rachitshah wrote:
EMPOWERgmatMax wrote:
Although the school would receive financial benefits if it had soft drink vending machines in the cafeteria, we should not allow them. Allowing soft drink machines there would not be in our students' interest. If our students start drinking more soft drinks, they will be less healthy.
The argument depends on which of the following?
Type: Assumption
Boil It Down: More soft drinks, less healthy -> Vending mach. Shouldn’t be allowed
Missing Information: These vending machines would lead to net overall worsening of health
Goal: Find the option the argument requires for the logic to hold
Ⓓ Even if students bring soda from home, the argument still holds because the convenience of the vending machines at school could still cause some students to consume more soda than they would have otherwise.
Not convinced with your explanation as to why D is wrong. D should be defending the conclusion that Students wont bring soda from home and still be unhealthy right?
Hi rachitshah,
I'd be happy to elaborate for you. There's a critical piece of the assignment that must be understood before we look further at D.
Bigger GMAT Picture:You mentioned D appears to be defending the Conclusion.
We don't measure the utility of an assumption by whether it helps support an argument. Assumptions are gauged as to whether they are
REQUIRED for the logic to hold. If an argument survives just fine without a piece of information, then that information is NOT assumed. On the other hand, if an argument collapses if the opposite of a possible assumption is taken, then that piece of information IS required. That's what an assumption is.
To put it another way for good measure: an assumption is a piece of information that without, the argument dies.
With that in mind, take a look at D and ask yourself "can the argument survive without it?"
Ⓓ Students will not simply bring soft drinks from home if the soft drink vending machines are not placed in the cafeteria.
You'll find that the answer is: yes, and therefore, the option is not required (not assumed).
Going into greater detail, let's say that students
DO bring soda from home. The argument survives just fine because even if students bring soda from home, the vending machines at school could still cause some students to consume more soda than they would have otherwise, and still adversely impact student health.
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