12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 5: Chef: The flavor of our

Question

12 Days of Christmas 2024 - 2025 Competition with $40,000 of Prizes

Chef: The flavor of our signature dish has become inconsistent because some of our key ingredients have been spoiling too quickly. The issue arises because the spices we use lose their potency when exposed to humidity. I believe that ____1____. Although these spices are less aromatic than many other flavoring agents (for example, dried herbs), freeze-dried spices retain their potency much longer. Furthermore, ____2____.

Select for Statement 1 and for Statement 2 the two sentences that best complete the argument. Make only two selections, one in each column.

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

GMAT Club's Official Explanation:

The chef is concerned with the inconsistency in the flavor of the signature dish, caused by key spices losing potency due to humidity. The chef suggests a potential solution that addresses both the issue of potency and the long-term viability of the spices.

Statement 1: The chef needs to suggest a practical way to maintain the potency of the spices. Among the options,  “we should use freeze-dried spices instead”  directly addresses the issue, as freeze-dried spices retain their potency much longer, aligning with the argument’s focus on solving the humidity problem.

Statement 2:
The second part of the argument supports the use of freeze-dried spices by emphasizing their cost-effectiveness in the long run. Thus,  “when considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective”  reinforces the idea that using freeze-dried spices is a viable and beneficial choice.
Answer:
 
  Statement 1:  we should use freeze-dried spices instead 
  Statement 2:  when considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective

A_Nishith · Answer

To complete the argument logically, the chef is addressing the issue of inconsistent flavor in the dish due to spoiling spices. The chef highlights the benefits of freeze-dried spices, suggesting a shift toward a more stable and reliable option.

Selection for Statement 1: 
"We should use freeze-dried spices instead."
This directly aligns with the chef's argument that freeze-dried spices retain their potency longer and solve the problem of inconsistency.

Selection for Statement 2: 
"When considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective."
This supports the argument by addressing the practicality and economic benefit of using freeze-dried spices.

Final Answer: 
1: We should use freeze-dried spices instead.
2: When considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective.

sushanth21 · Answer

The argument focuses on resolving the inconsistency in the flavor of the signature dish caused by the spoiling of spices due to humidity. 
To strengthen the argument:

Completing Statement 1:
The chef proposes a solution to mitigate the problem of spoilage, favoring  freeze-dried spices  over other alternatives. This aligns with the argument about retaining potency and reducing inconsistency.
 Best choice for Statement 1: "We should use freeze-dried spices instead."

Completing Statement 2:
The argument compares freeze-dried spices with other flavoring agents (like dried herbs) and highlights their extended potency. To complement this, mentioning  cost-effectiveness for long-term storage  strengthens the rationale for the recommendation.
 Best choice for Statement 2: "When considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective." 
Final Selections:
 Statement 1:  We should use freeze-dried spices instead. 
 Statement 2:  When considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective.

HarshaBujji · Answer

. 
 
1. It seems like he is providing a solution to the problem, Here after the blank there is Although...Some problem with the solution... It stated about  freeze-dried spices  out of nowhere. So this could be the connecting point.

Hence 1->   we should use freeze-dried spices instead

For 2:  
Usage of furthermore states about another +ve about the freeze-dried spices. So out of the options the best available one is

2-> when considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective

Elite097 · Answer

The chef is explaining why the flavor of their signature dish has become inconsistent. The issue is that the spices used are losing their potency due to exposure to humidity. The chef believes that freeze-dried spices would solve the issue, as they retain their potency longer.

The argument is structured as follows:

The spices lose their potency when exposed to humidity.
Freeze-dried spices retain their potency much longer.
The chef believes that using freeze-dried spices would be a solution.
Statement 1: We should use freeze-dried spices instead.
This is a natural conclusion based on the chef’s argument. Since the spices lose their potency due to humidity, the chef suggests that using freeze-dried spices, which retain their potency longer, would solve the issue.

Statement 2: When considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective.
This statement supports the argument by adding that freeze-dried spices are not only more effective in retaining potency but also more cost-effective in the long run. This strengthens the chef's reasoning for switching to freeze-dried spices.

Why C and F are correct:
Statement 1 (C): "We should use freeze-dried spices instead" directly follows from the chef's reasoning that freeze-dried spices would solve the problem of potency loss due to humidity.
Statement 2 (F): "When considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective" adds a practical benefit to using freeze-dried spices, supporting the decision further.
Thus, the correct answer is C and F, as they logically complete and strengthen the chef’s argument.

Ans C, F

Krunaal · Answer

we should switch to a different signature dish:  For 1, this does not answer the problem rather discards the problem altogether, as the chef is thinking on the lines of exposure of spices and potency and a way to solve it. For 2, this is totally out of context as the chef wants to furthermore say something about freeze dried spices.  Not valid for 1 or 2

we should store the spices in airtight containers:  For 1, this is in line with what the chef could possibly suggest as the problem he mentioned was the exposure of spices leading to loss of potency, the airtight containers would prevent humidity. For 2, this is totally out of context as the chef wants to furthermore say something about freeze dried spices.  Valid for 1, not valid for 2

we should use freeze-dried spices instead

For 2:
Usage of furthermore states about another +ve about the freeze-dried spices. So out of the options the best available one is

2-> when considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective

using dried herbs would reduce the dish's flavor intensity:  For 1, this is out of context. For 2, the chef in its previous sentence used dried herbs as one of many examples and doesn't intend to hinge onto them.  Not valid for 1 or 2

fresh spices spoil even faster than dried ones:  For 1, this is out of context. For 2, the chef doesn't intend to compare the fresh and freeze dried spices, he wants to furthermore highlight a benefit of freeze dried spices.  Not valid for 1 or 2

when considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective:  For 1, this is out of context. For 2, this is in line with the chefs intention to furthermore highlight the benefit of freeze dried spices.  Valid for 2, not valid for 1

Answer we should store the spices in airtight containers and when considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective

andreagonzalez2k · Answer

1:  "we should use freeze-dried spices instead" 
Because, it later mentions "... freeze-dried spices  retain their potency much longer." So all the paragraph is about changing normal species to freeze-dried species.

2:  "when considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective" 
Use "Furthermore" to continue saying things about "freeze-dried spices", that were mentioned before.

prantorboni · Answer

Chef: The flavor of our signature dish has become inconsistent because some of our key ingredients have been spoiling too quickly. The issue arises because the spices we use lose their potency when exposed to humidity. I believe that ____1____. Although these spices are less aromatic than many other flavoring agents (for example, dried herbs), freeze-dried spices retain their potency much longer. Furthermore, ____2____.

Although these spices are less aromatic than many other flavoring agents (for example, dried herbs), freeze-dried spices retain their potency much longer.

Reading this sentence, we can understand that the chef is trying to promote freeze dried spices over previously used key ingredients. So, in the 1 blank,   we should use freeze-dried spices instead, sentence is most appropriate. The next sentence start with, furthermore, which gives a hints that the chef is trying to say some other special quality about the ingredient because the previous sentence also tells a special quality about the product. Now, when considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective, sentence is more appropriate the for blank 2.

missionmba2025 · Answer

For statement 1, the second sentence provides clues.

The second sentence states that " freeze-dried spices retain their potency much longer.", so statement 1, mush have some reference to freeze dried spice.

Statement 1 : we should use freeze-dried spices instead

For statement 2, " Furthermore" indicates some additional advantage of freeze dried spice must follow. Among the given options only "when considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective" states an advantage of freeze dried spice.

Statement 1 : we should use freeze-dried spices instead 
 Statement 2 : when considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective

Lizaza · Answer

In the first gap of the prompt, the chef makes the following jump:  spices are losing out in humidity => ... => 'these spices' are less aromatic, but freeze-dried are well stored. 
So, there must be free-ze dried spices introduced - which means  option 3.

In the second gap:  'these spices' are less aromatic, but freeze-dried are well stored => ... 
It seems like there should be a build-up on top of the storage qualities of freeze-dried herbs, and this should be a positive one (not the one decreasing flavor intensity, for instance). Hence, the only  option is 6.

Therefore, the answers are:
 (1)  we should use freeze-dried spices instead  
 (2)  when considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective

prashantthawrani · Answer

The chef explains that the flavor of the signature dish is inconsistent due to key ingredients spoiling quickly, particularly spices exposed to humidity. 
 
 For Statement 1:   We should use freeze-dried spices instead. 
This statement directly supports Chef's assertion that freeze-dried spices retain their potency longer than other flavoring agents, making it a logical solution to the problem.

2.   When considering long-term storage, freeze-dried spices are more cost-effective. 
This statement adds further justification for switching to freeze-dried spices, emphasizing not only their effectiveness in maintaining flavor but also their economic advantage over time.

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