12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 10: The cobblestone street

The argument states that the cobblestone streets in Castellonia's old quarter provide an authentic representation of medieval street design, and that these streets have been preserved with minimal modern intervention, unlike many other historic city centers that have been updated or rebuilt.

The key assumption here is that these streets in Castellonia are more similar to their original design than those in other historic cities, which have undergone more updates or changes.

(A) focuses on the buildings surrounding the old quarter, but the argument is about the preservation of the streets, not the surrounding buildings. Eliminate
(B) implies uniqueness but does not address how well the streets represent medieval design. Eliminate
(C) is about the influence of medieval design on modern streets, not the preservation of Castellonia’s streets. Eliminate
(D) directly supports the idea that cobblestone streets are more closely aligned with their original medieval design compared to those in other historic cities. Correct Answer
(E) focuses on preservation methods rather than the streets' current authenticity compared to other cities. [color=#c10300]Eliminate[/color]

To determine the assumption, we need to identify an unstated idea that must be true for the argument to hold. The argument asserts that the cobblestone streets in Castellonia provide an authentic representation of medieval street design because they have been preserved with minimal modern intervention.

Analyzing the options:

(A) The buildings surrounding the old quarter of Castellonia are largely from the same era as the cobblestone streets.

The argument focuses only on the cobblestone streets, not the buildings. Therefore, this is irrelevant. Eliminate


(B) There are no other city areas in Castellonia that have preserved their medieval street layouts.

The argument makes no claim about other areas of Castellonia. The comparison is with "many other historic city centers," not areas within Castellonia. Eliminate


(C) Many modern urban centers have street designs based on principles developed in medieval times.

The argument does not depend on the relationship between modern urban centers and medieval principles; it focuses only on Castellonia’s streets as representative of medieval design. Eliminate.



(D) The cobblestone streets in Castellonia’s old quarter are more similar to their original medieval design than those in most other historic city centers.

This directly supports the argument that Castellonia's streets authentically represent medieval design. If this were not true, the argument would fail.Keep this option


(E) The techniques used to preserve streets in Castellonia have not changed significantly over the centuries.

The argument only claims that the streets were preserved with minimal modern intervention. It does not require information about the preservation techniques.Eliminate


Correct Answer: (D)

(A) The buildings surrounding the old quarter of Castellonia are largely from the same era as the cobblestone streets.
This focuses on the buildings rather than the streets themselves. While the historical context of surrounding buildings may be relevant, the argument does not depend on it to assert the authenticity of the cobblestone streets.
Eliminate (A).

(B) There are no other city areas in Castellonia that have preserved their medieval street layouts.
The argument is about Castellonia’s old quarter providing an authentic representation. It does not require that no other areas in Castellonia have preserved medieval layouts; this is unnecessary for the argument to hold.
Eliminate (B).

(C) Many modern urban centers have street designs based on principles developed in medieval times.
The argument does not make any claims or comparisons about modern urban centers adopting medieval street design principles. This is irrelevant to the discussion of Castellonia’s cobblestone streets.
Eliminate (C).

(D) The cobblestone streets in Castellonia’s old quarter are more similar to their original medieval design than those in most other historic city centers.
This directly supports the argument by explaining why Castellonia’s streets are considered an authentic representation of medieval street design. If Castellonia’s streets are more similar to their original design than those in other city centers, it strengthens the argument that Castellonia provides a unique and authentic example of medieval street layouts.
Correct (D).

(E) The techniques used to preserve streets in Castellonia have not changed significantly over the centuries.
The argument does not depend on preservation techniques being unchanged over time. It focuses on the outcome—minimal modern intervention—rather than the methods used to achieve it.
Eliminate (E).

Option D) is correct which says the cobblestone streets in castellonia's old quarter is more similar to their original medieval design than those in most other historic city centers.
other options are not suitable as it doesn't goes well with the given question

Answer is D.

(A) The buildings surrounding the old quarter of Castellonia are largely from the same era as the cobblestone streets. Incorrect as this is not mentioned at all and cannot be reasonably inferred.
(B) There are no other city areas in Castellonia that have preserved their medieval street layouts. Incorrect as this is not mentioned at all and cannot be reasonably inferred.
(C) Many modern urban centers have street designs based on principles developed in medieval times. Incorrect as this is not mentioned at all and cannot be reasonably inferred.
(D) The cobblestone streets in Castellonia’s old quarter are more similar to their original medieval design than those in most other historic city centers. Correct as this can be assumed based on the last sentence which states that many other historic city centers have been updated or rebuilt but Castellonia's old quarter has been preserved with minimal modern intervention.
(E) The techniques used to preserve streets in Castellonia have not changed significantly over the centuries. Incorrect as this is not mentioned at all and cannot be reasonably inferred.

P2: CS have been preserved with minimal modern intervention, unlike many other historic city centers that have been updated or rebuilt.
C: The CS provide urban planners and historians with an authentic representation of medieval street design.

Assumption we need to find out to reach out to the conclusion

(A) The buildings surrounding the old quarter of Castellonia are largely from the same era as the cobblestone streets. (we are not concerned about the Surrounding buildings ) Eliminate

(B) There are no other city areas in Castellonia that have preserved their medieval street layouts. (we are not saying other cities dont, so no effect on the conclusion) Eliminate

(C) Many modern urban centers have street designs based on principles developed in medieval times. (irrevelent)

(D) The cobblestone streets in Castellonia’s old quarter are more similar to their original medieval design than those in most other historic city centers. (yes, this is the assumption, if it is preserved and provides idea about medieval design, then it must be similar to medieval designs also)
let's negate this.
CS is not Similar to medieval design, so how it can give us the the idea about medival design (Affecting the conclusion), Answer

(E) The techniques used to preserve streets in Castellonia have not changed significantly over the centuries.
(Not concerned about the techniques, but let's negate this, techniques use to prevent have changed signifanctly over centuries) but still our conclusion is valid. (eliminate)

The cobblestone streets in Castellonia’s old quarter are more similar to their original medieval design than those in most other historic city centers.

Explanation:
The argument claims that the cobblestone streets in Castellonia provide an authentic representation of medieval street design because they have been preserved with minimal modern intervention, unlike other historic city centers. For this claim to hold, it must assume that Castellonia’s streets have retained their original medieval features better than most other historic city centers, which may have been updated or rebuilt.

Why not the other options?
(A) The argument is about the authenticity of the streets, not the buildings surrounding them. Whether the buildings are from the same era as the streets is irrelevant to the claim.

(B) The argument does not assume that no other areas in Castellonia have preserved medieval layouts. It focuses only on the old quarter.

(C) The argument does not concern modern urban centers or their street designs. It is specifically about the preservation of Castellonia’s medieval streets.

(E) The argument does not discuss or rely on preservation techniques. It focuses on the current state of the streets, not how they were preserved.

Thus, (D) directly supports the argument's claim that Castellonia’s streets are a more authentic representation of medieval design than those in other historic city centers.

Ans D

A) focuses on the streets and doesn't make any claims about the age of the surrounding buildings.
Eliminate

(B) The focus is on the old quarter, but it doesn’t imply that no other areas in Castellonia have preserved medieval layouts. Eliminate

(C)not discussed or suggested in the argument. The argument compares Castellonia's streets to those in other historic cities, not to modern urban centers. Eliminate

D) very relevant to the argument and negation shatters the conclusion

E)The preservation techniques are not mentioned or compared to those from medieval times.


Hence D)

The Conclusion of the Argument is- The cobblestone streets in Castellonia is an authentic representation of medieval street design.
now in order to reach this Conclusion the author is making Assumption such as,

(A) We are not concerned about the buildings it does not matter whether they are new or from the old era as we are talking about the street,
so not the required Assumption,
but yeah it could be one small strengthener but not the necessary assumption.

(B) If there are other cities than also conclusion will hold so not the Assumption wr are looking for,
reject this one

(C) How modern urban centers are designed is not fulfilling the gap so reject this one as well

(D) Yes this is filling the Gap, if they are similar to their original medieval design than they must be representing the medieval street design, also if we negate this choice than it is doubting the conclusion by a huge margin hence yes this is the Assumption we are looking for

(E) We are not concerned how the streets have preserved,
so Irrelevant.

D is the answer we are looking for

The argument emphasizes that the cobblestone streets in the old quarter of Castellonia provide an authentic representation of medieval street design, and this authenticity is a result of minimal modern intervention, unlike other historic city centers that have been updated or rebuilt. The argument assumes that the streets in Castellonia's old quarter are more similar to their original medieval design compared to other historic city centers, where modern updates or rebuilds may have altered their appearance.
Thus, the assumption being made is:
(D) The cobblestone streets in Castellonia’s old quarter are more similar to their original medieval design than those in most other historic city centers.

Conclusion: The cobblestone streets in the old quarter of Castellonia provide urban planners and historians with an authentic representation of medieval street design.

Which of the following assumptions is the argument above making?

(A) The buildings surrounding the old quarter of Castellonia are largely from the same era as the cobblestone streets.
Irrelevant, we are not discussing buildings

(B) There are no other city areas in Castellonia that have preserved their medieval street layouts.
Irrelevant. We are discussing Castellonia

(C) Many modern urban centers have street designs based on principles developed in medieval times.
Irrelevant

(D) The cobblestone streets in Castellonia’s old quarter are more similar to their original medieval design than those in most other historic city centers.
Right answer! If this is wrong (negation), the conclusion would collapse

(E) The techniques used to preserve streets in Castellonia have not changed significantly over the centuries.
Doesn't matter, given the provided info

Explanation:

The argument claims that Castellonia’s old quarter has authentic medieval streets because they've been preserved with minimal changes, unlike other historic areas.
To find the assumption, we look for what must be true for this claim to hold:

• It must be true that Castellonia’s streets are more true to their original medieval design compared to other cities' historic streets.

Option Analysis:

• (D) The cobblestone streets in Castellonia’s old quarter are more similar to their original medieval design than those in most other historic city centers.
  
  • This matches the needed assumption that Castellonia’s streets are better preserved and more authentic than others.
• Other Options:
  
  • (A) Talks about surrounding buildings, which isn't necessary for the streets' authenticity.
  • (B) Claims no other areas in Castellonia are preserved, which isn't required.
  • (C) Discuss modern centers’ designs, irrelevant to Castellonia’s streets.
  • (E) Focuses on preservation techniques over time, not directly about authenticity.

Conclusion:
(D) is the correct assumption the argument makes.

Answer:
(D) The cobblestone streets in Castellonia’s old quarter are more similar to their original medieval design than those in most other historic city centers.

The cobblestone streets in the old quarter of Castellonia provide urban planners and historians with an authentic representation of medieval street design. These streets have been preserved with minimal modern intervention, unlike many other historic city centers that have been updated or rebuilt.

Which of the following assumptions is the argument above making?

(A) The buildings surrounding the old quarter of Castellonia are largely from the same era as the cobblestone streets.
We are not talking about the buildings of Castellonia, irrelevant. Incorrect

(B) There are no other city areas in Castellonia that have preserved their medieval street layouts.
Out of scope of the argument. All we know is the old quarter streets are unlike many other historic city centers that have been updated or rebuilt. Hence it cannot be an assumption. Incorrect.

(C) Many modern urban centers have street designs based on principles developed in medieval times.
Sure, but the answer is too broad and not precise enough/close to the argument. Incorrect

(D) The cobblestone streets in Castellonia’s old quarter are more similar to their original medieval design than those in most other historic city centers.
Exactly, that's what the hidden link within the stated fact is.
"These streets have been preserved with minimal modern intervention, unlike many other historic city centers that have been updated or rebuilt."
Which means they are the CLOSEST to the original medieval design.
Correct



(E) The techniques used to preserve streets in Castellonia have not changed significantly over the centuries.
The techniques is not of value to the argument hence Incorrect.

The argument mentions a the reasoning that the reason why the cobblestone streets in the old quarter of Castellonia provide urban planners and historians provides authentic representation of medieval street design as they are not meddled with as with other historic city centers.

A,B,E do not provide solid reasons to explain the reasoning in the argument.
C is a trap which mentions the exact opposite reasoning to the one mentioned in argument.
No other option other than D states this point .

The cobblestone streets in the old quarter of Castellonia provide urban planners and historians with an authentic representation of medieval street design. These streets

(A) The buildings surrounding the old quarter of Castellonia are largely from the same era as the cobblestone streets. ×Irrelevant
(B) There are no other city areas in Castellonia that have preserved their medieval street layouts. ×Irrelevant
(C) Many modern urban centers have street designs based on principles developed in medieval times.×Out of context
(D) The cobblestone streets in Castellonia’s old quarter are more similar to their original medieval design than those in most other historic city centers.
*Correct.. if design r different, then doesn't authentic
(E) The techniques used to preserve streets in Castellonia have not changed significantly over the centuries.×Still human intervation may not there

Answer D

Assumption question, try negating options to see which negation breaks conclusion.

D. The cobblestone streets in Castellonia’s old quarter are Not more similar to their original medieval design than those in most other historic city centers.

This means they do not provide authentic representation of medieval street design. So this breaks conclusion.

Ans D

Hi everyone
Last day!

We are dealing here with an assumption problem.
The argument assumes that Castellonia’s cobblestone streets are more representative of their original medieval design compared to streets in other historic city centers.

A - The argument focuses on streets, not buildings. Elimination.
B - The argument doesn’t depend on this exclusivity; it only claims the old quarter provides an authentic representation. Elimination.
C - This is irrelevant to the authenticity of Castellonia’s streets. Elimination.
D - This directly supports the claim of authenticity, as it compares Castellonia’s streets to others. Correct.
E - This is unnecessary to the argument, which only claims that the streets are minimally modernized, not that preservation techniques are ancient. Elimination.

Our answer is D.