|
Author |
Message |
|
TAGS:
|
|
|
Director
Status: Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. It's a dare. Impossible is nothing.
Joined: 26 Nov 2009
Posts: 995
Followers: 12
Kudos [?]:
271
[0], given: 36
|
Shell game - watch it! [#permalink]
 21 Jul 2010, 11:24
Question Stats:
62% (02:04) correct
37% (01:26) wrong based on 0 sessions
I couldn't find very helpful answers. So reopening the question! Will appreciate if you will provide reasoning along with the answers. Newspaper editorial:
In an attempt to reduce the crime rate, the governor is getting tough on criminals and making prison conditions harsher. Part of this effort has been to deny inmates the access they formerly had to college-level courses. However, this action is clearly counter to the governor’s ultimate goal, since after being released form prison, inmates who had taken such courses committed far fewer crimes overall than other inmates.
Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends? * Not being able to take college-level courses while in prison is unlikely to deter anyone from a crime that he or she might otherwise have committed. * Former inmates are no more likely to commit crimes than are members of the general population. * The group of inmates who chose to take college-level courses were not already less likely than other inmates to commit crimes after being released. * Taking high school level courses in prison has less effect on an inmate’s subsequent behavior than taking college-level courses does. * The governor’s ultimate goal actually is to gain popularity by convincing people that something effective is being done about crime.
_________________
Please press kudos if you like my post.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Student
Status: Current Student
Joined: 14 Oct 2009
Posts: 370
Schools: Chicago Booth 2013, Ross, Duke , Kellogg , Stanford, Haas
Followers: 13
Kudos [?]:
88
[1] , given: 53
|
Re: Shell game - watch it! [#permalink]
21 Jul 2010, 15:58
1
This post received
KUDOS
I would say C. If the group of people signing up for these courses were already less likely to commit crimes after being released, then the argument that removing these courses will cause more crime afterward falls apart. The assumption that the difference between groups comes as a result of the action and is not already there before is necessary to claim the action had any impact
_________________
Find out what's new at GMAT Club - latest features and updates
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manager
Joined: 04 May 2009
Posts: 71
Location: Astoria, NYC
Followers: 1
Kudos [?]:
6
[0], given: 1
|
Re: Shell game - watch it! [#permalink]
21 Jul 2010, 18:03
I am also leaning towards C. If the inmates who took college classes were already determined to not commit crimes when released, then its not the classes that helps establish the ultimate goal
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intern
Joined: 26 Mar 2010
Posts: 14
Followers: 0
Kudos [?]:
6
[2] , given: 9
|
Re: Shell game - watch it! [#permalink]
21 Jul 2010, 19:05
2
This post received
KUDOS
nusmavrik wrote: I couldn't find very helpful answers. So reopening the question! Will appreciate if you will provide reasoning along with the answers.
Newspaper editorial:
In an attempt to reduce the crime rate, the governor is getting tough on criminals and making prison conditions harsher. Part of this effort has been to deny inmates the access they formerly had to college-level courses. However, this action is clearly counter to the governor’s ultimate goal, since after being released form prison, inmates who had taken such courses committed far fewer crimes overall than other inmates.
Conclusion : This action is clearly counter to the governor's ultimate goal
Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
* Not being able to take college-level courses while in prison is unlikely to deter anyone from a crime that he or she might otherwise have committed. It means taking college-level courses while in prison deters one from committing crime, which does support the conclusion. We can keep this aside while we go over the other options.
* Former inmates are no more likely to commit crimes than are members of the general population. Out of scope
* The group of inmates who chose to take college-level courses were not already less likely than other inmates to commit crimes after being released. This means that the group was as likely to commit the crimes as the others who had not taken the courses. This contradicts the conclusion as the argument tells us that the inmates who actually took the courses committed far fewer crimes
* Taking high school level courses in prison has less effect on an inmate’s subsequent behavior than taking college-level courses does. Out of scope
* The governor’s ultimate goal actually is to gain popularity by convincing people that something effective is being done about crime.Out of scope The words(anyone etc) in A are strong and look a little extreme and thus act as a red herring. However, going over the other options does show us that A is indeed correct(hope it is  ). IMO A. Hope it helps, meshtrap
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Manager
Joined: 20 Jul 2010
Posts: 277
Followers: 2
Kudos [?]:
26
[0], given: 9
|
Re: Shell game - watch it! [#permalink]
21 Jul 2010, 19:25
IMO A. Nice explaination by meshtrap
_________________
If you like my post, consider giving me some KUDOS !!!!! Like you I need them
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Manager
Joined: 23 May 2008
Posts: 432
Followers: 4
Kudos [?]:
52
[2] , given: 14
|
Re: Shell game - watch it! [#permalink]
21 Jul 2010, 21:32
2
This post received
KUDOS
A is definitely wrong
f the presence/absence of college courses will NOT DETER crime, then that is essentially saying that it has no effect.
therefore, since there's no effect, this action will NOT be "counter to the governor's ultimate goal".
the argument depends upon the assumption that eliminating college-level courses will have an effect on inmates' rates of recidivism ("counter to the governor's ultimate goal"). in other words, the argument is assuming that the college-level courses CAUSE differences in the inmates' behavior.
if you're going to argue that X causes Y, one necessary precondition (assumption) is that Y DOESN'T cause X.
this is precisely what is asserted in (c), which should be the correct answer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director
Status: Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. It's a dare. Impossible is nothing.
Joined: 26 Nov 2009
Posts: 995
Followers: 12
Kudos [?]:
271
[1] , given: 36
|
Re: Shell game - watch it! [#permalink]
21 Jul 2010, 22:18
1
This post received
KUDOS
I like the reasoning given by Michmax3 and gurpreet07. OA is C  Two ways to look at the problem : 1) The assumption that the difference between groups comes as a result of the action and is not already there before is necessary to claim the action had any impact 2) if you're going to argue that X causes Y, one necessary precondition (assumption) is that Y DOESN'T cause X. this is precisely what is asserted in (c), which should be the correct answer. Second one is a hurricane. But I think few people will visualize this. Awesome guys  Gave kudos !
_________________
Please press kudos if you like my post.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manager
Joined: 21 Jul 2010
Posts: 57
Location: currently in Taiwan
Schools: Top Taiwanese university
Followers: 1
Kudos [?]:
1
[0], given: 0
|
Re: Shell game - watch it! [#permalink]
30 Jul 2010, 07:48
yep, easy C...
if those who had previously took these courses were already less likely to commit other crimes, than the whole process doesn't make any sense. they didn't get converted because of the courses but the complete self-displine
it's like playing basketball. some say that taller kids are better at basketbal whereas to some its because most of the time, taller people are more inclined to play.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manager
Joined: 08 Jan 2010
Posts: 194
Followers: 1
Kudos [?]:
1
[0], given: 13
|
Re: Shell game - watch it! [#permalink]
31 Jul 2010, 13:52
C.......for me reasoning on the lines as gurpreet07
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Manager
Affiliations: Volunteer Operation Smile India, Creative Head of College IEEE branch (2009-10), Chief Editor College Magazine (2009), Finance Head College Magazine (2008)
Joined: 26 Jul 2010
Posts: 472
Location: India
WE2: Entrepreneur (E-commerce - The Laptop Skin Vault)
Concentration: Marketing, Entrepreneurship
GMAT 1: 710 Q49 V38
WE: Marketing (Other)
Followers: 10
Kudos [?]:
73
[0], given: 24
|
Re: Shell game - watch it! [#permalink]
14 Sep 2010, 09:49
It has to be C
_________________
Kidchaos
http://www.laptopskinvault.com
Follow The Laptop Skin Vault on:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheLaptopSkinVault
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LaptopSkinVault
Consider Kudos if you think the Post is good
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot. Nothing is going to change. It's not. - Dr. Seuss
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manager
Joined: 11 May 2010
Posts: 226
Followers: 3
Kudos [?]:
15
[0], given: 11
|
Re: Shell game - watch it! [#permalink]
14 Sep 2010, 20:18
C it is, tough one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manager
Joined: 08 Feb 2010
Posts: 144
Followers: 1
Kudos [?]:
0
[0], given: 0
|
Re: Shell game - watch it! [#permalink]
15 Sep 2010, 02:53
C for me too
|
|
|
|
|
|
SVP
Joined: 16 Nov 2010
Posts: 1721
Location: United States (IN)
Concentration: Strategy, Technology
Followers: 26
Kudos [?]:
228
[0], given: 34
|
Re: Shell game - watch it! [#permalink]
18 Apr 2011, 23:21
The answer is C.
_________________
Formula of Life -> Achievement/Potential = k * Happiness (where k is a constant)
Find out what's new at GMAT Club - latest features and updates
|
|
|
|
|
|
VP
Status: There is always something new !!
Affiliations: PMI,QAI Global,eXampleCG
Joined: 08 May 2009
Posts: 1400
Followers: 8
Kudos [?]:
84
[0], given: 10
|
Re: Shell game - watch it! [#permalink]
18 Apr 2011, 23:25
An easy C.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manager
Status: It's "Go" Time.......
Affiliations: N.C.C.
Joined: 22 Feb 2011
Posts: 182
Location: India
Followers: 5
Kudos [?]:
17
[0], given: 2
|
Re: Shell game - watch it! [#permalink]
19 Apr 2011, 09:34
Relatively easy question..got "C" in 1:54 See explanations next to the options nusmavrik wrote: I couldn't find very helpful answers. So reopening the question! Will appreciate if you will provide reasoning along with the answers.
Newspaper editorial:
In an attempt to reduce the crime rate, the governor is getting tough on criminals and making prison conditions harsher. Part of this effort has been to deny inmates the access they formerly had to college-level courses. However, this action is clearly counter to the governor’s ultimate goal, since after being released form prison, inmates who had taken such courses committed far fewer crimes overall than other inmates.
Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
* Not being able to take college-level courses while in prison is unlikely to deter anyone from a crime that he or she might otherwise have committed.This option strengthens governor's conclusion(decision) of not allowing inmates to access college-level courses, the conclusion with which argument is not in agreement.
* Former inmates are no more likely to commit crimes than are members of the general population.Out of scope
* The group of inmates who chose to take college-level courses were not already less likely than other inmates to commit crimes after being released.It removes a condition which if true will weaken the argument, thus best choice among all.
* Taking high school level courses in prison has less effect on an inmate’s subsequent behavior than taking college-level courses does."Effect of high school level courses??Unrelated to the argument!"
* The governor’s ultimate goal actually is to gain popularity by convincing people that something effective is being done about crime."Out of scope"
_________________
We are twice armed if we fight with faith.
He who knows when he can fight & when He can't will be victorious.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director
Joined: 21 Dec 2010
Posts: 657
Followers: 9
Kudos [?]:
58
[0], given: 51
|
Re: Shell game - watch it! [#permalink]
25 Apr 2011, 04:57
'The assumption that the difference between groups comes as a result of the action and is not already there before is necessary to claim the action had any impact' C hence.
_________________
What is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Manager
Joined: 15 Sep 2009
Posts: 272
GMAT 1: 750 Q V
Followers: 4
Kudos [?]:
34
[0], given: 6
|
Re: Shell game - watch it! [#permalink]
10 Jul 2012, 06:44
Straight C. Another example of a cause-and-effect fallacy type question. Cheers, Der alte Fritz.
_________________
+1 Kudos me - I'm half Irish, half Prussian.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Shell game - watch it!
[#permalink]
10 Jul 2012, 06:44
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moderators:
metallicafan, rajeevrks27, souvik101990, PTK, MacFauz, noboru, kissthegmat, carcass, willigetmylifeback, mikemcgarry, doe007, Vercules, Legendaddy, tuanquang269, RaviChandra, Marcab, Narenn
|
close
