A prominent investor who holds a large stake in the Burton Tool compan

The answer is B.

We can solve this question using the

PRECISE

method - i.e.  analysing the given information to get to the answer on our own.
The first boldfaced section is clearly phrased as a conclusion ("justified" being a judgemental word), and it is a refutation of the argument which has just been put forward - thus, it is the argument's main conclusion.
The second boldfaced section is also, clearly, a conclusion ("indicates" being our main clue), but what is its relation to the first one? well, the structure (" it is true... but") and context (coming right ofter the previous boldface) of the sentence tells us this is a detailing of the precious conclusion - that is, it is a supporting conclusion.
Quickly skimming the answer, we see B is our answer.

Please note the flow of the information in the question stem...

It is true that an increased inventory of finished products often indicates that production is outstripping demand, but in Burton's case it indicates no such thing.

It is true that an increased inventory of finished products often indicates that production is outstripping demand" --> provides a context

but in Burton's case it indicates no such thing ---> intermediate conclusion...


Since it does not indicate any such thing (that an increased inventory of finished products often indicates that production is outstripping demand)

the main conclusion follows...i.e
in this case it is clearly not justified.[/b]

Option B states the same and is correct.

Please give me kudo s if you liked my explanation....

A prominent investor who holds a large stake in the Burton Tool company has recently claimed that the company is mismanaged, citing as evidence the company's failure to slow production in response to a recent rise in its inventory of finished products. It is doubtful whether an investor's sniping at management can ever be anything other than counterproductive, but in this case it is clearly not justified. It is true that an increased inventory of finished products often indicates that production is outstripping demand, but in Burton's case it indicates no such thing. Rather, the increase in inventory is entirely attributable to products that have already been assigned to orders received from customers.

In the argument given, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?

A. The first provides evidence to support the conclusion of the argument as a whole; the second states the conclusion.

B.The 1st states the conclusion of the argument as a whole; the second states an intermediate conclusion that is drawn in order to support that conclusion

C.The 1st is the position that the argument as a whole opposes;the second provides evidence against the position being opposed.

D.The first states an intermediate conclusion that is drawn in order to support the conclusion of the argument as a whole; the 2nd states the conclusion of the argument as a whole

E. The 1st & the 2nd both state intermediate conclusions that are drawn in order to support jointly the conclusions of the argument as a whole.

Hello, if any could please explain how the answer is B / how to best identify conclusions for the argument as a whole vs. intermediate conclusions in these types of questions, it would be much appreciated. Thanks

I would also like to request insight into this one. How is B the OA? Thank you!

Posted from my mobile device

Merged posts. nausherwan, please search before posting.

In dealing with BF Question it is always a good idea to watch out for Conclusion and try to relate How the BF1 and BF2 are related to the conclusion.

Here but in this case it is clearly not justified is Main conclusion ,when in doubt what is conclusion apply WHY Test

BF2 is also kind of Conclusion but that is not the Main conclusion , BF2 is supporting the main conclusion which is BF1

So B

GMATNinja KarishmaB @

Doubt - I am unable to understand the sentence, "It is doubtful whether an investor's sniping at management can ever be anything other than counterproductive, but in this case it is clearly not justified." I am unable to figure out contrast in this sentence. The sentence structure is IC1+but+IC2.
IC1 - means it is doubtful that investor's sniping could ever be productive
IC2(main conclusion of passage) - means investor's sniping is not justified in this case.
Where is the contrast? Aren't both IC's talking in same direction and we should have and conjunction instead of but. Please do let me know flaw in my understanding.

Argument:

Investor's claim: Company is mismanaged
Investor's supporting data: company failed to slow production even when inventory rose

Author concedes a point to Investor: It is true that an increased inventory of finished products often indicates that production is outstripping demand,
Author's supporting data: In case of Burton, increase in inventory is entirely attributable to products that have already been assigned to orders received from customers.
Author's intermediate conclusion : In Burton's case, increase in inventory does not indicate production is outstripping demand

Main point of the author: Investor's claims of mismanagement are not justified.

Hence option (B) is correct.

The sentence tells us that it is doubtful that an investor's sniping can ever lead to anything good (there is a small doubt though), but here it is CLEARLY not justified (so here there is no doubt even ... it is very clear that it is not justified, let alone whether it will be productive). So there is an element of contrast here.

The first part (highlighted) of this sentence is an aside - just a comment. It doesn't add any meaningful information to the argument.

A prominent investor who holds a large stake in the Burton Tool company has recently claimed that the company is mismanaged, citing as evidence the company's failure to slow production in response to a recent rise in its inventory of finished products. Investor's claim.
It is doubtful whether an investor's sniping at management can ever be anything other than counterproductive, but in this case it is clearly not justified (author's main conclusion).
It is true that an increased inventory of finished products often indicates that production is outstripping demand (fact), but in Burton's case it indicates no such thing (author's opinion - why is explained in the next sentence).
Rather, the increase in inventory is entirely attributable to products that have already been assigned to orders received from customers. (reason for earlier opinion by the author)

In the argument given, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?

Option elimination -


A. The first provides evidence to support the conclusion of the argument as a whole (No it's the conclusion); the second states the conclusion (No).

B. The first states the conclusion of the argument as a whole (ok); the second states an intermediate conclusion that is drawn in order to support that conclusion (ok)

C. The first is the position that the argument as a whole opposes (no it's supported by the argument and is the main conclusion); the second provides evidence against the position being opposed (ok).

D. The first states an intermediate conclusion that is drawn in order to support the conclusion of the argument as a whole (No.ist the main conclusion); the second states the conclusion of the argument as a whole (no. the 1st is the main conclusion)

E. The first & second both state intermediate conclusions that are drawn in order to support jointly the conclusions of the argument as a whole