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General Autos sold a record number of

GMATPill

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03 Sep 2013, 18:46

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Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!

Difficulty:

5% (low)

Question Stats:

89% (01:46) correct

11% (02:04) wrong

based on 507 sessions

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General Autos sold a record number of automobiles last year. Will General Autos bring in another record this year? Well, an automobile is sold either within the United States or sold overseas in international markets. Abroad, automobiles have been sold this year at well below last year's record pace. At the same time, there is considerable evidence that the number of overseas offices opened will be no higher this year than it was last year, and surely the new overseas offices opened this year will sell no more automobiles per office location than did last year's overseas offices. Clearly, it can be concluded that the incremental number of automobiles sold this year will fall short of last year's record.

In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a prediction that, if accurate, would provide support for the main conclusion of the argument; the second is that main conclusion.

(B) The first is a prediction that, if accurate, would provide support for the main conclusion of the argument; the second is a conclusion drawn in order to support that main conclusion.

(C) The first is an objection that the argument rejects; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.

(D) The first is an objection that the argument rejects; the second presents a conclusion that could be drawn if that objection were allowed to stand.

(E) The first is a claim that has been advanced in support of a position that the argument opposes; the second is a claim advanced in support of the main conclusion of the argument.

Original Source: Practice Pill Platform

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GMATPill

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06 Sep 2013, 09:28

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Note the keyword here is "clearly" - indicating that the text before that keyword must be supporting the claim/conclusion after it.

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05 Apr 2018, 22:22

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GMATPill

General Autos sold a record number of automobiles last year. Will General Autos bring in another record this year? Well, an automobile is sold either within the United States or sold overseas in international markets. Abroad, automobiles have been sold this year at well below last year's record pace. At the same time, there is considerable evidence that the number of overseas offices opened will be no higher this year than it was last year, and surely the new overseas offices opened this year will sell no more automobiles per office location than did last year's overseas offices. Clearly,it can be concluded that the incremental number of automobiles sold this year will fall short of last year's record.

In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a prediction that, if accurate, would provide support for the main conclusion of the argument; the second is that main conclusion.

(B) The first is a prediction that, if accurate, would provide support for the main conclusion of the argument; the second is a conclusion drawn in order to support that main conclusion.

(C) The first is an objection that the argument rejects; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.

(D) The first is an objection that the argument rejects; the second presents a conclusion that could be drawn if that objection were allowed to stand.

(E) The first is a claim that has been advanced in support of a position that the argument opposes; the second is a claim advanced in support of the main conclusion of the argument.

Original Source: Practice Pill Platform

The question itself states the answer. See the highlighted part.

Clearly the option A is the OA.

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17 Jan 2021, 09:01

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GMATPill

This is an easy question, and the correct answer is A, because the author is presenting a prediction using (WILL) in the first bold statement, and he presented a conclusion using (CLEARLY) in the second bold statement.

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Argument Breakdown:
First Boldface Statement: "General Autos sold a record number of automobiles last year."
This is a fact about the past, not a prediction or an objection. It sets the context for the discussion but does not argue against the conclusion.
Second Boldface Statement: "Clearly, it can be concluded that the incremental number of automobiles sold this year will fall short of last year's record."
This is the main conclusion of the argument.
Evaluating Answer Choices:
(A) The first is a prediction that, if accurate, would provide support for the main conclusion of the argument; the second is that main conclusion.

Incorrect. The first statement is not a prediction; it's a factual statement about past sales.
(B) The first is a prediction that, if accurate, would provide support for the main conclusion of the argument; the second is a conclusion drawn in order to support that main conclusion.

Incorrect. The first is not a prediction, and the second is the main conclusion, not a supporting conclusion.
(C) The first is an objection that the argument rejects; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.

Incorrect. The first statement is not an objection—it is a neutral fact.
(D) The first is an objection that the argument rejects; the second presents a conclusion that could be drawn if that objection were allowed to stand.

Incorrect. Again, the first is not an objection, and the second is the main conclusion, not a conditional conclusion.
(E) The first is a claim that has been advanced in support of a position that the argument opposes; the second is a claim advanced in support of the main conclusion of the argument.

Correct. The first statement (last year’s record sales) supports the idea that another record might be possible. However, the argument opposes this position by arguing that sales will actually fall short. The second boldface supports the argument's conclusion.

Final Answer:
(E)