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.
Thank you for using the timer!
We noticed you are actually not timing your practice. Click the START button first next time you use the timer.
There are many benefits to timing your practice, including:
Join a free live webinar and learn the winning strategy for a 700+ score on GMAT & the perfect application. Save your spot today! Wednesday, March 27th at 3 pm PST
Right now, their GMAT prep, GRE prep, and MBA admissions consulting services are up to $1,100 off. GMAT (Save up to $261): SPRINGEXTRAGMAT GRE Prep (Save up to $149): SPRINGEXTRAGRE MBA (Save up to $1,240): SPRINGEXTRAMBA
For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made regular deli
[#permalink]
Show Tags
10 Mar 2011, 09:15
2
24
00:00
A
B
C
D
E
Difficulty:
95% (hard)
Question Stats:
48% (02:18) correct 52% (02:27) wrong based on 810 sessions
HideShow timer Statistics
For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made regular delivery trips between Town A and Town B. The average time taken by the company’s drivers to drive the round trip between the two towns, excluding the time taken for loading, unloading, and delivery, over that period has been 80 minutes. John, a driver for XYZ, needs to make a personal trip between the two towns; he figures that he should allow approximately 80 minutes for the round trip.
Which of the following, if true, does not call John’s conclusion into question?
(A) The route between Town A and Town B has been plagued by increasing congestion over the last five years, as the area's population has doubled during that time.
(B) Most of XYZ’s courier vehicles are heavy trucks, for which speed limits are lower than for passenger vehicles.
(C) Many of the packages carried by XYZ between Town A and Town B are large, high-security packages, for which the processes of loading, unloading, and delivery can take up to half the length of the trip itself.
(D) John will make his personal trip at an hour when XYZ does not make delivery trips.
(E) Before a freeway was built between Town A and Town B two years ago, the only routes between the two towns were state highways with multiple traffic lights and reduced-speed downtown zones.
Re: For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made regular deli
[#permalink]
Show Tags
10 Mar 2011, 09:48
5
2
This is an EXCEPTweaken question. We need to choose the choice that does not weaken the conclusion.
a) The route between Town A and Town B has been plagued by increasing congestion over the last five years, as the area's population has doubled during that time. Weakens the conclusion by saying that the trip can take more than 80 mins
b) Most of XYZ’s courier vehicles are heavy trucks, for which speed limits are lower than for passenger vehicles.This wekens the conclusion by saying that John might be able to complete the trip before 80 mins
c) Many of the packages carried by XYZ between Town A and Town B are large, high-security packages, for which the processes of loading, unloading, and delivery can take up to half the length of the trip itself.No effect on conclusion
d) John will make his personal trip at an hour when XYZ does not make delivery trips.This weakens the conclusion because it will allow john to make the trip faster
e) Before a freeway was built between Town A and Town B two years ago, the only routes between the two towns were state highways with multiple traffic lights and reduced-speed downtown zones. Again, weakens the conclusion. So we can see that C is the best choice. When I solved this problem, I was stuck between C and D. Eventually, I figured that D weakens the conclusion because if trucks are not on his route at that time, he may be able to drive faster!!!
Status: 2000 posts! I don't know whether I should feel great or sad about it! LOL
Joined: 04 Oct 2009
Posts: 1120
Location: Peru
Schools: Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, MIT & HKS (Government)
WE 1: Economic research
WE 2: Banking
WE 3: Government: Foreign Trade and SMEs
Re: For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made regular deli
[#permalink]
Show Tags
10 Mar 2011, 10:31
2
+1 C
Wow, though one.
A - The congestion is increasing, so it is possible that it will take more time for the round trip. B. Probably, the car of the driver is a McLaren F1 or a Ferrari F50. C. Correct. D. Probably, the driver will make the trip very early in the morning, when there are not many cars. E. I understand that the average time of 80 minutes includes the 5 years. In this sense, after the freeway was built, the average of the last two years has decreased. Therefore, it is possible that the round trip will take less than 80 minutes.
However, I think this question is not well constructed. The argument should mention that the average is based on the 5-years period.
_________________
"Life’s battle doesn’t always go to stronger or faster men; but sooner or later the man who wins is the one who thinks he can."
My Integrated Reasoning Logbook / Diary: http://gmatclub.com/forum/my-ir-logbook-diary-133264.html
For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made re
[#permalink]
Show Tags
17 Jul 2011, 11:52
1
Calls into question means Weakens an argument. Doesn't call into question is the opposite- Strengthens.
Question type: WeakensX
John thinks it would take him 80 minutes for the entire trip. All but one of the options prove his thinking wrong and here's how:
a) The route between Town A and Town B has been plagued by increasing congestion over the last five years, as the area's population has doubled during that time. >>>It gives a reason to suspect that the present state of road will cause him more time. Just a hypothetical scenario: 5 years back-> No congestion-> Speed 130 mph Now-> Congestion-> Speed 30 mph Average-> 80 mph Thus, average speed for last five years is not a good basis to judge the travel time today. Weakens.
b) Most of XYZ’s courier vehicles are heavy trucks, for which speed limits are lower than for passenger vehicles. >>>John will be traveling in a passenger car and can potentially travel faster because of less restriction. The travel time can thus be significantly lower.
c) Many of the packages carried by XYZ between Town A and Town B are large, high-security packages, for which the processes of loading, unloading, and delivery can take up to half the length of the trip itself. >>> average time was calculated "excluding the time taken for loading, unloading, and delivery, over that period has been 80 minutes." Thus, this doesn't weaken his guess.
d) John will make his personal trip at an hour when XYZ does not make delivery trips. Night times; free road. Faster travel time compared to the travel time during the day when the delivery happens.
e) Before a freeway was built between Town A and Town B two years ago, the only routes between the two towns were state highways with multiple traffic lights and reduced-speed downtown zones. 2 years back-> bad speed-> maybe 50 Now->110 mph John can make the trip more quickly. Weaken
Re: For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made regular deli
[#permalink]
Show Tags
17 Jul 2011, 11:57
2
1
pkmme wrote:
The answer is C; however, bear my ignorance, my point is that as per the question "does not call John’s conclusion into question" can be interpreted as choose an option that doesn't call John's conclusion that he can cover the round trip in 80 mins into question or doesn't weakens the conclusion. Taking this into consideration, B also points out the courier vehicles are slow as they carry heavy goods and the courier vehicles take 80 mins. Thus, John going on a personal journey can definitely cover the trip in less than 80 mins. So, B also doesn't weaken the conclusion
If you predict that you would score approximately 750 in GMAT.
Scoring an 800 or a 700 would both be considered bad prediction. This argument is similar.
80 mph means 80 mph. both 130 mph AND 30 mph are bad result.
_________________
Re: For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made regular deli
[#permalink]
Show Tags
26 Jul 2011, 10:13
UtterNonsense wrote:
d) John will make his personal trip at an hour when XYZ does not make delivery trips. Night times; free road. Faster travel time compared to the travel time during the day when the delivery happens.
Sorry for the stupid question but how can we assume that delivery happens only during the day time or any other time at which the company XYZ doesn't make delivery trips the traffic would be less - Could you please explain?
No we can't assume so. I just presented this hypothetical scenario to instantiate what the statement is trying to convey.
A more generalized interpretation would be:
Because John makes the trip at an hour different from usual delivery hour, the traffic condition may be different, affecting his commuting time.
_________________
Re: For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made regular deli
[#permalink]
Show Tags
26 Jul 2011, 10:44
fluke wrote:
UtterNonsense wrote:
d) John will make his personal trip at an hour when XYZ does not make delivery trips. Night times; free road. Faster travel time compared to the travel time during the day when the delivery happens.
Sorry for the stupid question but how can we assume that delivery happens only during the day time or any other time at which the company XYZ doesn't make delivery trips the traffic would be less - Could you please explain?
No we can't assume so. I just presented this hypothetical scenario to instantiate what the statement is trying to convey.
A more generalized interpretation would be:
Because John makes the trip at an hour different from usual delivery hour, the traffic condition may be different, affecting his commuting time.
Re: For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made regular deli
[#permalink]
Show Tags
12 Aug 2011, 05:50
The official answer explanation is as below:
Quote:
John assumes that his round-trip driving time between the two towns will be similar to XYZ’s average time, over the last five years, for the same round trip. Therefore, John’s conclusion will be weakened by (a) any systematic difference between John’s personal trip and XYZ’s company trips, or (b) any reason why the five-year average is not representative of the time currently required to drive between the two towns.
(A) If this statement is true, then the five-year average commute time will not be representative of the current commute time, since the increasing congestion will have raised the current commute time to a level greater than the five-year average.
(B)If most of XYZ’s courier vehicles are subject to speed limits lower than those for commuter automobiles, then the courier vehicles’ commute time will probably be longer than John’s commute time in his personal vehicle.
(C) Correct The cited round-trip time specifically excludes the time required for loading, unloading, and delivery, so the length of time taken by these tasks is irrelevant to the conclusion at hand.
(D) Since traffic patterns are highly dependent upon the time of day, the given 80-minute average cannot necessarily be expected to hold at times when XYZ does not make deliveries.
(E) If this statement is true, then, for the first three years of the five-year period in question, the transit time between the two towns would have been much longer than that for the last two years of the period (and thus the current time). Therefore, in this case, the five-year average will not be representative of the current time.
The correct answer is C.
I got two points here : 1.I understand that we need to pick a choice that has got no effect on the conclusion. So, it has got nothing to do whether an option that strengthems or weakens the conclusion. The right explanation should read as marked above instead of weakened , it should use "affected"
2. I found the question ambiguous in that there is no way to tell from the q. stem if John will use his own personal vehicle or the company truck. So,this clouded my reasoning.
But I guess the way to deal with this kind of complex stuff like this is to take a simplistic approach and then attack the choices.
Re: For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made regular deli
[#permalink]
Show Tags
16 Aug 2011, 09:21
C from me, for the reason we are asked to weaken the conclusion of John, if something is true
Conclusion : John should allow approximately 80 minutes for the round trip.
Premise: company’s drivers to drive the round trip between the two towns is 80 mins. ( excluding the time taken for loading, unloading, and delivery)
A: out of queston B: Out of scope : condition seems good but can be argued in multiple ways both (true and false) C: Correct: for the reason, if we assume that if the premise is changed this can weaken the conclusion of John. ( excluding the time taken for loading, unloading, and delivery)
For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made
[#permalink]
Show Tags
Updated on: 19 Jul 2017, 04:05
2
1
For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made regular delivery trips between Town A and Town B. The average time taken by the company’s drivers to drive the round trip between the two towns, excluding the time taken for loading, unloading, and delivery, over that period has been 80 minutes. John, a driver for XYZ, needs to make a personal trip between the two towns; he figures that he should allow approximately 80 minutes for the round trip.
Which of the following, if true, does not call John’s conclusion into question?
A. The route between Town A and Town B has been plagued by increasing congestion over the last five years, as the area's population has doubled during that time. B. Most of XYZ’s courier vehicles are heavy trucks, for which speed limits are lower than for passenger vehicles. C. Many of the packages carried by XYZ between Town A and Town B are large, high-security packages, for which the processes of loading, unloading, and delivery can take up to half the length of the trip itself. D. John will make his personal trip at an hour when XYZ does not make delivery trips. E. Before a freeway was built between Town A and Town B two years ago, the only routes between the two towns were state highways with multiple traffic lights and reduced-speed downtown zones.
Originally posted by ruturajp on 09 Dec 2011, 20:35.
Last edited by Skywalker18 on 19 Jul 2017, 04:05, edited 1 time in total.
Re: For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made
[#permalink]
Show Tags
10 Dec 2011, 02:14
ruturajp wrote:
For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made regular delivery trips between Town A and Town B. The average time taken by the company’s drivers to drive the round trip between the two towns, excluding the time taken for loading, unloading, and delivery, over that period has been 80 minutes. John, a driver for XYZ, needs to make a personal trip between the two towns; he figures that he should allow approximately 80 minutes for the round trip.
Which of the following, if true, does not call John’s conclusion into question?
The route between Town A and Town B has been plagued by increasing congestion over the last five years, as the area's population has doubled during that time. => this sentence make the time spending more than 80 min
Most of XYZ’s courier vehicles are heavy trucks, for which speed limits are lower than for passenger vehicles. => make shorter time, <80 min
Many of the packages carried by XYZ between Town A and Town B are large, high-security packages, for which the processes of loading, unloading, and delivery can take up to half the length of the trip itself. => does not affect anymore to the time spending for personal trip
John will make his personal trip at an hour when XYZ does not make delivery trips. => clearly <80min
Before a freeway was built between Town A and Town B two years ago, the only routes between the two towns were state highways with multiple traffic lights and reduced-speed downtown zones. => now, free way was built, make the time spending for the trip is less
This kind of question is Weakening EXCEPT
_________________
Re: For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made
[#permalink]
Show Tags
10 Dec 2011, 06:29
tuanquang269 wrote:
ruturajp wrote:
For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made regular delivery trips between Town A and Town B. The average time taken by the company’s drivers to drive the round trip between the two towns, excluding the time taken for loading, unloading, and delivery, over that period has been 80 minutes. John, a driver for XYZ, needs to make a personal trip between the two towns; he figures that he should allow approximately 80 minutes for the round trip.
Which of the following, if true, does not call John’s conclusion into question?
The route between Town A and Town B has been plagued by increasing congestion over the last five years, as the area's population has doubled during that time. => this sentence make the time spending more than 80 min
Most of XYZ’s courier vehicles are heavy trucks, for which speed limits are lower than for passenger vehicles. => make shorter time, <80 min
Many of the packages carried by XYZ between Town A and Town B are large, high-security packages, for which the processes of loading, unloading, and delivery can take up to half the length of the trip itself. => does not affect anymore to the time spending for personal trip
John will make his personal trip at an hour when XYZ does not make delivery trips. => clearly <80min
Before a freeway was built between Town A and Town B two years ago, the only routes between the two towns were state highways with multiple traffic lights and reduced-speed downtown zones. => now, free way was built, make the time spending for the trip is less
This kind of question is Weakening EXCEPT
I am still confused..please explain it more in detail
Re: For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made
[#permalink]
Show Tags
10 Dec 2011, 13:42
1
The question is asking which one of the answers will not question his 80 min round trip. Remember this is asking only about the round trip to and from A and B. Does not ask about the loading and unloading of the truck. C is the only answer that mentions something about the unloading of the packages. All other answer choices talk about how the drive from A to B may take longer.
_________________
Re: For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made
[#permalink]
Show Tags
10 Dec 2011, 23:08
ruturajp wrote:
For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made regular delivery trips between Town A and Town B. The average time taken by the company’s drivers to drive the round trip between the two towns, excluding the time taken for loading, unloading, and delivery, over that period has been 80 minutes. John, a driver for XYZ, needs to make a personal trip between the two towns; he figures that he should allow approximately 80 minutes for the round trip.
Which of the following, if true, does not call John’s conclusion into question?
The route between Town A and Town B has been plagued by increasing congestion over the last five years, as the area's population has doubled during that time.
Most of XYZ’s courier vehicles are heavy trucks, for which speed limits are lower than for passenger vehicles.
Many of the packages carried by XYZ between Town A and Town B are large, high-security packages, for which the processes of loading, unloading, and delivery can take up to half the length of the trip itself.
John will make his personal trip at an hour when XYZ does not make delivery trips.
Before a freeway was built between Town A and Town B two years ago, the only routes between the two towns were state highways with multiple traffic lights and reduced-speed downtown zones.
Concentration: International Business, General Management
GPA: 3.86
WE: Accounting (Commercial Banking)
Re: For the last five years, the XYZ Courier Company has made
[#permalink]
Show Tags
11 Dec 2011, 08:35
I will go with B, it says courier vehicles takes approx 80 min and says passeger vehicles are faster than courier vehicles so 80 min should be sufficient for the trip
Plz correct me if i am wrong and also please share the OA?
_________________
close
48% (02:18) correct 
but C souds right as in does not matter to the conclusion!
