Insect infestation is a danger for households in which : Critical Reasoning (CR)

themangoman

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Re: Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

19 Sep 2010, 11:49

siyer wrote:

Insect infestation is a danger for households in which certain standards of cleanliness are not maintained. So that householders are able to detect such infestations before they become serious enough to pose a danger, the county sanitation board has mailed a newsletter to all residents of the county, listing those signs that indicate the beginnings of an insect infestation and encouraging householders to check for such signs.

Which of the following, if true, is the best criticism of the newsletter as a means of achieving the sanitation department's goals?

B)Once an insect infestation is known to exist, the steps taken to eliminate such an infestation vary according to the species of insect and the locale of the infestation.
Irrelevant.

C)The newsletter was sent to all residents of the county, including those who maintain the standards of cleanliness that preclude the possibility of insect infestation.
Irrelevant.

D)Insect infestation is more common in single-family homes than it is in apartments.
Irrelevant.

A)Many insect infestations have certain characteristics that cannot be detected by the investigation of a householder.
This says that even though a person may read the newsletter, there are some signs which can only be detected by an expert. But then why would the newsletter publish highly expert advice? The newsletter would obviously print advice helpful to the common householder.

E)People who do not maintain minimal standards of cleanliness are unlikely to inspect their homes for the signs of early insect infestation.
This says some people are unlikely to inspect the house inspite of the newsletter. But it says 'unlikely', so there are many people who do not maintain minimal standards of cleanliness who would still check for infestation after reading the newsletter. This does not COMPLETELY weaken the departments goals.

So i go for A.

So did I. The official answer seems to suggest E. I think it's A

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Re: Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

Updated on: 05 Oct 2010, 11:09

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Let me try to explain why it shouldn't be A:

"A)Many insect infestations have certain characteristics that cannot be detected by the investigation of a householder."

This statement tells us that there are *certain* characteristics that can't be detected (presumably by the methods outlined in the newsletter). But what about *other* characteristics of the same infestation? It appears that these other characteristics *can* be investigated. In contrast to the slightly-doubtful A, E is more resounding. The whole plan would fall apart since the guys who don't main cleanliness won't read the newsletter (remember the "if true" part of the question).

Hope that helps.

(When I had solved this problem, I had chosen E)

Originally posted by rishabhsingla on 19 Sep 2010, 12:17.
Last edited by rishabhsingla on 05 Oct 2010, 11:09, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

19 Sep 2010, 17:06

themangoman wrote:

Insect infestation is a danger for households in which certain standards of cleanliness are not maintained. So that householders are able to detect such infestations before they become serious enough to pose a danger, the county sanitation board has mailed a newsletter to all residents of the county, listing those signs that indicate the beginnings of an insect infestation and encouraging householders to check for such signs.

Which of the following, if true, is the best criticism of the newsletter as a means of achieving the sanitation department's goals?

A)Many insect infestations have certain characteristics that cannot be detected by the investigation of a householder.
may be true but there are also crtain char. they can be detected.
B)Once an insect infestation is known to exist, the steps taken to eliminate such an infestation vary according to the species of insect and the locale of the infestation.
irrelevant
C)The newsletter was sent to all residents of the county, including those who maintain the standards of cleanliness that preclude the possibility of insect infestation.
so what?
D)Insect infestation is more common in single-family homes than it is in apartments.
irrelevant
E)People who do not maintain minimal standards of cleanliness are unlikely to inspect their homes for the signs of early insect infestation.

Narrowed down on choice A and E. Finally chose E.

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Re: Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

21 Sep 2010, 09:04

The goal of the newsletter was to assist householders to detect insect infestation before they become serious.

Many some can't be detect, but not all. The letter can help detect some. Therefore, can't be criticized. A)Many insect infestations have certain characteristics that cannot be detected by the investigation of a householder.

Irrelevant B)Once an insect infestation is known to exist, the steps taken to eliminate such an infestation vary according to the species of insect and the locale of the infestation.

Irrelevant C)The newsletter was sent to all residents of the county, including those who maintain the standards of cleanliness that preclude the possibility of insect infestation.

Irrelevant D)Insect infestation is more common in single-family homes than it is in apartments.

Makes sense. People who do not maintain cleanliness can't be expected to look for signs !E)People who do not maintain minimal standards of cleanliness are unlikely to inspect their homes for the signs of early insect infestation.

onedayill

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Re: Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

21 Sep 2010, 13:43

I'm between C and E.

Can some one please explain why not C.

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Re: Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

21 Sep 2010, 15:47

onedayill wrote:

I'm between C and E.

Can some one please explain why not C.

C is not a wrong statement but does it achieve what question wants ? The question is looking for the choice that criticizes the idea of sending out newsletter. It is looking for something that will weaken the conclusion.

Conclusion was that this idea will work because people will get the newsletter and they will act accordingly.

Assumption was that EVERYONE will read the newsletter and act as per the instruction.

In order to weaken/criticize the newsletter idea, we need to pick something that will attack the assumption. Therefore, something that mentions that people who do not maintain cleanliness will not even act per the instructions of the newsletter, makes more sense. If they are not maintaining cleanliness, they will not look and in that case the who idea of a newsletter is wasted.

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Re: Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

23 Sep 2010, 22:18

Assume urself as a critque while answering this question...
A also sounds close, but our answer should have have a point which states that there is no use in sending the newsletter.
When few lazy people don't care of following the newsletter then what is the use in sending those..
So E wins.
Hope it help few...

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Re: Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

09 Apr 2011, 11:50

Great questions, but it is more like 600s.
A)Many insect infestations have certain characteristics that cannot be detected by the investigation of a householder. << trick, we talk about inf sites, not their characteristics! It means I still can detect a bugs' nest, but I will not know, for example, how old is their nest.

B)Once an insect infestation is known to exist, the steps taken to eliminate such an infestation vary according to the species of insect and the locale of the infestation. << out of scope, we don't care about eliminations

C)The newsletter was sent to all residents of the county, including those who maintain the standards of cleanliness that preclude the possibility of insect infestation. << actually, this strenghten

D)Insect infestation is more common in single-family homes than it is in apartments. << out of scope

E)People who do not maintain minimal standards of cleanliness are unlikely to inspect their homes for the signs of early insect infestation. << bingo! Lazy people won't read mail, so bugs will enjoy nice undisturbed life further

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Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

31 Aug 2012, 21:14

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Insect infestation is a danger for households in which certain standards of cleanliness are not maintained. So that householders are able to detect such infestations before they become serious enough to pose a danger, the county sanitation board has mailed a newsletter to all residents of the county, listing those signs that indicate the beginnings of an insect infestation and encouraging householders to check for such signs.

Which of the following, if true, is the best criticism of the newsletter as a means of achieving the sanitation department's goals?

(A) Many insect infestations have certain characteristics that cannot be detected by the investigation of a householder.

(B) Once an insect infestation is known to exist, the steps taken to eliminate such an infestation vary according to the species of insect and the locale of the infestation.

(C) The newsletter was sent to all residents of the county, including those who maintain the standards of cleanliness that preclude the possibility of insect infestation.

(D) Insect infestation is more common in single-family homes than it is in apartments.

(E) People who do not maintain minimal standards of cleanliness are unlikely to inspect their homes for the signs of early insect infestation.

Show Spoiler

Please explain me how A is wrong.
Since there are many infestations cannot be detected by layman and thus there is negligible effect of the newsletter.

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Re: Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

31 Aug 2012, 22:26

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I got down to C and E, and E won.

Answering the question of why not A, in this question we want to weak the fact that sending a letter to every house hold (neat and unneat) will make the difference preventing the danger posed by infestations.

In my opinion the problem with A is that it is out of scope. We want to address directly to the fact that the letter wont make any difference. Be suspect on "Many" in a question as it opens the possibility that "not Many", or "some" (not all) infestations have the discrived characteristics. Such possibility creates the ideal scenario for out of scope, as many possibilities arise if some insect infestations do not have the undetectable characteristic mentioned in A, and thus are prone to be detected after the reading of the letter.

I hope you find some value in my comment.

Cheers

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Re: Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

31 Aug 2012, 23:37

Many insect infestations have certain characteristics that cannot be detected by the investigation of a householder. It strengthen that newsletter will do more and mroe effects on cleaning insect. As said, few household knows the location and signs of the onset of the insect. So, if newsletter used, household has bigger chance to find the insect.

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Re: Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

29 Aug 2013, 05:20

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I initially chose A, because I thought that "householders are able to detect such infestations" is the goal of the Sanitation Department.
But new I see that A states "many" which does not mean "all".
Nevertheless, I do not like E because it talks about preference of the people, not their ability to detect infestations.

S

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Re: Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

18 Nov 2015, 23:46

themangoman wrote:

Insect infestation is a danger for households in which certain standards of cleanliness are not maintained. So that householders are able to detect such infestations before they become serious enough to pose a danger, the county sanitation board has mailed a newsletter to all residents of the county, listing those signs that indicate the beginnings of an insect infestation and encouraging householders to check for such signs.

Which of the following, if true, is the best criticism of the newsletter as a means of achieving the sanitation department's goals?

A)Many insect infestations have certain characteristics that cannot be detected by the investigation of a householder.

B)Once an insect infestation is known to exist, the steps taken to eliminate such an infestation vary according to the species of insect and the locale of the infestation.

C)The newsletter was sent to all residents of the county, including those who maintain the standards of cleanliness that preclude the possibility of insect infestation.

D)Insect infestation is more common in single-family homes than it is in apartments.

E)People who do not maintain minimal standards of cleanliness are unlikely to inspect their homes for the signs of early insect infestation.

Guys help me weed out A. Why is it wrong because it challengees the fact in the argument ? If not please tell me why is it wrong

B

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Re: Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

19 Nov 2015, 00:38

akadmin wrote:

themangoman wrote:

Insect infestation is a danger for households in which certain standards of cleanliness are not maintained. So that householders are able to detect such infestations before they become serious enough to pose a danger, the county sanitation board has mailed a newsletter to all residents of the county, listing those signs that indicate the beginnings of an insect infestation and encouraging householders to check for such signs.

Which of the following, if true, is the best criticism of the newsletter as a means of achieving the sanitation department's goals?

A)Many insect infestations have certain characteristics that cannot be detected by the investigation of a householder.

B)Once an insect infestation is known to exist, the steps taken to eliminate such an infestation vary according to the species of insect and the locale of the infestation.

C)The newsletter was sent to all residents of the county, including those who maintain the standards of cleanliness that preclude the possibility of insect infestation.

D)Insect infestation is more common in single-family homes than it is in apartments.

E)People who do not maintain minimal standards of cleanliness are unlikely to inspect their homes for the signs of early insect infestation.

Guys help me weed out A. Why is it wrong because it challengees the fact in the argument ? If not please tell me why is it wrong

Hi,

A)Many insect infestations have certain characteristics that cannot be detected by the investigation of a householder.

A is wrong because

i) many may have "certain" characteristics that cannot be detected by householders, but the same ones can have characteristics that could be easily detected by householders following the boards advice. so what if they have some peculiar characteristics that cannot be detected as long as they also have some easily detectable characteristics.
ii) also, try not to stick on just one option, like here A may sound like an answer but question yourself on why not E. E > A as E is hits on the facts presented in the argument. Insect infestation happens when minimal standards of cleanliness is not followed. Action is to be taken by householders. But what if those who dont maintain minimal standards of cleanliness dont even take action.

B

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Re: Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

17 May 2021, 14:26

themangoman wrote:

Insect infestation is a danger for households in which certain standards of cleanliness are not maintained. So that householders are able to detect such infestations before they become serious enough to pose a danger, the county sanitation board has mailed a newsletter to all residents of the county, listing those signs that indicate the beginnings of an insect infestation and encouraging householders to check for such signs.

Which of the following, if true, is the best criticism of the newsletter as a means of achieving the sanitation department's goals?

(A) Many insect infestations have certain characteristics that cannot be detected by the investigation of a householder.

(B) Once an insect infestation is known to exist, the steps taken to eliminate such an infestation vary according to the species of insect and the locale of the infestation.

(C) The newsletter was sent to all residents of the county, including those who maintain the standards of cleanliness that preclude the possibility of insect infestation.

(D) Insect infestation is more common in single-family homes than it is in apartments.

(E) People who do not maintain minimal standards of cleanliness are unlikely to inspect their homes for the signs of early insect infestation.

In the question, it is just mentioned that infestation is danger when "certain" standards are maintained not "minimal". In (E), it just refers to people who do not maintain minimal standards. So I thought (E) is irrelevant and went for (A). Can someone help me clarify why (E) is preferred over (A)

L

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Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

17 May 2021, 15:30

Expert Reply

amkarthick wrote:

In the question, it is just mentioned that infestation is danger when "certain" standards are maintained not "minimal". In (E), it just refers to people who do not maintain minimal standards. So I thought (E) is irrelevant and went for (A). Can someone help me clarify why (E) is preferred over (A)

Let's eliminate (A) first.

Here's (A).

(A) Many insect infestations have certain characteristics that cannot be detected by the investigation of a householder.

This choice is designed to fool us into thinking it says something that it doesn't say. If we read this choice without being careful enough, it can appear to say that the characteristics of many insect infestations are such that the infestations cannot be detected. However, that's not what (A) says. What (A) says is that many infestations have CERTAIN characteristics that cannot be detected.

So, (A) is not saying that the infestations cannot be detected. It's saying only that SOME characteristics cannot be detected. For instance, maybe insects lay eggs in the walls of a house, and a householder cannot detect those eggs. OK, great. Still, the householder may be able to detect the infestation by finding other manifestations of it.

So, (A) doesn't really change anything.

OK, now for (E).

(E) People who do not maintain minimal standards of cleanliness are unlikely to inspect their homes for the signs of early insect infestation.

(E) is a good reason to doubt that the plan will work. If the people who don't maintain minimal standards of cleanliness are also those who would not bother to inspect their homes, then sending out the newsletter may not change much, since the people most likely to have insect manifestations won't perform the inspections.

While it's true that the passage mentions "certain standards" rather than "minimal standards," to get this question correct, we have to see that the author's idea is that "minimal standards" and the "certain standards" mentioned in the passage are either the same standards or at least have some overlap. After all, a person who would not maintain "minimal standards" likely will not maintain whatever standards "certain standards" are.

When answering CR questions, in some cases we have to consider what the author likely believed, and also, we have to be careful not to overrely on considering whether words in the passage match words in the choices.

G

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Re: Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

18 May 2021, 05:08

CONCLUSION - Newsletter will be able to achieve the sanitation department's goals

GIVEN -

1) Infestation danger is to the households where certain cleanliness standards are not maintained
2) County sanitation department mailed newsletters to residents
3) Department's goal is to enable the residents to detect the infestation before getting serious

WEAKNER - What new information reduces the belief in the conclusion?

ANSWER CHOICE ANALYSIS -

A) Not all the infestations lie in this category
B) Department's goal is to detect - not the steps to be taken further
C) To whom the newsletter was sent - doesn't matter
D) Apartments not mentioned in the argument
E) CORRECT - People in the houses where standards are not maintained are at risk and they do not check for infestations

gmatclubot

Re: Insect infestation is a danger for households in which [#permalink]

18 May 2021, 05:08

GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

Insect infestation is a danger for households in which