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Hi,
GMATNinja mikemcgarry please could you help me with the following

2. According to the passage, which of the following statements about sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide outputs is true?

(A) Older production technologies cannot be adapted so as to reduce production of these outputs as waste products.

(C) Although these outputs are environmentally hazardous, some plants still generate them as waste products despite the high compliance cost they impose.


While I understand the answer to this question is option C because the passage clearly states that "New regulations have imposed extensive compliance costs on companies still using older industrial coal-fired burners"

I still have my doubts regarding option A. The passage states that "older industrial coal-fired burners that generate high sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide outputs" So can't we infer that these old technologies cannot help reduce the waste output?

If they are generating high sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide how can they be used to reduce the waste output
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Hi GMATNinja,

Could you please help me with question no 2?

2. According to the passage, which of the following statements about sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide outputs is true?

(A) Older production technologies cannot be adapted so as to reduce production of these outputs as waste products.
(B) Under the most recent environmental regulations, industrial plants are no longer permitted to produce these outputs.
(C) Although these outputs are environmentally hazardous, some plants still generate them as waste products despite the high compliance cost they impose.
(D) Many older plants have developed innovative technological processes that reduce the amounts of these outputs generated as waste products.
(E) Since the production processes that generate these outputs are less costly than alternative processes, these less expensive processes are sometimes adopted despite their acknowledged environmental hazards.

The passage says, "Finally, older production technologies often continue to generate toxic wastes that were not regulated when the technology was first adopted."

I think I misread the word "adapted" for "adopted" while reading option (A) Older production technologies cannot be adapted so as to reduce production of these outputs as waste products.
What happens when older production technologies are adapted is clearly not discussed in the passage.
However, if option A were to have the word "adopted" instead of "adapted" option A could be true. Wouldn't you say?

Thank you,
Dablu
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gurudabl
Hi GMATNinja,

Could you please help me with question no 2?

2. According to the passage, which of the following statements about sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide outputs is true?

(A) Older production technologies cannot be adapted so as to reduce production of these outputs as waste products.
(B) Under the most recent environmental regulations, industrial plants are no longer permitted to produce these outputs.
(C) Although these outputs are environmentally hazardous, some plants still generate them as waste products despite the high compliance cost they impose.
(D) Many older plants have developed innovative technological processes that reduce the amounts of these outputs generated as waste products.
(E) Since the production processes that generate these outputs are less costly than alternative processes, these less expensive processes are sometimes adopted despite their acknowledged environmental hazards.

The passage says, "Finally, older production technologies often continue to generate toxic wastes that were not regulated when the technology was first adopted."

I think I misread the word "adapted" for "adopted" while reading option (A) Older production technologies cannot be adapted so as to reduce production of these outputs as waste products.
What happens when older production technologies are adapted is clearly not discussed in the passage.
However, if option A were to have the word "adopted" instead of "adapted" option A could be true. Wouldn't you say?

Thank you,
Dablu
Yes, changing the word "adapted" to "adopted" changes the meaning of (A) entirely. It's not so important to determine whether (A) would have been true with different wording -- instead, it is more useful to focus on reading answer choices accurately in the first place.

I hope that helps!
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Thank you for the reply GMATNinja! :)
Quote:
It's not so important to determine whether (A) would have been true with different wording -- instead, it is more useful to focus on reading answer choices accurately in the first place.
Yes, I completely agree with you. I have built some bad reading habits over time which have come to realize after preparing for GMAT.
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VeritasKarishma
GMATNinja mikemcgarry
regulatory costs—and therefore compliance—fall unevenly, economically disadvantaging some companies and benefiting others. For example, a plant situated near a number of larger non-compliant competitors is less likely to attract the attention of local regulators than is an isolated plant, and less attention means lower costs.

will you explain ( therefore compliance )in this compliance refers to just compliance or compliance costs.
also explain (a plant situated near a number of larger non-compliant competitors is less likely to attract the attention of local regulators than is an isolated plant, and less attention means lower costs.) how noncompliant competitors is less likely to attract attention of local regulators.basically noncompliant means failing to act according their command.
i'm not getting how they are not getting attracted local regulators.

Also Why option A of first question is wrong according to above fact?
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VeritasKarishma
GMATNinja mikemcgarry
regulatory costs—and therefore compliance—fall unevenly, economically disadvantaging some companies and benefiting others. For example, a plant situated near a number of larger non-compliant competitors is less likely to attract the attention of local regulators than is an isolated plant, and less attention means lower costs.

will you explain ( therefore compliance )in this compliance refers to just compliance or compliance costs.
also explain (a plant situated near a number of larger non-compliant competitors is less likely to attract the attention of local regulators than is an isolated plant, and less attention means lower costs.) how noncompliant competitors is less likely to attract attention of local regulators.basically noncompliant means failing to act according their command.
i'm not getting how they are not getting attracted local regulators.

Also Why option A of first question is wrong according to above fact?
First, let’s deal with the two sentences you mention in the passage, then we’ll consider question 1. Here’s the first sentence:

    "In reality, regulatory costs—and therefore compliance—fall unevenly, economically disadvantaging some companies and benefiting others."

Whether “and therefore compliance” refers to compliance itself or compliance costs is somewhat ambiguous, but more importantly, this distinction is not necessary to understand the passage, or even that sentence, as a whole. Either way, the author’s point is that the burden to comply with regulations unduly falls on some companies at the expense of others.

And here’s the second sentence:

    "For example, a plant situated near a number of larger non-compliant competitors is less likely to attract the attention of local regulators than is an isolated plant, and less attention means lower costs."

Here, the author is stating NOT that non-compliant compliant competitors are less likely to attract the attention of local regulators, BUT that a plant situated near non-compliant competitors is less likely to attract regulators’ attention.

Question 1 says:

Quote:
1. It can be inferred from the passage that a large plant might have to spend more than a similar but smaller plant on environmental compliance because the larger plant is

And here’s (A):
Quote:
(A) more likely to attract attention from local regulators
The second sentence we considered above does not suggest that a given larger plant is more likely to attract attention from local regulators than a comparable smaller plant. Instead, it compares attention drawn by a plant among larger non-compliant competitors with that drawn by an isolated plant. On the other hand, the question simply compares a large plant to a small plant. It doesn’t provide us with any information of what’s situated in the vicinity of those two plants. Eliminate (A) for question 1.

I hope that helps!
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mikemcgarry
Nevernevergiveup
source: OG13

Q53. Among the myths taken as fact by the environmental managers of most corporations is the belief that environmental regulations affect all competitors in a given industry uniformly. In reality, regulatory costs—and therefore compliance—fall unevenly, economically disadvantaging some companies and benefiting others. For example, a plant situated near a number of larger non-compliant competitors is less likely to attract the attention of local regulators than is an isolated plant, and less attention means lower costs. Additionally, large plants can spread compliance costs such as waste treatment across a larger revenue base; on the other hand, some smaller plants may not even be subject to certain provisions such as permit or reporting requirements by virtue of their size. Finally, older production technologies often continue to generate toxic wastes that were not regulated when the technology was first adopted. New regulations have imposed extensive compliance costs on companies still using older industrial coal-fired burners that generate high sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide outputs, for example, whereas new facilities generally avoid processes that would create such waste products. By realizing that they have discretion and that not all industries are affected equally by environmental regulation, environmental managers can help their companies to achieve a competitive edge by anticipating regulatory pressure and exploring all possibilities for addressing how changing regulations will affect their companies specifically.

According to the passage, which of the following statements about sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide outputs is true?
A. Older production technologies cannot be adapted so as to reduce production of these outputs as waste products.
B. Under the most recent environmental regulations, industrial plants are no longer permitted to produce these outputs.
C. Although these outputs are environmentally hazardous, some plants still generate them as waste products despite the high compliance costs they impose.
D. Many older plants have developed innovative technological processes that reduce the amounts of these outputs generated as waste products.
E. Since the production processes that generate these outputs are less costly than alternative processes, these less expensive processes are sometimes adopted despite their acknowledged environmental hazards.


text from passage
New regulations have imposed extensive compliance costs on companies still using older industrial coal-fired burners that generate high sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide outputs, for example, whereas new facilities generally avoid processes that would create such waste products.

So they regulations are in general and they are applicable to violators.

But option C says that

Although these outputs are environmentally hazardous, some plants still generate them as waste products despite the high compliance costs they impose.

but there is nowhere written that Some plants still do it or whether companies stopped doing so after the regulations are imposed.

So how can C be correct choice.
Dear Nevernevergiveup,

I'm happy to respond. Here's the relevant part of the passage:
Finally, older production technologies often continue to generate toxic wastes that were not regulated when the technology was first adopted. New regulations have imposed extensive compliance costs on companies still using older industrial coal-fired burners that generate high sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide outputs, for example, whereas new facilities generally avoid processes that would create such waste products.

First of all, the first sentence quoted here is a general-point sentence, and the sentence that follows it is an example sentence. Even if the second sentence were not clear, we would expect it to be about older companies "still continuing" to do something that is now regulated.

In fact, the second sentence is crystal clear. The use of the present participle "using" implies present action, and the adverb "still" reinforces this interpretation. The fact that the paragraph talks about "companies still using older industrial coal-fired burners that generate high sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide outputs" means, of course, that right now there are "companies" that "still use older industrial coal-fired burners that generate high sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide outputs." This is stated clearly and unambiguously.

Therefore (C) is absolutely undeniable as the OA.

Does this make sense?
Mike :-)


why is b incorrect?

i am shocked that no one has asked anything about this option.

Please help.
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In reality, regulatory costs—and therefore compliance—fall unevenly, economically disadvantaging some companies and benefiting others. For example, a plant situated near a number of larger non-compliant competitors is less likely to attract the attention of local regulators than is an isolated plant, and less attention means lower costs.
Can someone explain to me this bold portion, I dont get it why would a plant near a bunch of irresponsible competitors have less attention than a isolated plant how does it all adds up?
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Deeptanshu02
In reality, regulatory costs—and therefore compliance—fall unevenly, economically disadvantaging some companies and benefiting others. For example, a plant situated near a number of larger non-compliant competitors is less likely to attract the attention of local regulators than is an isolated plant, and less attention means lower costs.
Can someone explain to me this bold portion, I dont get it why would a plant near a bunch of irresponsible competitors have less attention than a isolated plant how does it all adds up?


Hi Deeptanshu02,

Let me share my understanding about the lines in bold.

The author mentions the myths most environmental managers consider as facts, about the environmental regulations affecting all competitors in a given industry uniformly, are in reality untrue, as the regulatory costs and in turn compliance unevenly benefit some companies and are a disadvantage for others.
Author uses an example to justify his claim: [quote]A plant situated near a number of larger non-compliant competitors is less likely to attract the attention of local regulators than is an isolated plant, and less attention means lower costs.[quote]
This example means that a plant that is situated near many non compliant competitors has an advantage over other plants, it is less likely to come into notice of the local regulators, as there other non-compliant plants to than is an isolated, because an isolated will get more attention from the environmental regulators.

Hope This Helps.
Thanks.
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Hey expert
Please help me with this passage, send me the explanation of each of the question.
https://gmatclub.com/forum/among-the-my ... l#p1083738
Regards
sherlockholmes21
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I am sorry, but is it just me or is this passage terribly, terribly written. It's not clear AT ALL once you get to the second paragraph what it's trying to say...just a mish mash of ideas.
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Hello, GMATNinja and AndrewN - can any of you Gentleman please explain QN - 591 - The Primary Purpose of the passage Question.

I choose (A) - address the widespread environmental management problem and suggest a possible solution

My analogy was that the Misconception is the management problem as it is taken as a fact by the managers and the solutions are outlined in the last 5-6 lines - "By realizing that they have discretion and that not all ...."

I did not choose (E) - the correct answer because I thought it's a trap mimicking the same words from the passage, I was triggered by wording Misconception about "the impact of environmental regulations" - wherein the passage it talks about impacts of regs? I am thinking more so that the passage talks about the implications of the regulations, not how they impact companies, maybe I am missing something.

Please help!
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IN2MBB2PE
Hello, GMATNinja and AndrewN - can any of you Gentleman please explain QN - 591 - The Primary Purpose of the passage Question.

I choose (A) - address the widespread environmental management problem and suggest a possible solution

My analogy was that the Misconception is the management problem as it is taken as a fact by the managers and the solutions are outlined in the last 5-6 lines - "By realizing that they have discretion and that not all ...."

I did not choose (E) - the correct answer because I thought it's a trap mimicking the same words from the passage, I was triggered by wording Misconception about "the impact of environmental regulations" - wherein the passage it talks about impacts of regs? I am thinking more so that the passage talks about the implications of the regulations, not how they impact companies, maybe I am missing something.

Please help!
Hello, IN2MBB2PE. I feel obliged to point out that GMATNinja has posted on the question, specifically answer choices (A) and (E), earlier the thread, in this post. For my part, I think the bookends of the passage align quite well with (E). Compare:

Quote:
QUESTION: 4. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(E) correct a common misconception about the impact of environmental regulations

PASSAGE: Among the myths taken as fact by the environmental managers of most corporations is the belief that environmental regulations affect all competitors in a given industry uniformly. In reality, regulatory costs—and therefore compliance—fall unevenly, economically disadvantaging some companies and benefiting others...

By realizing that they have discretion and that not all industries are affected equally by environmental regulation, environmental managers can help their companies to achieve a competitive edge by anticipating regulatory pressure and exploring all possibilities for addressing how changing regulations will affect their companies specifically.
As for (A), I have to agree with GMATNinja that the author never suggests possible solutions to the widespread environmental management problem. A solution is a more definitive answer to a problem than can help in the last line of the passage suggests.

I hope my analysis may prove of some help to you. Thank you for thinking to ask.

- Andrew
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Why option D is wrong in 3rd question. is it not exemplifying the misconception ?
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Among the myths taken as fact by the environmental managers of most corporations is the belief that environmental regulations affect all competitors in a given industry uniformly. In reality, regulatory costs—and therefore compliance—fall unevenly, economically disadvantaging some companies and benefiting others. For example, a plant situated near a number of larger non-compliant competitors is less likely to attract the attention of local regulators than is an isolated plant, and less attention means lower costs.

Additionally, large plants can spread compliance costs such as waste treatment across a larger revenue base; on the other hand, some smaller plants may not even be subject to certain provisions such as permit or reporting requirements by virtue of their size. Finally, older production technologies often continue to generate toxic wastes that were not regulated when the technology was first adopted. New regulations have imposed extensive compliance costs on companies still using older industrial coal-fired burners that generate high sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide outputs, for example, whereas new facilities generally avoid processes that would create such waste products. By realizing that they have discretion and that not all industries are affected equally by environmental regulation, environmental managers can help their companies to achieve a competitive edge by anticipating regulatory pressure and exploring all possibilities for addressing how changing regulations will affect their companies specifically.

1. It can be inferred from the passage that a large plant might have to spend more than a similar but smaller plant on environmental compliance because the larger plant is

(A) more likely to attract attention from local regulators
(B) less likely to be exempt from permit and reporting requirements
(C) less likely to have regulatory costs passed on to it by companies that supply its raw materials
(D) more likely to employ older production technologies
(E) more likely to generate wastes that are more environmentally damaging than those generated by smaller plants


2. According to the passage, which of the following statements about sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide outputs is true?

(A) Older production technologies cannot be adapted so as to reduce production of these outputs as waste products.
(B) Under the most recent environmental regulations, industrial plants are no longer permitted to produce these outputs.
(C) Although these outputs are environmentally hazardous, some plants still generate them as waste products despite the high compliance cost they impose.
(D) Many older plants have developed innovative technological processes that reduce the amounts of these outputs generated as waste products.
(E) Since the production processes that generate these outputs are less costly than alternative processes, these less expensive processes are sometimes adopted despite their acknowledged environmental hazards.


3. Which of the following best describes the relationship of the statement about large plants in the highlighted text to the passage as a whole?

(A) It presents a hypothesis that is disproved later in the passage.
(B) It highlights an opposition between two ideas mentioned in the passage.
(C) It provides examples to support a claim made earlier in the passage.
(D) It exemplifies a misconception mentioned earlier in the passage.
(E) It draws an analogy between two situations described in the passage.


4. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) address a widespread environmental management problem and suggest possible solutions
(B) illustrate varying levels of compliance with environmental regulation among different corporations
(C) describe the various alternatives to traditional methods of environmental management
(D) advocate increased corporate compliance with environmental regulation
(E) correct a common misconception about the impact of environmental regulations


OG 2019 ID's:
RC00272-02
RC00272-04
RC00272-06
RC00272-07


Why option D is wrong in 3rd Question. Is it not exemplifying ?
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Question 3


swapnils10
Why option D is wrong in 3rd question. is it not exemplifying the misconception ?
Question 3 asks us to find the answer choice that "best describes the relationship of the statement about large plants in the highlighted text to the passage as a whole."

In other words, why does the author include that sentence? What purpose does it serve in the context of the author's main point?

To answer questions like this, first break down the structure of the passage as a whole. Here's a breakdown of the first paragraph:

  • First, the author introduces a myth: that environmental regulations affect all competitors in a given industry uniformly
  • Then, the author claims that this myth is wrong: He/she argues that regulatory costs fall unevenly
  • Next, he/she provides an example to support this claim: Isolated vs. non-isolated plants

Then we get to the highlighted text at the beginning of the second paragraph:
Quote:
Additionally, large plants can spread compliance costs such as waste treatment across a larger revenue base; on the other hand, some smaller plants may not even be subject to certain provisions such as permit or reporting requirements by virtue of their size.
Notice the word "additionally" at the beginning of this sentence. This tells us that the author is continuing on with his/her previous discussion. So, he/she is providing another example to support the claim that regulatory costs fall unevenly.

The highlighted text doesn't exemplify the misconception (or myth) itself. Instead, it provides support for the author's claim that the myth is, in fact, totally incorrect.

Eliminate (D), and (C) is the correct answer to question 3.

I hope that helps!
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What is the interpretation of environemntal management problems being referred to in the question stems? Can regulatory issue be called environmental management problem and why? Or does env management problem mean problems for managing the environment as stated by the official explanation given by saviofernanz: "The passage is not about the management of any environmental problem, which would be a problem about how to prevent or undo damage to the environment."?

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