GMAT Club World Cup 2022 (DAY 10): Under the rule of King Saif, Qatani

Premise : King Saif, Qatania had been the largest exporter of natural gas, which is used to produce energy worldwide

King Ahmet took over the power to rule Qatania, the gas export has been significantly dropping because of the depletion of existing gas wells and lack of investment in new gas wells. Nevertheless, now King Saif’s son Prince Saif II is taking back the power from King Ahmet.

Conclusion :
Prince Saif II has declared that he would increase investments in developing new gas wells, thereby boosting the gas export of the country.
most significantly raises doubts about the plan of Prince Saif II

A. Prince Saif II gained back power from Prince Ahmet through a coup, making the Prince quite unpopular among the people of Qatania. irrelevant

B. Qatania has a political conflict with the neighboring natural gas exporting countries, who intend to stop all imports from Qatania. irrelevant


C. Qatania does not have enough capital to invest in all the planned new gas wells and investment for some of the new gas wells will come from foriegn companies. irrelevant


D. During the reign of King Ahmet, the population of Qatania has increased significantly, thereby raising the demand of energy in Qatania exorbitantly. correct ; if domestic consumption would increase then export cannot be done as gas wells are also depleting..

E. The old gas wells have not yet been completely depleted and some of them still produce considerable amounts of natural gas does not weaken

OPTION D is correct

Premise:
> Under the rule of King Saif, Qatania had been the largest exporter of natural gas, which is used to produce energy worldwide.
> However, since his brother King Ahmet took over the power to rule Qatania, the gas export has been significantly dropping because of the depletion of existing gas wells and lack of investment in new gas wells.
> Nevertheless, now King Saif’s son Prince Saif II is taking back the power from King Ahmet.

Conclusion/Plan:
Prince Saif II has declared that he would increase investments in developing new gas wells, thereby boosting the gas export of the country

Our job:
To weaken Prince Said II's plan.

Let's analyse options now:


Gaining power through a coup is irrelevant and so is being unpopular among the citizens of Qatania. We are concerned about the gas exports here. Hence, incorrect.


There are natural gas surplus countries, as they are exporters themselves. They won't be importing gas from Qatania, will they? We are only concerned about Qatania's gas exportation for now. Hence, incorrect.

C. Qatania does not have enough capital to invest in all the planned new gas wells and investment for some of the new gas wells will come from foriegn companies.

Even if the exploration of some of the new gas wells is financed by foreign companies, will this not add to Qatania's total gas available for exportation? It will, right? The source of finance is irrelevant. This will still lead to a rise in exports as the main reason for the decline of exports is stated to be the lack of exploration of new wells.


Yes, this gives us another reason why new wells, even if discovered, might not lead to a rise in exportation. The domestic consumption is higher now and the new king shall be busy meeting the domestic requirements and won't be able to export the gas.


This is rather a strengthener. Incorrect.


The correct answer is option D.

Conclusion: When Prince Saif II is in power, the gas export of the country will boost.

A. Prince Saif II gained back power from Prince Ahmet through a coup, making the Prince quite unpopular among the people of Qatania.

Doesn't tell why the gas export won't boost.

B. Qatania has a political conflict with the neighboring natural gas exporting countries, who intend to stop all imports from Qatania.

First of all we dont know whats the contribution in the export. Also, the neighboring countries intend to stop, but they haven't done so yet. We can eliminate this.

C. Qatania does not have enough capital to invest in all the planned new gas wells and investment for some of the new gas wells will come from foriegn companies.

Fine ! How does this weaken the argumet

D. During the reign of King Ahmet, the population of Qatania has increased significantly, thereby raising the demand of energy in Qatania exorbitantly.

This definitely weakens. If the internal consumption has increased the exports will not increase as expected

E. The old gas wells have not yet been completely depleted and some of them still produce considerable amounts of natural gas.

Strengthens the argument.

IMO D

Premise: Qatania had been the largest exporter of natural gas, which is used to produce energy worldwide.
With King Ahmet's rule, the gas export has been significantly dropping because of the depletion of existing gas wells and lack of investment in new gas wells.
Now Prince Saif II would increase investments in developing new gas wells.
Conclusion: There will be a boost to the gas export of the country.

We need to weaken this conclusion - (i.e., statement taht most significantly raises doubts about the plan of Prince Saif II)

A. Prince Saif II gained back power from Prince Ahmet through a coup, making the Prince quite unpopular among the people of Qatania.
--> Incorrect: popularity of Prince Said II does not affect the outcome of investment in new gas wells.

B. Qatania has a political conflict with the neighboring natural gas exporting countries, who intend to stop all imports from Qatania.
--> Incorrect: the neighboring countries are mentioned as gas exporting countries. So it does not seem that they have been importing from Qatania. So with new wells there will still be a boost to export of Qatania.

C. Qatania does not have enough capital to invest in all the planned new gas wells and investment for some of the new gas wells will come from foriegn companies.
--> Incorrect: The conclusion is that there will be a boost to the gas export of the country, whether Qatania has the capital for new gas wells does not affect this conclusion.

D. During the reign of King Ahmet, the population of Qatania has increased significantly, thereby raising the demand of energy in Qatania exorbitantly.
--> Correct: This might not be best possible answer as the demand for energy in Qatania could be met by other means. But this one seems best among given options as it will affect the gas export of Qatania and there might not be a boost to the export.

E. The old gas wells have not yet been completely depleted and some of them still produce considerable amounts of natural gas.
--> Incorrect: This in fact supports the conclusion that Qatania will be able to boost to the gas export of the country.

Prince Saif's (II) Plan: He would increase investments in developing new gas wells, thereby boosting the gas export of the country.

A. Prince Saif II gained back power from Prince Ahmet through a coup, making the Prince quite unpopular among the people of Qatania.
INCORRECT. Whether Prince Saif gained back power through a coup or not is irrelevant to the argument whether his plan will work on not.

B. Qatania has a political conflict with the neighboring natural gas exporting countries, who intend to stop all imports from Qatania.
INCORRECT. Qatania may have a political conflict with the neighboring natural gas exporting countries, who intend to stop all imports from Qatania, but even if that was true, Prince Saif's plan may still work. This does not raise doubt about the plan of Prince Saif.

C. Qatania does not have enough capital to invest in all the planned new gas wells and investment for some of the new gas wells will come from foriegn companies.
INCORRECT. Even if such is the case, Prince Saif can negotiate enough foreign investments for new gas wells to eventually boost exports. So, even if this statement is true, Prince Saif's plan may still work.

D. During the reign of King Ahmet, the population of Qatania has increased significantly, thereby raising the demand of energy in Qatania exorbitantly.
CORRECT. If the population of Qatania has increased significantly and demand of energy in Qatania increased exorbitantly, Prince Saif's plan to increase investments in developing new gas wells, thereby boosting the gas export of the country may not work out, because the excess supplies could all go to the countries increased demand of energy. This raises doubt that Prince Saif's plan will work.

E. The old gas wells have not yet been completely depleted and some of them still produce considerable amounts of natural gas.
INCORRECT Whether old gas wells have not yet been completely depleted and some of them still produce considerable amounts of natural gas is irrelevant to the argument here.

Under the rule of King Saif, Qatania had been the largest exporter of natural gas, which is used to produce energy worldwide.
However, since his brother King Ahmet took over the power to rule Qatania, the gas export has been significantly dropping because of the depletion of existing gas wells and lack of investment in new gas wells.
Nevertheless, now King Saif’s son Prince Saif II is taking back the power from King Ahmet. Prince Saif II has declared that he would increase investments in developing new gas wells, thereby boosting the gas export of the country.

Which of the following options, if true, most significantly raises doubts about the plan of Prince Saif II?

The Prince Saif plan is concerned with boosting the gas export of the country and NOT concerned with his popularity.
Incorrect

The Prince Saif plan is concerned with boosting the gas export of the country and NOT concerned with export to neighboring gas exporting countries only. The statement may have some effect on overalll gas export of the country though.
Incorrect

The Prince Saif plan is concerned with boosting the gas export of the country and NOT concerned with financing of new gas wells. The statement may have some effect on overalll debt burden and profitability of the country.
Incorrect

If the internal demand of energy including gas is increased exorbitantly then there may not be enough gas available for export even if new gas wells are created.
The statement significantly raises doubts about the plan of Prince Saif II
Correct

The Prince Saif plan is concerned with boosting the gas export of the country and NOT concerned with maintaining status quo. To incrase gas exports of the country, new gas wells need to be created.
Incorrect

IMO D

ANSWER D

CONCLUSION: increasing investments in developing new gas wells, will boost the gas export of the country

Premise: since King Ahmet took over the power to rule Qatania, the gas export has been significantly dropping because of the depletion of existing gas wells and lack of investment in new gas wells

A. Prince Saif II gained back power from Prince Ahmet through a coup, making the Prince quite unpopular among the people of Qatania. Who cares? This has nothing to do with natural gas

B. Qatania has a political conflict with the neighboring natural gas exporting countries, who intend to stop all imports from Qatania. This is more of a prediction, neighboring nations INTEND; also since Qatania exports world wide, probably they will export to nations other than the neighboring ones

C. Qatania does not have enough capital to invest in all the planned new gas wells and investment for some of the new gas wells will come from foriegn companies. Who cares where the new gas wells come from, as long long as there are new gas wells

D. During the reign of King Ahmet, the population of Qatania has increased significantly, thereby raising the demand of energy in Qatania exorbitantly. CORRECT, in spite of the new investments if consumption within Qatania is high then that might not boost the exports

E. The old gas wells have not yet been completely depleted and some of them still produce considerable amounts of natural gas. But these are not sufficient to boost the gas export

Answer: D

Under the rule of King Saif, Qatania had been the largest exporter of natural gas, which is used to produce energy worldwide. However, since his brother King Ahmet took over the power to rule Qatania, the gas export has been significantly dropping because of the depletion of existing gas wells and lack of investment in new gas wells. Nevertheless, now King Saif’s son Prince Saif II is taking back the power from King Ahmet. Prince Saif II has declared that he would increase investments in developing new gas wells, thereby boosting the gas export of the country.

Which of the following options, if true, most significantly raises doubts about the plan of Prince Saif II?

A. Prince Saif II gained back power from Prince Ahmet through a coup, making the Prince quite unpopular among the people of Qatania. --> Incorrect. How the power was gained is irrelevant to and out of scope of the argument.

B. Qatania has a political conflict with the neighboring natural gas exporting countries, who intend to stop all imports from Qatania. --> Incorrect. Even if this is true, it can be considered that this was the case during the ruling of earlier reign as well. This has no impact on the plan of Prince Saif II.

C. Qatania does not have enough capital to invest in all the planned new gas wells and investment for some of the new gas wells will come from foriegn companies. --> Incorrect. It doesn't matter from where the investment comes from, be it foreign companies or Oatania, As long as the investments are increased as declared by Prince Saif II.

D. During the reign of King Ahmet, the population of Qatania has increased significantly, thereby raising the demand of energy in Qatania exorbitantly. --> Correct. If the demand of energy in Oatania has raised exorbitantly then this could be the possible reason why during the reign of King Ahmet, the export was dropped. And if the demand of energy keeps on increasing at the same rate, then may be even after investment in new gas wells, the export might not increase. This definitely raises doubt doubts about the plan of Prince Saif II

E. The old gas wells have not yet been completely depleted and some of them still produce considerable amounts of natural gas. --> Incorrect. Plan is to increase investment in developing new gas wells. Whatever considerable amount of gas is produced from old gas wells will only add to the export of the gas.

A. Prince Saif II gained back power from Prince Ahmet through a coup, making the Prince quite unpopular among the people of Qatania.
--Irrelevant

B. Qatania has a political conflict with the neighboring natural gas exporting countries, who intend to stop all imports from Qatania.
--Neighboring countries stopping imports may/may not affect the plans of Prince Saif II. In the argument, "worldwide" is mentioned. It is possible that Qatania can boost exports globally even if neighboring countries stop importing.

C. Qatania does not have enough capital to invest in all the planned new gas wells and investment for some of the new gas wells will come from foreign companies.
--We don't whether the foreign companies' investments will be enough to help boost the exports

D. During the reign of King Ahmet, the population of Qatania has increased significantly, thereby raising the demand of energy in Qatania exorbitantly.
--Price Saif II will not be able to boost exports without meeting the demand of gas in his own country.

E. The old gas wells have not yet been completely depleted and some of them still produce considerable amounts of natural gas.
--180°

Under the rule of King Saif, Qatania had been the largest exporter of natural gas, which is used to produce energy worldwide. However, since his brother King Ahmet took over the power to rule Qatania, the gas export has been significantly dropping because of the depletion of existing gas wells and lack of investment in new gas wells. Nevertheless, now King Saif’s son Prince Saif II is taking back the power from King Ahmet. Prince Saif II has declared that he would increase investments in developing new gas wells, thereby boosting the gas export of the country.

Which of the following options, if true, most significantly raises doubts about the plan of Prince Saif II?

Conclusion pertains to increase in gas exports in consequence to Prince Saif II's plans for increasing investments in developing new gas wells. Raising doubts necessarily means an option which proves that the exports wouldn't be boosted despite increased investments in developing new gas wells.

A. Prince Saif II gained back power from Prince Ahmet through a coup, making the Prince quite unpopular among the people of Qatania.
An irrelevant option..doesn't pertain to increase/decrease in gas exports

B. Qatania has a political conflict with the neighboring natural gas exporting countries, who intend to stop all imports from Qatania.
If the neigboring countries are themselves natural gas exporting countries, then such nations were not purchasing gas from Qatania earlier also..hence it doesn't impact the argument

C. Qatania does not have enough capital to invest in all the planned new gas wells and investment for some of the new gas wells will come from foreign companies.
Though funding is from 'foreign source'. new investments possible..thus boosting gas exports..acts as strengthener, not a weakener (as required)

D. During the reign of King Ahmet, the population of Qatania has increased significantly, thereby raising the demand of energy in Qatania exorbitantly.
Population increase will absorb all additional gas produced consequent to production from new gas wells..in turn, leaving little gas for exports..Gas exports won't be boosted..a clear weakener for the argument presented in the stimulus

E. The old gas wells have not yet been completely depleted and some of them still produce considerable amounts of natural gas.
Conclusion concerned with boost in gas exports owing to production from new gas wells, not the old gas wells..Out of scope

Correct option is (D)

Under rule of King Saif, Qatania was largest exporter of natural gas, which is used to product energy in the entire world. But when his brother Ahmet took over, gas export dropped because of reducing existing gas wells and lack of investment in new gas wells.
But now King Saif's son is coming back and he has declared more investments into new gas well thus increasing the export of the country

His plan is that increased investment into new gas wells will lead to boosting of exports of country. His main intention is boosting export of the country again.
We need to find an option that somehow states how investment into new wells might not lead to significant boosting of exports of the country?

A. Prince Saif II gained back power from Prince Ahmet through a coup, making the Prince quite unpopular among the people of Qatania.
Irrelevant to what we need to determine because Prince Saif being popular or unpopular has no impact or effect on wells and export. ELIMINATE

B. Qatania has a political conflict with the neighboring natural gas exporting countries, who intend to stop all imports from Qatania.
Question stem does not mention only neighboring countries, it mentions largest exporter and worldwide. Also they themselves are exporters so import here means of other materials I think which is irrelevant anyways. ELIMINATE

C. Qatania does not have enough capital to invest in all the planned new gas wells and investment for some of the new gas wells will come from foriegn companies.
Not enough money for all but they will arrange for some via any source. Does not show how plan will not work. Reverse actually, strengthens it a little. ELIMINATE

D. During the reign of King Ahmet, the population of Qatania has increased significantly, thereby raising the demand of energy in Qatania exorbitantly.
Yes! It states that population and thus energy requirement has increased in Qatania itself and so even if increased investments in gas wells do happen, it will be consumed more in Qatania and not be able to boost exports significantly. ANSWER

E. The old gas wells have not yet been completely depleted and some of them still produce considerable amounts of natural gas.
Again, kind of strengthens that if it is already present, export will be boosted even more. ELIMINATE

Answer - D