Last visit was: 18 Nov 2025, 17:45 It is currently 18 Nov 2025, 17:45
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
   1   2   3   4 
805+ Level|   Non-Math Related|         
User avatar
Anugmat740
User avatar
Joined: 31 Aug 2021
Last visit: 19 Oct 2024
Posts: 97
Own Kudos:
109
Given Kudos: 156
Posts: 97
Kudos: 109
GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 5): ­Janet: The wild auroch was a species 13 Jul 2024, 04:45
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Janet- Records from that era show that aurochs were very hard to hunt.
If they are very hard to hunt than they must not have become extinct due to hunting.

Junko- Th auroch’s in Eastern Europe went extinct during a time period wherein trade between Asia and Easter Europe was weaker than it had been during earlier periods wherein they thrived.
If the disease were to be introduced from Asia than the extinction should have become earlier when the trade was stronger.

IMO 1-4 2- 1
User avatar
Chimz
User avatar
Joined: 19 May 2024
Last visit: 03 Jul 2025
Posts: 91
Own Kudos:
52
Given Kudos: 5
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Sustainability
Posts: 91
Kudos: 52
GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 5): ­Janet: The wild auroch was a species 13 Jul 2024, 04:50
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Ans : Janet : Roughly half a dozen other species of cattle went extinct alongside the auroch ; explains spread of rinderpest amongst cattle

Junko : Most historians agree that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s : weakens janets assertion that Wild auroch, extntinct in first half 1600, whereas domesticated cattle was broought in mid 1600's

Janet :
Wild auroch, extntinct in first half 1600; not because of hunting or habitat displacement, possible reason : Rinderpest

Junko : cite any other evidence in its favor; weaken Janets assertion
User avatar
anish0953
User avatar
Joined: 20 May 2024
Last visit: 13 Mar 2025
Posts: 86
Own Kudos:
49
Given Kudos: 103
Location: United Kingdom
Concentration: Leadership, Entrepreneurship
GPA: 9.2
WE:Business Development (Finance)
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 86
Kudos: 49
GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 5): ­Janet: The wild auroch was a species 13 Jul 2024, 05:04
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
­Janet: The wild auroch was a species of large wild cattle whose last known herd went extinct in Eastern Europe in the first half of the 1600s. As the records of the period show that their extinction occurred during a period of stagnation in local population growth, it is unlikely that they were hunted to extinction or died due to habitat displacement. Something else must have led to the auroch’s extinction, and the best candidate is rinderpest – a disease inadvertently introduced into the auroch’s ecosystem through the import of domesticated cattle from Asia.

Junko: That argument is unlikely to convince scholars on its own. Can you cite any other evidence in its favor?

Select Janet for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Janet’s assertion, and select Junko for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s assertions. Make only two selections, one in each column.

­
 


This question was provided by Experts' Global
for the GMAT Olympics 2024

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Admissions Consulting, and more

 

­
­
Show more
For Janet (strengthening her assertion):
- The statement should support the idea that rinderpest, a disease introduced through domesticated cattle from Asia, caused the auroch's extinction.

For Junko (strengthening her disbelief):
- The statement should cast doubt on Janet's claim by providing counter-evidence or suggesting alternative explanations for the auroch's extinction.

Janet:
- Option: Roughly half a dozen other species of cattle went extinct alongside the auroch.

  Explanation: If multiple species of cattle went extinct around the same time as the auroch, it suggests a widespread cause like an epidemic disease (such as rinderpest), supporting Janet's assertion that rinderpest led to the auroch's extinction.

Junko:
- Option: Most historians agree that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s.

  Explanation: If Asian domesticated cattle, which could carry rinderpest, were imported to Eastern Europe after the aurochs went extinct, it undermines Janet's argument that rinderpest from these cattle caused the extinction. This supports Junko's skepticism.
 
User avatar
Lizaza
User avatar
Joined: 16 Jan 2021
Last visit: 17 Nov 2025
Posts: 165
Own Kudos:
219
 [1]
Given Kudos: 5
GMAT 1: 710 Q47 V40
GMAT 1: 710 Q47 V40
Posts: 165
Kudos: 219
 [1]
GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 5): ­Janet: The wild auroch was a species 13 Jul 2024, 05:11
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
­Janet's argument claims that because the auroch died out in Eastern Europr in the early 1600s, when the population wasn't growing all that much, it couldn't have been hunted down or dsplaced by city growht, and therefore was likely impacted by the rinderpest infection. 
Therefore, among the answer options we are looking for evidence to support these speculations (like, confirming lack of hunting or severity of the desease), whereas for Junko any contradictory statements would do best.

(A)
This looks like a weakener, because it indirectly undermines the possibility of bringing rinderfest from Asia due to less active trade. However, nothing in the original prompt precludes the introduction of rinderfest earlier (which potentially only started to spread gradually), and in order to bring it into the continent, the trade doesn't have to thrive - it's sufficient to ony bring in a couple of cattle specimens. Eliminate.

(B)
Given that Junko refers to scholars already, this one hits close to home for him. Indeed, if the extinction happened before rinderfest even could be introduced, Janet's argment seriously loses validity. This is the best one for Junko.

(C)
This statement is neither here nor there. Yes, knowing that many cattle species went extinct highlights the fact that there was some problem leading to this. However, it sheds no light on the actual origin of this problem, and therefore can neither support nor downplay Janet's reasoning. Eliminate.

(D)
Here we learn that at least one of the points made by Janet is well corroborated - indeed, seems like auroch was not hunted down to extinction. This is a good option for Janet.

(E)
Janet's arguments have nothing to do with the size of the auroch, which is why this one is irrelevant.

Therefore, as we have no real contenders, the right answers are B for Junko (Most historians...) and D for Janet (Records from...).­
User avatar
MT___
User avatar
Joined: 31 Oct 2023
Last visit: 26 Jan 2025
Posts: 29
Own Kudos:
20
 [1]
Given Kudos: 241
Posts: 29
Kudos: 20
 [1]
GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 5): ­Janet: The wild auroch was a species 13 Jul 2024, 05:14
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Janet's support:
Most historians agree that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s.

Junko's support:­
Records from that era show that aurochs were very hard to hunt.  
User avatar
Abhijeet24
User avatar
Joined: 06 Apr 2023
Last visit: 23 Feb 2025
Posts: 48
Own Kudos:
54
Given Kudos: 30
GMAT Focus 1: 615 Q83 V79 DI80
GPA: 3.94
Products:
My Reviews
GMAT Focus 1: 615 Q83 V79 DI80
Posts: 48
Kudos: 54
GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 5): ­Janet: The wild auroch was a species 13 Jul 2024, 05:22
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
­Janet: The wild auroch was a species of large wild cattle whose last known herd went extinct in Eastern Europe in the first half of the 1600s. As the records of the period show that their extinction occurred during a period of stagnation in local population growth, it is unlikely that they were hunted to extinction or died due to habitat displacement. Something else must have led to the auroch’s extinction, and the best candidate is rinderpest – a disease inadvertently introduced into the auroch’s ecosystem through the import of domesticated cattle from Asia.

Junko: That argument is unlikely to convince scholars on its own. Can you cite any other evidence in its favor?

Select Janet for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Janet’s assertion, and select Junko for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s assertions. Make only two selections, one in each column.

­
 


This question was provided by Experts' Global
for the GMAT Olympics 2024

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Admissions Consulting, and more

 

­
­
Show more
­Janet:

Roughly half a dozen other species of cattle went extinct alongside the auroch.  
  This statement strengthens Janet's assertion by suggesting a broader pattern of extinctions among cattle species during the same period, which could imply a common cause, such as a disease like rinderpest.

Junko
Most historians agree that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s.**  
  This statement strengthens Junko's disbelief by casting doubt on Janet's hypothesis. If Asian domesticated cattle, which could have introduced rinderpest, were not imported until the late 1600s, they could not have been responsible for the extinction of the aurochs in the first half of the 1600s.
User avatar
Catman
User avatar
Joined: 03 Aug 2017
Last visit: 12 Feb 2025
Posts: 320
Own Kudos:
328
Given Kudos: 219
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 320
Kudos: 328
GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 5): ­Janet: The wild auroch was a species 13 Jul 2024, 05:42
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Janet - The auroch’s in Eastern Europe went extinct during a time period wherein trade between Asia and Easter Europe was weaker than it had been during earlier periods wherein they thrived.
This option eliminate any other cause which may have occured during that period. Thus strengthening the conclusion that rinderpest is the reason for extinction.

Junko- Most historians agree that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s.
IF asian domesticated cattle were imported in the late 1600s, than they cannot be the reason for wild auroch extinction in Eastern Europe in the first half of the 1600s.

IMO 1- 1 2-2
User avatar
Suboopc
User avatar
Joined: 14 Mar 2023
Last visit: 02 Jul 2025
Posts: 82
Own Kudos:
138
 [1]
Given Kudos: 5
Posts: 82
Kudos: 138
 [1]
GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 5): ­Janet: The wild auroch was a species 13 Jul 2024, 05:57
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
­Janet: The wild auroch was a species of large wild cattle whose last known herd went extinct in Eastern Europe in the first half of the 1600s. As the records of the period show that their extinction occurred during a period of stagnation in local population growth, it is unlikely that they were hunted to extinction or died due to habitat displacement. Something else must have led to the auroch’s extinction, and the best candidate is rinderpest – a disease inadvertently introduced into the auroch’s ecosystem through the import of domesticated cattle from Asia.

Junko: That argument is unlikely to convince scholars on its own. Can you cite any other evidence in its favor?

Select Janet for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Janet’s assertion, and select Junko for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s assertions. Make only two selections, one in each column.

­
Show more
­The auroch’s in Eastern Europe went extinct during a time period wherein trade between Asia and Easter Europe was weaker than it had been during earlier periods wherein they thrived.Most historians agree that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s.Roughly half a dozen other species of cattle went extinct alongside the auroch.Records from that era show that aurochs were very hard to hunt.Several wild animals larger than the aurochs also went extinct during the 1600s.
1. Just because trade was slow does not mean that cattle trade was slow. We need extra assumptions to reach any conclusion.
2. This explains why Junko might say that we need more evidence. Since the domestic cattle which were claimed to have infected the aurochs did not arrive until the aurochs were extinct. --- Junko
3. We don't know what caused this extinction. It could very well be hunting. This extinction could be anywhere in the world as well.
4. This supports the reasoning that the Auroch did not go extinct because of hunting and thus supports Janet's explanation --- Janet
5. We don't know why these wild animals went extinct. It could be that they were not even in the vicinity of aurochs.
 ­
User avatar
smile2
User avatar
Joined: 17 Jul 2018
Last visit: 17 Nov 2025
Posts: 59
Own Kudos:
85
 [1]
Given Kudos: 29
Posts: 59
Kudos: 85
 [1]
GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 5): ­Janet: The wild auroch was a species 13 Jul 2024, 05:58
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
 1. The auroch’s in Eastern Europe went extinct during a time period wherein trade between Asia and Easter Europe was weaker than it had been during earlier periods wherein they thrived 
    Even if the trade was weaker, we are not sure This neither stengthens Janet’s assertion nor strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s assertions.

2. Most historians agree that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s.
    If the cattle were imported after the extinction, then it definitely strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s assertions

3. Roughly half a dozen other species of cattle went extinct alongside the auroch.
    There could be many reasons why these other species of cattle went extinct. Where these other species went extent? we don't know. 

4. Records from that era show that aurochs were very hard to hunt.
    This emphasizes the fact that aurochs did not go extinct because of the hunting and something else must have led to the auroch's extinction. 

5. Several wild animals larger than the aurochs also went extinct during the 1600s.
    There could be many reasons why these several wild animals larger than the aurochs went extinct during the 1600s. If it is true, does it prove the point that something else such as rinderpest must have led to the auroch's extinction? no! 

The answer choices are 
Janet - Records from that era show that aurochs were very hard to hunt.
Junko - Most historians agree that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s.

 ­
User avatar
said.tojiboev
User avatar
PhD Forum Moderator
Joined: 04 Oct 2018
Last visit: 20 Oct 2025
Posts: 65
Own Kudos:
60
Given Kudos: 10
Location: Uzbekistan
Concentration: Strategy, General Management
Schools: Stanford '27
GPA: 4.49
WE:Project Management (Education)
Schools: Stanford '27
Posts: 65
Kudos: 60
GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 5): ­Janet: The wild auroch was a species 13 Jul 2024, 06:02
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
 
Bunuel
­Janet: The wild auroch was a species of large wild cattle whose last known herd went extinct in Eastern Europe in the first half of the 1600s. As the records of the period show that their extinction occurred during a period of stagnation in local population growth, it is unlikely that they were hunted to extinction or died due to habitat displacement. Something else must have led to the auroch’s extinction, and the best candidate is rinderpest – a disease inadvertently introduced into the auroch’s ecosystem through the import of domesticated cattle from Asia.

Junko: That argument is unlikely to convince scholars on its own. Can you cite any other evidence in its favor?

Select Janet for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Janet’s assertion, and select Junko for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s assertions. Make only two selections, one in each column.

­
 


This question was provided by Experts' Global
for the GMAT Olympics 2024

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Admissions Consulting, and more

 

­
­
Show more
­
  • Janet: Several wild animals larger than the aurochs also went extinct during the 1600s. (Strengthens Janet's assertion by indicating a broader ecological impact that could support the introduction of a disease like rinderpest.)
  • Junko: The aurochs in Eastern Europe went extinct during a time period wherein trade between Asia and Eastern Europe was weaker than it had been during earlier periods wherein they thrived. (Strengthens Junko's disbelief by suggesting a weaker link between Asian trade and the introduction of rinderpest.)
User avatar
iabhish1509
User avatar
Joined: 09 Jan 2024
Last visit: 26 Sep 2025
Posts: 121
Own Kudos:
62
 [1]
Given Kudos: 200
Location: India
Schools: Duke Fuqua NUS ESSEC MiM "27 BU (A) Simon '27 (A$$) Tepper (A$)
GPA: 8
Schools: Duke Fuqua NUS ESSEC MiM "27 BU (A) Simon '27 (A$$) Tepper (A$)
Posts: 121
Kudos: 62
 [1]
GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 5): ­Janet: The wild auroch was a species 13 Jul 2024, 06:29
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Janet: Most historians agree that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s. This supports the claim that rinderpest could have been introduced around the same time, potentially contributing to the auroch's extinction.
To strengthen Junko's disbelief:

Junko: Records from that era show that aurochs were very hard to hunt. This suggests that factors other than hunting might have played a significant role in their extinction, weakening the argument that hunting alone did not cause their extinction.
User avatar
Gp111
User avatar
Joined: 22 May 2023
Last visit: 24 Feb 2025
Posts: 23
Own Kudos:
35
Given Kudos: 1
Location: India
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship
Schools: ISB '25 (D) INSEAD Jan'25 intake Said '27 Judge '26 INSEAD '26 HEC '26 IMD'26
GMAT Focus 1: 655 Q85 V81 DI81
GPA: 8.05
Schools: ISB '25 (D) INSEAD Jan'25 intake Said '27 Judge '26 INSEAD '26 HEC '26 IMD'26
GMAT Focus 1: 655 Q85 V81 DI81
Posts: 23
Kudos: 35
GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 5): ­Janet: The wild auroch was a species 13 Jul 2024, 06:31
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
­Janet: The wild auroch was a species of large wild cattle whose last known herd went extinct in Eastern Europe in the first half of the 1600s. As the records of the period show that their extinction occurred during a period of stagnation in local population growth, it is unlikely that they were hunted to extinction or died due to habitat displacement. Something else must have led to the auroch’s extinction, and the best candidate is rinderpest – a disease inadvertently introduced into the auroch’s ecosystem through the import of domesticated cattle from Asia.

Junko: That argument is unlikely to convince scholars on its own. Can you cite any other evidence in its favor?

Select Janet for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Janet’s assertion, and select Junko for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s assertions. Make only two selections, one in each column.
 
Show more
For Janet:
1. The aurochs in Eastern Europe went extinct during a time period wherein trade between Asia and Eastern Europe was weaker than it had been during earlier periods wherein they thrived
This doesn't directly support the disease theory and could weaken Janet's argument
2. Most historians agree that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s
This weakens Janet's argument, as you pointed out
3. Roughly half a dozen other species of cattle went extinct alongside the auroch
This could suggest a common cause like disease, potentially supporting Janet's argument about rinderpest
4. Records from that era show that aurochs were very hard to hunt
This supports the idea that hunting was not the main cause of extinction, indirectly supporting Janet
5. Several wild animals larger than the aurochs also went extinct during the 1600s
This is too general and doesn't specifically support Janet's disease theory
---------------------------------------------------------------------------​​​​​​​---------------​​​​​​​---------------​​​​​​​---------------​​​​​​​---------------​​​​​​​---------------​​​​​​​---------------​​​​​​​---------------​​​​​​​-----
For Junko:
1. The aurochs in Eastern Europe went extinct during a time period wherein trade between Asia and Eastern Europe was weaker than it had been during earlier periods wherein they thrived.
This could weaken Janet's argument by suggesting limited interaction with Asia, supporting Junko.
2. Most historians agree that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s.
This weakens Janet's argument, supporting Junko.
3. Roughly half a dozen other species of cattle went extinct alongside the auroch.
This could support the idea of a common cause like disease but isn't specific to Junko's skepticism.
4. Records from that era show that aurochs were very hard to hunt.
This supports Janet, not Junko.
5. Several wild animals larger than the aurochs also went extinct during the 1600s.
This could suggest a broader environmental factor rather than a specific disease, supporting Junko's skepticism.
---------------------------------------------​​​​​​​---------------​​​​​​​---------------​​​​​​​---------------​​​​​​​---------------​​​​​​​---------------​​​​​​​---------------​​​​​​​---------------​​​​​​​---------------​​​​​​​---------------​​​​​​​-----​​​​​​​
Correct Selection:

For Janet: "Roughly half a dozen other species of cattle went extinct alongside the auroch."
- This suggests a common cause like disease, potentially supporting Janet's argument about rinderpest.

For Junko: "Most historians agree that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s."
- This weakens Janet's argument by suggesting the cattle were introduced after the aurochs went extinct, supporting Junko's skepticism.­
User avatar
RenB
User avatar
Joined: 13 Jul 2022
Last visit: 14 Nov 2025
Posts: 391
Own Kudos:
1,361
 [1]
Given Kudos: 303
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Nonprofit
Schools: Stanford '26 Wharton  '26 (D) Kellogg '26 (II) Booth '26 (D) Yale '26 (S) CBS '26 (II) Darden '26 (S) HBS '26 (D) Ross '26 (II) LBS '26 (D) Tuck '26 (II)
GMAT Focus 1: 715 Q90 V84 DI82
GPA: 3.74
WE:Corporate Finance (Consulting)
Schools: Stanford '26 Wharton  '26 (D) Kellogg '26 (II) Booth '26 (D) Yale '26 (S) CBS '26 (II) Darden '26 (S) HBS '26 (D) Ross '26 (II) LBS '26 (D) Tuck '26 (II)
GMAT Focus 1: 715 Q90 V84 DI82
Posts: 391
Kudos: 1,361
 [1]
GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 5): ­Janet: The wild auroch was a species 13 Jul 2024, 06:51
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
­Janet: The wild auroch was a species of large wild cattle whose last known herd went extinct in Eastern Europe in the first half of the 1600s. As the records of the period show that their extinction occurred during a period of stagnation in local population growth, it is unlikely that they were hunted to extinction or died due to habitat displacement. Something else must have led to the auroch’s extinction, and the best candidate is rinderpest – a disease inadvertently introduced into the auroch’s ecosystem through the import of domesticated cattle from Asia.

Junko: That argument is unlikely to convince scholars on its own. Can you cite any other evidence in its favor?

Select Janet for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Janet’s assertion, and select Junko for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s assertions. Make only two selections, one in each column.

­
 


This question was provided by Experts' Global
for the GMAT Olympics 2024

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Admissions Consulting, and more

 

­
­
Show more
­
Attachments

WhatsApp Image 2024-07-13 at 7.21.21 PM.jpeg
WhatsApp Image 2024-07-13 at 7.21.21 PM.jpeg [ 124.23 KiB | Viewed 828 times ]

User avatar
Milkyway_28
User avatar
Joined: 23 May 2024
Last visit: 19 Apr 2025
Posts: 50
Own Kudos:
56
Given Kudos: 71
Location: Kazakhstan
Posts: 50
Kudos: 56
GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 5): ­Janet: The wild auroch was a species 13 Jul 2024, 07:08
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
We are looking for answer choices that strenghten the positions of two different viewpoints. 

Janet states that "it is unlikely that they were hunted to extinction or died due to habitat displacement" therefore the answer choice "Records from that era show that aurochs were very hard to hunt." would only add to her statement that the cause of the auroch's extinction was due to something else, in this case the rinderpest.

Junko claims that Janet's argument does not have much validity. Janet's claim that Aurochs went extinct to the rinderpest is based on the assumption that the disease was introduced through the import of domesticated caattle from Asia. She claims that teh aurochs went extinct in the first half of the 1600s however, the answer choice

"Most historians agree that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s." 

would refute that since it occurs after they allegedly went extinct. 

So these are the two answer choices.
Bunuel
­Janet: The wild auroch was a species of large wild cattle whose last known herd went extinct in Eastern Europe in the first half of the 1600s. As the records of the period show that their extinction occurred during a period of stagnation in local population growth, it is unlikely that they were hunted to extinction or died due to habitat displacement. Something else must have led to the auroch’s extinction, and the best candidate is rinderpest – a disease inadvertently introduced into the auroch’s ecosystem through the import of domesticated cattle from Asia.

Junko: That argument is unlikely to convince scholars on its own. Can you cite any other evidence in its favor?

Select Janet for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Janet’s assertion, and select Junko for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s assertions. Make only two selections, one in each column.

­
 


This question was provided by Experts' Global
for the GMAT Olympics 2024

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Admissions Consulting, and more

 

­
­
Show more
­
User avatar
VivekSri
User avatar
Joined: 01 May 2022
Last visit: 17 Nov 2025
Posts: 468
Own Kudos:
721
Given Kudos: 117
Location: India
WE:Engineering (Consulting)
Posts: 468
Kudos: 721
GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 5): ­Janet: The wild auroch was a species 13 Jul 2024, 11:51
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
 
Bunuel

Bunuel
­Janet: The wild auroch was a species of large wild cattle whose last known herd went extinct in Eastern Europe in the first half of the 1600s. As the records of the period show that their extinction occurred during a period of stagnation in local population growth, it is unlikely that they were hunted to extinction or died due to habitat displacement. Something else must have led to the auroch’s extinction, and the best candidate is rinderpest – a disease inadvertently introduced into the auroch’s ecosystem through the import of domesticated cattle from Asia.

Junko: That argument is unlikely to convince scholars on its own. Can you cite any other evidence in its favor?

Select Janet for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Janet’s assertion, and select Junko for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s assertions. Make only two selections, one in each column.

­
 


This question was provided by Experts' Global
for the GMAT Olympics 2024

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Admissions Consulting, and more

 

­
­
­Experts' Global Explanation:
­
A.
Janet’s argument is that the auroch went extinct in Eastern Europe during a time when the human population of the region had stagnated, so the cause of the extinction was likely rinderpest – a disease inadvertently introduced into the auroch’s ecosystem through the import of domesticated cattle from Asia – rather than hunting or habitat loss. If the given statement were true, the number of cattle imported from Asia to Eastern Europe would likely have fallen, decreasing the likelihood of rinderpest transmission, meaning the statement weakens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the relative strength of trade between Asia and Eastern Europe at the time of the auroch’s extinction is not information that strengthens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the relative strength of trade between Asia and Eastern Europe at the time of the auroch’s extinction is information that strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s argument.

B.
Janet’s argument is that the auroch went extinct in Eastern Europe during a time when the human population of the region had stagnated, so the cause of the extinction was likely rinderpest – a disease inadvertently introduced into the auroch’s ecosystem through the import of domesticated cattle from Asia – rather than hunting or habitat loss. According to Janet’s argument, the auroch went extinct in the first half of the 1600s; if domesticated cattle were not imported to Eastern Europe until the late 1600s, these cattle could not have transmitted rinderpest to the auroch meaning the statement completely undermines Janet’s conclusion.

Thus, the fact that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s is not information that strengthens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the fact that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s is information that greatly strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s argument.

Hence, B is the best answer choice for the column “Junko”.

C.
Janet’s argument makes no mention of other extinctions that took place at the same time as the auroch’s, so other species of cattle going extinct is irrelevant to the argument.

Thus, the fact that half a dozen other species of cattle went extinct alongside the auroch is not information that strengthens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the fact that half a dozen other species of cattle went extinct alongside the auroch is not information that strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s argument.

D.
Janet’s argument is that the auroch went extinct in Eastern Europe during a time when the human population of the region had stagnated, so the cause of the extinction was likely rinderpest rather than hunting or habitat loss. If records show that aurochs were difficult to hunt, then Janet’s claim that hunting was not one of the causes of the extinction is bolstered.

Thus, the fact that aurochs were difficult to hunt is information that strengthens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the fact that aurochs were difficult to hunt is information that strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s argument.

Hence, D is the correct answer choice for the column “Janet”.

E.
Janet’s argument makes no mention of other extinctions that took place at the same time as the auroch’s, so other species of wild animals going extinct is irrelevant to the argument.

Thus, the fact that wild animals larger than the aurochs also went extinct during the 1600s is not information that strengthens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the fact that wild animals larger than the aurochs also went extinct during the 1600s is not information that strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s argument.

__________________________________

Hence, D is the correct answer choice for the column “Janet”, and B is the best answer choice for the column “Junko”.

Interesting discussion: A student once wrote to us, asking how to tell whether A or B is the best answer choice for the “Junko” column, as both weaken Janet’s argument. Can you see what the student missed? A states that trade between Asia was weaker than it had been, making it less likely, that a disease from Asia could have been transmitted to Eastern Europe. Whereas, B states that the Asian cattle, and thus the rinderpest, did not reach Eastern Europe, until the auroch had gone extinct, making it impossible for rinderpest to have caused the extinction.

­
Show more
­Hi Bunuel I am not statisfied with the information that strengthens Janet’s argument.

Please find my below points :

aurochs were difficult to hunt is only one point of the passage not the whole. In passage it is also written about habitat displacement. So we need strengthen either both the point or we have to come a point which can show there is outbreak of disease of cattle. So, other species of cattle going extinct is relevant to the argument.

Why ?

It will show there is indeed widspread disease of cattle. This is strengtheing Janet argument.

Kindly let me know where I am wrong.

Thanks,
Vivek
User avatar
andreagonzalez2k
User avatar
Joined: 15 Feb 2021
Last visit: 26 Jul 2025
Posts: 308
Own Kudos:
497
Given Kudos: 14
Posts: 308
Kudos: 497
GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 5): ­Janet: The wild auroch was a species 13 Jul 2024, 12:40
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
VivekPrateek

Bunuel

Bunuel
­Janet: The wild auroch was a species of large wild cattle whose last known herd went extinct in Eastern Europe in the first half of the 1600s. As the records of the period show that their extinction occurred during a period of stagnation in local population growth, it is unlikely that they were hunted to extinction or died due to habitat displacement. Something else must have led to the auroch’s extinction, and the best candidate is rinderpest – a disease inadvertently introduced into the auroch’s ecosystem through the import of domesticated cattle from Asia.

Junko: That argument is unlikely to convince scholars on its own. Can you cite any other evidence in its favor?

Select Janet for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Janet’s assertion, and select Junko for the statement that, if true, best strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s assertions. Make only two selections, one in each column.

­
 


This question was provided by Experts' Global
for the GMAT Olympics 2024

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Admissions Consulting, and more

 

­
­
­Experts' Global Explanation:
­
A.
Janet’s argument is that the auroch went extinct in Eastern Europe during a time when the human population of the region had stagnated, so the cause of the extinction was likely rinderpest – a disease inadvertently introduced into the auroch’s ecosystem through the import of domesticated cattle from Asia – rather than hunting or habitat loss. If the given statement were true, the number of cattle imported from Asia to Eastern Europe would likely have fallen, decreasing the likelihood of rinderpest transmission, meaning the statement weakens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the relative strength of trade between Asia and Eastern Europe at the time of the auroch’s extinction is not information that strengthens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the relative strength of trade between Asia and Eastern Europe at the time of the auroch’s extinction is information that strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s argument.

B.
Janet’s argument is that the auroch went extinct in Eastern Europe during a time when the human population of the region had stagnated, so the cause of the extinction was likely rinderpest – a disease inadvertently introduced into the auroch’s ecosystem through the import of domesticated cattle from Asia – rather than hunting or habitat loss. According to Janet’s argument, the auroch went extinct in the first half of the 1600s; if domesticated cattle were not imported to Eastern Europe until the late 1600s, these cattle could not have transmitted rinderpest to the auroch meaning the statement completely undermines Janet’s conclusion.

Thus, the fact that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s is not information that strengthens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the fact that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s is information that greatly strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s argument.

Hence, B is the best answer choice for the column “Junko”.

C.
Janet’s argument makes no mention of other extinctions that took place at the same time as the auroch’s, so other species of cattle going extinct is irrelevant to the argument.

Thus, the fact that half a dozen other species of cattle went extinct alongside the auroch is not information that strengthens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the fact that half a dozen other species of cattle went extinct alongside the auroch is not information that strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s argument.

D.
Janet’s argument is that the auroch went extinct in Eastern Europe during a time when the human population of the region had stagnated, so the cause of the extinction was likely rinderpest rather than hunting or habitat loss. If records show that aurochs were difficult to hunt, then Janet’s claim that hunting was not one of the causes of the extinction is bolstered.

Thus, the fact that aurochs were difficult to hunt is information that strengthens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the fact that aurochs were difficult to hunt is information that strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s argument.

Hence, D is the correct answer choice for the column “Janet”.

E.
Janet’s argument makes no mention of other extinctions that took place at the same time as the auroch’s, so other species of wild animals going extinct is irrelevant to the argument.

Thus, the fact that wild animals larger than the aurochs also went extinct during the 1600s is not information that strengthens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the fact that wild animals larger than the aurochs also went extinct during the 1600s is not information that strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s argument.

__________________________________

Hence, D is the correct answer choice for the column “Janet”, and B is the best answer choice for the column “Junko”.

Interesting discussion: A student once wrote to us, asking how to tell whether A or B is the best answer choice for the “Junko” column, as both weaken Janet’s argument. Can you see what the student missed? A states that trade between Asia was weaker than it had been, making it less likely, that a disease from Asia could have been transmitted to Eastern Europe. Whereas, B states that the Asian cattle, and thus the rinderpest, did not reach Eastern Europe, until the auroch had gone extinct, making it impossible for rinderpest to have caused the extinction.

­
­Hi Bunuel I am not statisfied with the information that strengthens Janet’s argument.

Please find my below points :

aurochs were difficult to hunt is only one point of the passage not the whole. In passage it is also written about habitat displacement. So we need strengthen either both the point or we have to come a point which can show there is outbreak of disease of cattle. So, other species of cattle going extinct is relevant to the argument.

Why ?

It will show there is indeed widspread disease of cattle. This is strengtheing Janet argument.

Kindly let me know where I am wrong.

Thanks,
Vivek
Show more
­I agree with you. And I put that same argument in my explanation...
User avatar
manish8242
User avatar
Joined: 07 Jul 2025
Last visit: 06 Nov 2025
Posts: 48
Posts: 48
Kudos: 0
GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 5): ­Janet: The wild auroch was a species 10 Oct 2025, 00:43
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hunting is just one of the option. It may have occurred due to displacement of habitat ... in that case even though 'Hunting' was difficult , they changed their habitat. So it strengthens only one part and leaves vulnerable other part. It can't strengthen the Janets argument
Bunuel

­Experts' Global Explanation:
­
A.
Janet’s argument is that the auroch went extinct in Eastern Europe during a time when the human population of the region had stagnated, so the cause of the extinction was likely rinderpest – a disease inadvertently introduced into the auroch’s ecosystem through the import of domesticated cattle from Asia – rather than hunting or habitat loss. If the given statement were true, the number of cattle imported from Asia to Eastern Europe would likely have fallen, decreasing the likelihood of rinderpest transmission, meaning the statement weakens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the relative strength of trade between Asia and Eastern Europe at the time of the auroch’s extinction is not information that strengthens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the relative strength of trade between Asia and Eastern Europe at the time of the auroch’s extinction is information that strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s argument.

B.
Janet’s argument is that the auroch went extinct in Eastern Europe during a time when the human population of the region had stagnated, so the cause of the extinction was likely rinderpest – a disease inadvertently introduced into the auroch’s ecosystem through the import of domesticated cattle from Asia – rather than hunting or habitat loss. According to Janet’s argument, the auroch went extinct in the first half of the 1600s; if domesticated cattle were not imported to Eastern Europe until the late 1600s, these cattle could not have transmitted rinderpest to the auroch meaning the statement completely undermines Janet’s conclusion.

Thus, the fact that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s is not information that strengthens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the fact that Asian domesticated cattle were first imported to Eastern Europe in the late 1600s is information that greatly strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s argument.

Hence, B is the best answer choice for the column “Junko”.

C.
Janet’s argument makes no mention of other extinctions that took place at the same time as the auroch’s, so other species of cattle going extinct is irrelevant to the argument.

Thus, the fact that half a dozen other species of cattle went extinct alongside the auroch is not information that strengthens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the fact that half a dozen other species of cattle went extinct alongside the auroch is not information that strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s argument.

D.
Janet’s argument is that the auroch went extinct in Eastern Europe during a time when the human population of the region had stagnated, so the cause of the extinction was likely rinderpest rather than hunting or habitat loss. If records show that aurochs were difficult to hunt, then Janet’s claim that hunting was not one of the causes of the extinction is bolstered.

Thus, the fact that aurochs were difficult to hunt is information that strengthens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the fact that aurochs were difficult to hunt is information that strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s argument.

Hence, D is the correct answer choice for the column “Janet”.

E.
Janet’s argument makes no mention of other extinctions that took place at the same time as the auroch’s, so other species of wild animals going extinct is irrelevant to the argument.

Thus, the fact that wild animals larger than the aurochs also went extinct during the 1600s is not information that strengthens Janet’s argument.

Thus, the fact that wild animals larger than the aurochs also went extinct during the 1600s is not information that strengthens Junko’s disbelief regarding Janet’s argument.

__________________________________

Hence, D is the correct answer choice for the column “Janet”, and B is the best answer choice for the column “Junko”.

Interesting discussion: A student once wrote to us, asking how to tell whether A or B is the best answer choice for the “Junko” column, as both weaken Janet’s argument. Can you see what the student missed? A states that trade between Asia was weaker than it had been, making it less likely, that a disease from Asia could have been transmitted to Eastern Europe. Whereas, B states that the Asian cattle, and thus the rinderpest, did not reach Eastern Europe, until the auroch had gone extinct, making it impossible for rinderpest to have caused the extinction.

­
Show more
   1   2   3   4 
Moderators:
Bunuel
Math Expert
105355 posts
kingbucky
496 posts