Editor: Many people blame investment banks alone for the decline in US

Question

Editor:  Many people blame investment banks alone for the decline in US economy over the past five years.  Yet clearly, the Federal Reserve and consumers have each played a vital role in this decline. In the five years prior to the recession, the Federal Reserve kept interest rates low and consumers had a habit of spending beyond their means. Combined, consumers went ahead and took on large mortgages to buy homes they couldn't necessarily afford should they lose a fraction of their income.

In the editor's argument, the portion in boldface plays which of the following roles?

(A)It is the main conclusion of the argument.

(B)It is a finding that the argument seeks to explain.

(C)It is an explanation that the argument concludes is correct.

(D)It provides evidence in support of the main conclusion of the argument.

(E)It introduces a judgment that the argument opposes.

My Answer is B. But it is wrong, Please anyone tell that correct answer for this. 
Source : GMAT Pill

akshata19 · Answer

Boldface not highlighted.
Please update the post

imyuva · Answer

Oh Sorry. Now I have highlighted bold phrase.

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arvind910619 · Answer

Imo E 
The boldface is the judgement that the argument opposes .

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akshata19 · Answer

Boldface part is neither the main conclusion nor the evidence/explanation so we can clearly eliminate A C D

*Many people blame* the sentence indicates that
it is not a finding but more of a perception
Hence not B

And later part of the passage indicates that others are to blamed as well

E is the best choice

Kudos please if explanation helped

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Tiffsootmoot8 · Answer

Here's what I think:
The author says that Investment banks aren't the only ones to be blamed, federal reserve and consumers deserve an equal share of blame too. The paragraph 'In the five years prior.... their income." justifies his argument. 
Hence it is clear that the argument given by the author contradicts or opposes the first statement.

Therefore option E is correct.

chesstitans · Answer

the pattern in this question is important b/c the pattern has been employed by many reliable gmat sources. 
Test takers should be aware of the pattern.

ehsan090 · Answer

E--- people opinion/Judgment or assumption it is

AbhishekP220108 · Answer

Many people blame investment banks alone for the decline in US economy over the past five years.

The correct answer becomes  (E) .

Here is the breakdown of why the answer changes:

1. The Argument Structure

The Boldface (Sentence 1):  "Many people blame investment banks alone..."
 
  Role:  This is a widely held opinion or judgment that the author acknowledges but  disagrees with .  
 
  The Pivot:  "Yet clearly..."
 
  Role:  The word "Yet" signals that the author is about to contradict the first sentence.  
 
  The Main Conclusion (Sentence 2):  "...the Federal Reserve and consumers have each played a vital role..."
 
  Role:  The author is arguing that the blame is shared, not solely on the banks.

2. Why (E) is the Correct Choice

Option (E):  "It introduces a judgment that the argument opposes." 
  Analysis:  The argument explicitly opposes the idea that banks are  solely  ("alone") to blame. The author's entire goal is to prove this specific judgment wrong by showing that the Fed and consumers were also responsible.  
 Why the others are now incorrect:

(A)  The boldface is not the conclusion; it is the  opposite  of the conclusion. 
  (B)  It is not a factual "finding" (like data); it is a "blame" or opinion held by "many people." 
  (C)  The argument concludes this explanation is  incorrect  (or at least incomplete), not correct. 
  (D)  It does not support the conclusion; it contradicts it.

Editor: Many people blame investment banks alone for the decline in US

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Editor: Many people blame investment banks alone for the decline in US

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