Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 13:45 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 13:45
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
Back to Forum
Create Topic
555-605 Level|   Weaken|      
User avatar
aashu4uiit
User avatar
Joined: 02 May 2012
Last visit: 09 Apr 2015
Posts: 58
Own Kudos:
741
 [40]
Given Kudos: 114
Posts: 58
Kudos: 741
 [40]
Corporate Spokesperson: There has been much ado about the lack of 26 Nov 2014, 07:31
8
Kudos
Add Kudos
32
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
00:00
Start Timer
Pause Timer
Resume Timer
Show Answer
Hide
Show
History
A
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!

Difficulty:

35% (medium)

Question Stats:

72% (01:53) correct 28% (02:09) wrong based on 1276 sessions

History

Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Corporate Spokesperson: There has been much ado about the lack of global corporate responsibility, but most of the harm done was incidental: corporations were in the historically unprecedented position of having substantial wealth and reach without having any of the obligations of the traditional state. This will soon change, however, as more than 50 international corporations this year enjoyed sales in excess of the GDP of 60% of the world’s countries.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the spokesperson’s argument?

(A) Enjoying financial resources equal to or greater than those of the traditional sovereign state does not necessarily entail an acceptance of the obligations traditionally accepted by such a state.

(B) Corporate revenue and influence is expected to increase in the years to come.

(C) Many corporations are among the world’s top employers.

(D) Many corporations are among the world’s top polluters.

(E) Most of the 50 corporations mentioned are expected to see significant decreases in sales as a result of a recent international recession.

Show Spoiler
Solution: A

In any Weaken question, begin by locating the conclusion, negating it, and searching the answer choices for support for the negation.

In this case, a negation would read something like “Corporations may NOT begin to act responsibly” and answer choice (A) gives evidence related to the argument explaining why corporations are still not obligated to be responsible.
ShowHide Answer
Official Answer
A
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
KarishmaB
User avatar
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 16,267
Own Kudos:
77,000
 [12]
Given Kudos: 482
Location: Pune, India
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 16,267
Kudos: 77,000
 [12]
Corporate Spokesperson: There has been much ado about the lack of 18 May 2015, 22:01
8
Kudos
Add Kudos
4
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
aashu4uiit
Corporate Spokesperson: There has been much ado about the lack of global corporate responsibility, but most of the harm done was incidental: corporations were in the historically unprecedented position of having substantial wealth and reach without having any of the obligations of the traditional state. This will soon change, however, as more than 50 international corporations this year enjoyed sales in excess of the GDP of 60% of the world’s countries.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the spokesperson’s argument?

a) Enjoying financial resources equal to or greater than those of the traditional sovereign state does not necessarily entail an acceptance of the obligations traditionally accepted by such a state.

b) Corporate revenue and influence is expected to increase in the years to come.

c) Many corporations are among the world’s top employers.

d) Many corporations are among the world’s top polluters.

e) Most of the 50 corporations mentioned are expected to see significant decreases in sales as a result of a recent international recession.
Show more

Argument:

Global corporates have been irresponsible because they had substantial wealth and no obligations of the traditional state.
This will soon change because many corporations this year enjoyed sales in excess of the GDP of 60% of the world’s countries.

The spokesperson is implying that since the sales were in excess of GDP, the corporates will take obligations of the State. The problem is, how can we say that the corporates will be willing be accept the responsibilities of the states since their earnings increase the GDP of states. They may still choose to not take the States' obligations. This is what option (A) tells you.
a) Enjoying financial resources equal to or greater than those of the traditional sovereign state does not necessarily entail an acceptance of the obligations traditionally accepted by such a state.
The corporates may not necessarily accept the obligations accepted by the State just because they earn more than the State.

This weakens the argument of the spokesperson.

(E) Most of the 50 corporations mentioned are expected to see significant decreases in sales as a result of a recent international recession.

What is expected to happen next year is immaterial. This year, their sales were more than GDP so they are expected to take responsibility. What may happen in the future is conjecture and doesn't change the expectations from the corporation based on what has actually happened.

(A) is a much stronger answer than (E).
General Discussion
avatar
mhossen301
avatar
Joined: 11 Jan 2015
Last visit: 19 May 2016
Posts: 2
Given Kudos: 1
GPA: 3.3
Posts: 2
Kudos: 0
Corporate Spokesperson: There has been much ado about the lack of 13 Feb 2015, 06:19
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Thanks a lot for this.........

I think , in this passage .......
People think Corporation doesn't like to change the economy, means they have lack of responsibility.......

But, in the last part .........sales in excess of the GDP of 60% of the world’s countries........
So, the answer would be (A)
avatar
siliconbeach
avatar
Joined: 16 Dec 2012
Last visit: 17 Dec 2015
Posts: 52
Own Kudos:
106
 [1]
Given Kudos: 27
Location: India
Concentration: Marketing, Entrepreneurship
Schools: Kellogg '17 Insead Sept '16 (WL) ISB '16 (A)
GMAT 1: 660 Q51 V28
GMAT 2: 740 Q49 V41
GPA: 3.55
WE:Engineering (Media/Entertainment)
Schools: Kellogg '17 Insead Sept '16 (WL) ISB '16 (A)
GMAT 2: 740 Q49 V41
Posts: 52
Kudos: 106
 [1]
Corporate Spokesperson: There has been much ado about the lack of 10 Sep 2015, 12:01
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
This question doesn't seem to be like the ones in GMAT. I thought in that way as assumption is too way far with the rest of the passage. Is this anywhere we studied or have seen previously - just because the corporations earn more than GDPs of 60% of world countries. If there is any hypothetical relation between sales and GDP of the state, then GDP should have been of the state's. Why did spokesperson mentioned other countries ? Question is not up to GMAT mark.
User avatar
KarishmaB
User avatar
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 16,267
Own Kudos:
77,000
 [1]
Given Kudos: 482
Location: Pune, India
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 16,267
Kudos: 77,000
 [1]
Corporate Spokesperson: There has been much ado about the lack of 10 Sep 2015, 22:11
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
siliconbeach
This question doesn't seem to be like the ones in GMAT. I thought in that way as assumption is too way far with the rest of the passage. Is this anywhere we studied or have seen previously - just because the corporations earn more than GDPs of 60% of world countries. If there is any hypothetical relation between sales and GDP of the state, then GDP should have been of the state's. Why did spokesperson mentioned other countries ? Question is not up to GMAT mark.
Show more

Actually, the question is fine. CR arguments are not supposed to be perfect. There has to be scope for improvement (strengthen/weaken) or an assumption. The argument gives the author's opinion and an author's opinion may be based on facts entangled with his own assumptions. You need to identify those assumptions/gaps. It is certainly not far fetched to assume that a huge corporate with sales more than GDP of many countries should have social obligations. In fact, CSR and responsible business are in focus nowadays.
avatar
akadmin
avatar
Joined: 17 May 2015
Last visit: 03 May 2018
Posts: 22
Own Kudos:
20
Given Kudos: 190
Posts: 22
Kudos: 20
Corporate Spokesperson: There has been much ado about the lack of 19 Nov 2015, 09:32
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
VeritasPrepKarishma
aashu4uiit
Corporate Spokesperson: There has been much ado about the lack of global corporate responsibility, but most of the harm done was incidental: corporations were in the historically unprecedented position of having substantial wealth and reach without having any of the obligations of the traditional state. This will soon change, however, as more than 50 international corporations this year enjoyed sales in excess of the GDP of 60% of the world’s countries.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the spokesperson’s argument?

a) Enjoying financial resources equal to or greater than those of the traditional sovereign state does not necessarily entail an acceptance of the obligations traditionally accepted by such a state.

b) Corporate revenue and influence is expected to increase in the years to come.

c) Many corporations are among the world’s top employers.

d) Many corporations are among the world’s top polluters.

e) Most of the 50 corporations mentioned are expected to see significant decreases in sales as a result of a recent international recession.

Argument:

Global corporates have been irresponsible because they had substantial wealth and no obligations of the traditional state.
This will soon change because many corporations this year enjoyed sales in excess of the GDP of 60% of the world’s countries.

The spokesperson is implying that since the sales were in excess of GDP, the corporates will take obligations of the State. The problem is, how can we say that the corporates will be willing be accept the responsibilities of the states since their earnings increase the GDP of states. They may still choose to not take the States' obligations. This is what option (A) tells you.
a) Enjoying financial resources equal to or greater than those of the traditional sovereign state does not necessarily entail an acceptance of the obligations traditionally accepted by such a state.
The corporates may not necessarily accept the obligations accepted by the State just because they earn more than the State.

This weakens the argument of the spokesperson.

(E) Most of the 50 corporations mentioned are expected to see significant decreases in sales as a result of a recent international recession.

What is expected to happen next year is immaterial. This year, their sales were more than GDP so they are expected to take responsibility. What may happen in the future is conjecture and doesn't change the expectations from the corporation based on what has actually happened.

(A) is a much stronger answer than (E).
Show more


Would this be classified as a change of scope article?
User avatar
Helium
User avatar
Joined: 08 Jun 2013
Last visit: 01 Jun 2020
Posts: 454
Own Kudos:
808
Given Kudos: 118
Location: France
Schools: INSEAD Jan '19
GMAT 1: 200 Q1 V1
GPA: 3.82
WE:Consulting (Other)
Schools: INSEAD Jan '19
GMAT 1: 200 Q1 V1
Posts: 454
Kudos: 808
Corporate Spokesperson: There has been much ado about the lack of 02 Sep 2018, 08:13
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
In any Weaken question, begin by locating the conclusion, negating it, and searching the answer choices for support for the negation. In this case, a negation would read something like “Corporations may NOT begin to act responsibly” and answer choice (A) gives evidence related to the argument explaining why corporations are still not obligated to be responsible.
User avatar
mangamma
User avatar
Joined: 25 Dec 2018
Last visit: 12 Jul 2023
Posts: 506
Own Kudos:
1,816
 [1]
Given Kudos: 994
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Finance
GMAT Date: 02-18-2019
GPA: 3.4
WE:Engineering (Consulting)
Posts: 506
Kudos: 1,816
 [1]
Corporate Spokesperson: There has been much ado about the lack of 04 Jan 2020, 05:41
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
official explanation

Solution: A

In any Weaken question, begin by locating the conclusion, negating it, and searching the answer choices for support for the negation. In this case, a negation would read something like “Corporations may NOT begin to act responsibly” and answer choice (A) gives evidence related to the argument explaining why corporations are still not obligated to be responsible.
avatar
jayarora
avatar
Current Student
Joined: 24 Oct 2016
Last visit: 26 Apr 2025
Posts: 163
Own Kudos:
237
 [1]
Given Kudos: 116
Location: India
Concentration: Technology, Strategy
Schools: Harvard '24 (A)
GMAT 1: 710 Q49 V38
GMAT 2: 760 Q50 V44 (Online)
GPA: 3.61
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: Harvard '24 (A)
GMAT 2: 760 Q50 V44 (Online)
Posts: 163
Kudos: 237
 [1]
Corporate Spokesperson: There has been much ado about the lack of 17 May 2020, 04:34
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
aashu4uiit
Corporate Spokesperson: There has been much ado about the lack of global corporate responsibility, but most of the harm done was incidental: corporations were in the historically unprecedented position of having substantial wealth and reach without having any of the obligations of the traditional state. This will soon change, however, as more than 50 international corporations this year enjoyed sales in excess of the GDP of 60% of the world’s countries.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the spokesperson’s argument?

(A) Enjoying financial resources equal to or greater than those of the traditional sovereign state does not necessarily entail an acceptance of the obligations traditionally accepted by such a state.

(B) Corporate revenue and influence is expected to increase in the years to come.

(C) Many corporations are among the world’s top employers.

(D) Many corporations are among the world’s top polluters.

(E) Most of the 50 corporations mentioned are expected to see significant decreases in sales as a result of a recent international recession.

Show Spoiler
Solution: A

In any Weaken question, begin by locating the conclusion, negating it, and searching the answer choices for support for the negation.

In this case, a negation would read something like “Corporations may NOT begin to act responsibly” and answer choice (A) gives evidence related to the argument explaining why corporations are still not obligated to be responsible.
Show more

Hi @VeritasPrepKarishma, this passage seems not very GMAT-like. What does 'this will soon change' refer to? If allow 'this' to refer to clauses, does it refer to 'Corporations will not have substantial wealth' or 'they will be no obligations from the state' or both? Each of these scenarios can lead to different assumptions and hence different weakeners. Am I over thinking here? Can anyone shed some light ?
Thanks
avatar
wushingling
avatar
Joined: 02 May 2020
Last visit: 03 Jun 2022
Posts: 8
Own Kudos:
3
Given Kudos: 30
Location: Hong Kong
GRE 1: Q164 V156
GRE 1: Q164 V156
Posts: 8
Kudos: 3
Corporate Spokesperson: There has been much ado about the lack of 21 Sep 2020, 08:21
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
jayarora
aashu4uiit
Corporate Spokesperson: There has been much ado about the lack of global corporate responsibility, but most of the harm done was incidental: corporations were in the historically unprecedented position of having substantial wealth and reach without having any of the obligations of the traditional state. This will soon change, however, as more than 50 international corporations this year enjoyed sales in excess of the GDP of 60% of the world’s countries.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the spokesperson’s argument?

(A) Enjoying financial resources equal to or greater than those of the traditional sovereign state does not necessarily entail an acceptance of the obligations traditionally accepted by such a state.

(B) Corporate revenue and influence is expected to increase in the years to come.

(C) Many corporations are among the world’s top employers.

(D) Many corporations are among the world’s top polluters.

(E) Most of the 50 corporations mentioned are expected to see significant decreases in sales as a result of a recent international recession.

Show Spoiler
Solution: A

In any Weaken question, begin by locating the conclusion, negating it, and searching the answer choices for support for the negation.

In this case, a negation would read something like “Corporations may NOT begin to act responsibly” and answer choice (A) gives evidence related to the argument explaining why corporations are still not obligated to be responsible.

Hi @VeritasPrepKarishma, this passage seems not very GMAT-like. What does 'this will soon change' refer to? If allow 'this' to refer to clauses, does it refer to 'Corporations will not have substantial wealth' or 'they will be no obligations from the state' or both? Each of these scenarios can lead to different assumptions and hence different weakeners. Am I over thinking here? Can anyone shed some light ?
Thanks
Show more


Agree, the problem is I'm not able to understand the statement because of "this soon will change", meaning they will no longer enjoy those things, but then the following clause about the sales and GPD doesn't make sense to this transitional phrase. :(
User avatar
VerbalBot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 01 Oct 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 18,829
Own Kudos:
986
Posts: 18,829
Kudos: 986
Corporate Spokesperson: There has been much ado about the lack of 07 Jul 2023, 03:12
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
Moderators:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7443 posts
GMATNinjaTwo
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
231 posts
miag
189 posts