer pollutants then sycamore trees may not thrive. And who knows, they may even die. Hence, B seems the answer to me.


I would say B is out of scope. Just because car manufacturers are building cars w/ fewer pollutants, we cannot assume that they will even be sold in City X, or that people in City X will drive these cars.

D is close, as it directly attacks carbon monoxide as the cause for thriving trees. But I dont think its strong enough, why did no one choose D, I wonder?

E does make the assumption that water pollution=acid rain, as mentioned in the stem:
trees in the city were dying because of exposure to increased levels of air and water pollution.

Test day I would have chosen E.


In D we are assuming that many low exhaust buses were introduced and they will have impact over the pollution levels. What if the no of buses is very small. D is also assuming that buses emit carbon monoxide. Argument talks about only automobiles when talking about carbon monoxide.

I am not sure whether buses come under automobiles. Do they?:?
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[#permalink] New post   28 Feb 2007, 22:14
Because of air and water polution trees were dying.


Sycamore trees thrive in environments with elevated levels of carbon monoxide. Options (B) and (D) both support and help to keep Sycamore tree thrive in city's environment.

But, what about water polution? Therefore, option (E) weakens the the logic employed by the city planners.
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[#permalink] New post   01 Mar 2007, 02:58
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rdg wrote:
Because of air and water polution trees were dying.


Sycamore trees thrive in environments with elevated levels of carbon monoxide. Options (B) and (D) both support and help to keep Sycamore tree thrive in city's environment.

But, what about water polution? Therefore, option (E) weakens the the logic employed by the city planners.


U mean acid rain is a pollutant? As far as I understand acid rains occur when the level of SO2 in air goes to a very high level. SO2 is not even mentioned in the argument.

anyways...OA is OA :lol:
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Planners in City X noticed that many of the trees in the [#permalink] New post   19 Mar 2011, 03:39
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Planners in City X noticed that many of the trees in the city were dying because of exposure to increased levels of air and water pollution. A study they commissioned revealed that sycamore trees actually thrive in environments with elevated levels of carbon monoxide, the main pollutant emitted by automobiles. In order to reverse the trend of dying trees, the city adopted a policy to replace all sick trees with sycamore trees.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the logic employed by the city planners?

a) In the forest, oak trees live an average of 70 years while sycamore trees only live for an average of 50 years.
b) Automobile manufacturers are developing newer car models that emit significantly fewer pollutants.
c) A survey by Urban Forests found that the sycamore is the most common tree in American cities.
d) The city recently installed low exhaust buses for its public transportation system.
e) Sycamore trees are extremely sensitive to sulfur dioxide, the main component of acid rain.

OA is provided. I am not convinced about it though.
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Why not C? Infact the stimulus never mentions anything about acid rain so isn't E out of scope.
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Re: Sycamore trees and pollution [#permalink] New post   19 Mar 2011, 08:25
a) In the forest, oak trees live an average of 70 years while sycamore trees only live for an average of 50 years.
Irrelevent. Trees can be replanted at the end of 50 years.
b) Automobile manufacturers are developing newer car models that emit significantly fewer pollutants.
Irrelevent. No one knows will it lead to low pollution levels, i.e. numbers of cars may grow, polluting agents can be different from cars, who knows?
c) A survey by Urban Forests found that the sycamore is the most common tree in American cities.
Irrelevent. The fact that it is the most common tree does not affect the argument i.e. it does not reflect whether it will be suitable for City X as well.
d) The city recently installed low exhaust buses for its public transportation system.
Same as B.
e) Sycamore trees are extremely sensitive to sulfur dioxide, the main component of acid rain.
Clearly demonstrates that the plan by city planners will not succeed. Acid rain, a by-product of pollution, may kill these trees. Though acid rain is not discussed but its relation with pollution is a basic knowledge, i.e. anyone hoping to do an mba should know it.
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Re: Sycamore trees and pollution [#permalink] New post   19 Mar 2011, 08:34
The reason I did not choose E is - In CR & RC I thought we are expected to use information and data provided in the question and not from outside. Infact outside information can be used to eliminate choices.

As for C - Since it says they are common trees I went with the deduction that the sick trees also include sycamore trees and hence planting them again will not help.
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Re: Sycamore trees and pollution [#permalink] New post   20 Mar 2011, 06:38
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I attended session with Ron purewal. He told outside the scope is good weakner. Hope that helps.

Posted from my mobile device
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Re: Planners in City X noticed that many of the trees in the [#permalink] New post   30 Jun 2013, 05:19
rdg wrote:
Planners in City X noticed that many of the trees in the city were dying because of exposure to increased levels of air and water pollution. A study they commissioned revealed that sycamore trees actually thrive in environments with elevated levels of carbon monoxide, the main pollutant emitted by automobiles. In order to reverse the trend of dying trees, the city adopted a policy to replace all sick trees with sycamore trees.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the logic employed by the city planners?

A) In the forest, oak trees live an average of 70 years while sycamore trees only live for an average of 50 years.
B) Automobile manufacturers are developing newer car models that emit significantly fewer pollutants.
C) A survey by Urban Forests found that the sycamore is the most common tree in American cities.
D) The city recently installed low exhaust buses for its public transportation system.
E) Sycamore trees are extremely sensitive to sulfur dioxide, the main component of acid rain.


Bumping this thread. Can anyone point out what is the OA and OE for this one.
Is the OE
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E, to me C sounds valid as if Sycamore trees are already widely prevalent, and they are dying, then adding new Sycamore will not help.
Sulphur dioxide is not mentioned anywhere, it looks quite a big leap to assume that one of pollutants is Sulphur dioxide
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Re: Planners in City X noticed that many of the trees in the [#permalink] New post   21 Feb 2014, 18:56
this OA is debatable. Acid rain is never mentioned. What if the city under consideration has scanty rainfall?
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Re: Sycamore trees and pollution [#permalink] New post   28 Feb 2014, 04:05
suchoudh wrote:
a) In the forest, oak trees live an average of 70 years while sycamore trees only live for an average of 50 years.
Irrelevent. Trees can be replanted at the end of 50 years.
b) Automobile manufacturers are developing newer car models that emit significantly fewer pollutants.
Irrelevent. No one knows will it lead to low pollution levels, i.e. numbers of cars may grow, polluting agents can be different from cars, who knows?
c) A survey by Urban Forests found that the sycamore is the most common tree in American cities.
Irrelevent. The fact that it is the most common tree does not affect the argument i.e. it does not reflect whether it will be suitable for City X as well.
d) The city recently installed low exhaust buses for its public transportation system.
Same as B.
e) Sycamore trees are extremely sensitive to sulfur dioxide, the main component of acid rain.
Clearly demonstrates that the plan by city planners will not succeed. Acid rain, a by-product of pollution, may kill these trees. Though acid rain is not discussed but its relation with pollution is a basic knowledge, i.e. anyone hoping to do an mba should know it.


Here the relation of acid rain is not something which is a basic knowledge...acid rain is related to water pollutants...thus thousgh sycamore tress thrive on air pollutants they may surrender to water pollutants that is acid rain....so this weakesns the plan
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Re: Planners in City X noticed that many of the trees in the [#permalink] New post   28 Nov 2014, 21:42
aurobindo wrote:
rdg wrote:
Because of air and water polution trees were dying.


Sycamore trees thrive in environments with elevated levels of carbon monoxide. Options (B) and (D) both support and help to keep Sycamore tree thrive in city's environment.

But, what about water polution? Therefore, option (E) weakens the the logic employed by the city planners.


U mean acid rain is a pollutant? As far as I understand acid rains occur when the level of SO2 in air goes to a very high level. SO2 is not even mentioned in the argument.

anyways...OA is OA :lol:


I agree. Although the OA is E, I am not completely convinced. B or D sounds like a better option to me since Sycamore trees thrive on carbon monoxide. If you remove the major source of the pollutant, the trees are unlikely to survive. What SO2 does to the tree hasn't been mentioned anywhere in the argument. OA sounds 'Out of Scope' to me. :roll:
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Planners in City X noticed that many of the trees in the [#permalink] New post   09 Mar 2015, 00:27
nikhilsrl wrote:
Planners in City X noticed that many of the trees in the city were dying because of exposure to increased levels of air and water pollution. A study they commissioned revealed that sycamore trees actually thrive in environments with elevated levels of carbon monoxide, the main pollutant emitted by automobiles. In order to reverse the trend of dying trees, the city adopted a policy to replace all sick trees with sycamore trees.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the logic employed by the city planners?

a) In the forest, oak trees live an average of 70 years while sycamore trees only live for an average of 50 years.
b) Automobile manufacturers are developing newer car models that emit significantly fewer pollutants.
c) A survey by Urban Forests found that the sycamore is the most common tree in American cities.
d) The city recently installed low exhaust buses for its public transportation system.
e) Sycamore trees are extremely sensitive to sulfur dioxide, the main component of acid rain.

OA is provided. I am not convinced about it though.
Show Spoiler
Why not C? Infact the stimulus never mentions anything about acid rain so isn't E out of scope.



I chose E because it seemed to be better than the other options although I do think that the option is like typical GMAT options.There is just too much of extra outside knowledge that we need to know before we choose E. GMAT passages typically do not expect us to have any extra knowledge of the subject discussed in the argument..but having said that I still think that E is a better option
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