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Bunuel
Not 100% sure but i selected (D). From what i understood, the question talks about a type of sampling flaw. As the chess program is leading to increase in ESM exam scores for the participants, the argument is suggesting making it mandatory for all high school students to participate in the program. This type of flaw is indicated by Statement (D) while the others are:
1. (A) - This statement only talks about one bank and has no comparison with a larger sample (eg. all banks). Hence we can exclude A
2. (B)- At first read, I was inclined for this option. However I believe the last sentence changes the overall statement flaw. for a sampling flaw it would have been like - " all tech startups are mandated to secure venture funding in the 1st year". Hence we can exclude B
3. (C)- I feel C talks about 2 different samples- organic farming and commercial farming. Not much is there to indicate which one is the larger/ smaller sample. Hence we exclude C
4. (D) - Here the government is mandating ALL CITIZENS to annually participate in a marathon only because ADULTS doing so have lower heart risk. A conclusion is being made of a larger sample (ALL CITIZENS) based on an observation of a smaller sample (ADULTS). Hence i selected D
5. (E)- This statement is acting like the opposite, and prohibiting students from enrolling in calculus if they have not taken pre-calculus based on the teaching practices. Don't see any sampling flaw hence can exclude E
Vijendra.D
Joined: 12 Jun 2024
Last visit: 13 Aug 2026
Posts: 27
GMAT Focus 1: 575 Q81 V81 DI74 
GMAT Focus 2: 615 Q85 V78 DI78
GMAT Focus 2: 615 Q85 V78 DI78
Posts: 27
Strategy: In such question types We should match ideas not words.
Recent studies result
Extra curricular activity helped in the exam. Exam is important. So it is necessary to participate in a extra curricular activity.
Now we directly jump to answer choice elimination process
(A) Financial Regulator: Any bank in our country that handles international wire transfers on behalf of their clients must comply with regulations mandating strict data encryption protocols. Meridian National Bank does not currently have the technical ability to encrypt customer data during wire transfers. Therefore, Meridian National Bank cannot legally provide international wire transfers to their customers.
Answer choice A talks about the opposite situation. It tells us about the scenario of what happens when we do not take part in a specific activity. So the idea is reversed. Eliminate
(B) Tech Journalist: Industry surveys indicate that tech startups that secure venture capital funding within their first year have significantly higher survival rates than startups that do not secure funding in their first year. High survival rates are vital to maintaining a robust innovation sector and driving job growth. Therefore, any tech startup that secures venture capital funding in its first year is very likely to survive.
Answer choice B is in-line with the first two ideas of the stimulus, but the thought changes in conclusion sentence, it talks about the probability to increase the survival rate. So Eliminate.
(C) Agricultural Advisor: A recent agricultural study found no evidence of crop failure among organic farms that utilized a new predatory wasp species for pest control. Eliminating crop failure is vital to stabilizing food prices and ensuring national food security. Therefore, commercial farming operations can completely eliminate the risk of crop failure by adopting this pest control method.
Stimulus conclusion talks about mandatory participation in an activity and answer choice C conclusion talks about elimination of risks and NOT about mandatory participation.
(D) Physician: National health data indicates that adults who run in at least one marathon per year have significantly lower rates of heart disease than those who do not. Reducing heart disease is vital because it is a leading cause of death, and its treatment places a massive burden on the healthcare system. Therefore, the government should require all citizens to annually participate in a marathon.
Answer choice D talks about an extra curricular activity: marathon, benefits of marathon is given. That extra activity is necessary to perform, it is the exact idea from the stimulus. EXACT SAME IDEA.
(E) Vice Principal: At our school, students who want to enroll in calculus must first take pre-calculus, because the principles taught in pre-calculus help prepare students for the more advanced topics taught in calculus. Therefore, any student who has not taken pre-calculus, here or elsewhere, will not be permitted to enroll in calculus.
Answer choice E talks about an additional precondition which is not discussed in the stimulus. ELIMINATE
Therefore D is the correct answer
Recent studies result
Extra curricular activity helped in the exam. Exam is important. So it is necessary to participate in a extra curricular activity.
Now we directly jump to answer choice elimination process
(A) Financial Regulator: Any bank in our country that handles international wire transfers on behalf of their clients must comply with regulations mandating strict data encryption protocols. Meridian National Bank does not currently have the technical ability to encrypt customer data during wire transfers. Therefore, Meridian National Bank cannot legally provide international wire transfers to their customers.
Answer choice A talks about the opposite situation. It tells us about the scenario of what happens when we do not take part in a specific activity. So the idea is reversed. Eliminate
(B) Tech Journalist: Industry surveys indicate that tech startups that secure venture capital funding within their first year have significantly higher survival rates than startups that do not secure funding in their first year. High survival rates are vital to maintaining a robust innovation sector and driving job growth. Therefore, any tech startup that secures venture capital funding in its first year is very likely to survive.
Answer choice B is in-line with the first two ideas of the stimulus, but the thought changes in conclusion sentence, it talks about the probability to increase the survival rate. So Eliminate.
(C) Agricultural Advisor: A recent agricultural study found no evidence of crop failure among organic farms that utilized a new predatory wasp species for pest control. Eliminating crop failure is vital to stabilizing food prices and ensuring national food security. Therefore, commercial farming operations can completely eliminate the risk of crop failure by adopting this pest control method.
Stimulus conclusion talks about mandatory participation in an activity and answer choice C conclusion talks about elimination of risks and NOT about mandatory participation.
(D) Physician: National health data indicates that adults who run in at least one marathon per year have significantly lower rates of heart disease than those who do not. Reducing heart disease is vital because it is a leading cause of death, and its treatment places a massive burden on the healthcare system. Therefore, the government should require all citizens to annually participate in a marathon.
Answer choice D talks about an extra curricular activity: marathon, benefits of marathon is given. That extra activity is necessary to perform, it is the exact idea from the stimulus. EXACT SAME IDEA.
(E) Vice Principal: At our school, students who want to enroll in calculus must first take pre-calculus, because the principles taught in pre-calculus help prepare students for the more advanced topics taught in calculus. Therefore, any student who has not taken pre-calculus, here or elsewhere, will not be permitted to enroll in calculus.
Answer choice E talks about an additional precondition which is not discussed in the stimulus. ELIMINATE
Therefore D is the correct answer
The flaw is participation in chess has been considered as the cause for success in the exam. However, the events occuring at the same time may not be causually related.
(A) Financial Regulator: Any bank in our country that handles international wire transfers on behalf of their clients must comply with regulations mandating strict data encryption protocols. Meridian National Bank does not currently have the technical ability to encrypt customer data during wire transfers. Therefore, Meridian National Bank cannot legally provide international wire transfers to their customers. Valid reasoning
(B) Tech Journalist: Industry surveys indicate that tech startups that secure venture capital funding within their first year have significantly higher survival rates than startups that do not secure funding in their first year. High survival rates are vital to maintaining a robust innovation sector and driving job growth. Therefore, any tech startup that secures venture capital funding in its first year is very likely to survive. Excepations can be there
(C) Agricultural Advisor: A recent agricultural study found no evidence of crop failure among organic farms that utilized a new predatory wasp species for pest control. Eliminating crop failure is vital to stabilizing food prices and ensuring national food security. Therefore, commercial farming operations can completely eliminate the risk of crop failure by adopting this pest control method. Valid reasoning
(D) Physician: National health data indicates that adults who run in at least one marathon per year have significantly lower rates of heart disease than those who do not. Reducing heart disease is vital because it is a leading cause of death, and its treatment places a massive burden on the healthcare system. Therefore, the government should require all citizens to annually participate in a marathon. Correct. May be marathon participants are physically fit by diet, and hence no heart disease. Heart disease may not b less bcoz of maraton
(E) Vice Principal: At our school, students who want to enroll in calculus must first take pre-calculus, because the principles taught in pre-calculus help prepare students for the more advanced topics taught in calculus. Therefore, any student who has not taken pre-calculus, here or elsewhere, will not be permitted to enroll in calculus.valid reasoning
Ans D
(A) Financial Regulator: Any bank in our country that handles international wire transfers on behalf of their clients must comply with regulations mandating strict data encryption protocols. Meridian National Bank does not currently have the technical ability to encrypt customer data during wire transfers. Therefore, Meridian National Bank cannot legally provide international wire transfers to their customers. Valid reasoning
(B) Tech Journalist: Industry surveys indicate that tech startups that secure venture capital funding within their first year have significantly higher survival rates than startups that do not secure funding in their first year. High survival rates are vital to maintaining a robust innovation sector and driving job growth. Therefore, any tech startup that secures venture capital funding in its first year is very likely to survive. Excepations can be there
(C) Agricultural Advisor: A recent agricultural study found no evidence of crop failure among organic farms that utilized a new predatory wasp species for pest control. Eliminating crop failure is vital to stabilizing food prices and ensuring national food security. Therefore, commercial farming operations can completely eliminate the risk of crop failure by adopting this pest control method. Valid reasoning
(D) Physician: National health data indicates that adults who run in at least one marathon per year have significantly lower rates of heart disease than those who do not. Reducing heart disease is vital because it is a leading cause of death, and its treatment places a massive burden on the healthcare system. Therefore, the government should require all citizens to annually participate in a marathon. Correct. May be marathon participants are physically fit by diet, and hence no heart disease. Heart disease may not b less bcoz of maraton
(E) Vice Principal: At our school, students who want to enroll in calculus must first take pre-calculus, because the principles taught in pre-calculus help prepare students for the more advanced topics taught in calculus. Therefore, any student who has not taken pre-calculus, here or elsewhere, will not be permitted to enroll in calculus.valid reasoning
Ans D
Passage Analysis:
+ve correlation b/w participation in chess & higher score in ESM.
Line of reasoning,
ESM is vital for few imp things.
Therefore, district should mandate chess .
Ans choice analysis:
A.Talks about can or can not provide legally wire transfer. Where in the passage, it talks about improvement. It also does not talk how to make the situation better, not if it can or can not.
B.This option talks about prediction. Whereas the passage does not predict anything, kind of hopes for improvement just seeing the correlation.
C.This talks about how to completely eliminate the risk based on one correlation. But the passage does not say any thing about complete elimination. It suggests improvement.
D. This answer entirely captures the sentiment. This is the correct answer.
E. This also talks about whether people are permitted But the passage talks about mandating chess. So that improvement may happen.
+ve correlation b/w participation in chess & higher score in ESM.
Line of reasoning,
ESM is vital for few imp things.
Therefore, district should mandate chess .
Ans choice analysis:
A.Talks about can or can not provide legally wire transfer. Where in the passage, it talks about improvement. It also does not talk how to make the situation better, not if it can or can not.
B.This option talks about prediction. Whereas the passage does not predict anything, kind of hopes for improvement just seeing the correlation.
C.This talks about how to completely eliminate the risk based on one correlation. But the passage does not say any thing about complete elimination. It suggests improvement.
D. This answer entirely captures the sentiment. This is the correct answer.
E. This also talks about whether people are permitted But the passage talks about mandating chess. So that improvement may happen.
Bunuel
Posts: 227
I could match the option D physician running is based on same logic or matching pattern so I go with option D. Thanks
Bunuel
D. Its not participation in chess that leads to higher performance in school/ subject. Similarly, Its not those who participate in marathon have lower risk of heart attack. May be all the other choices they also make are healthy.
CHESS .....better in ESM....increase the competitiveness of our graduates in the JOB MARKET.....So All should play CHESS.
Between option B and D..
B. 1st YR VC FUNCING......better SURVIVAL..... JOB GROWTH... so startup with 1st yearr vc funding will likely SURVIVE..
D. 1 MARATHON.....lower HEART ISSUE....BURDEN ON HEALTH CARE SYSYTEM.... so all should hav 1MARATHON...
Between option B and D..
B. 1st YR VC FUNCING......better SURVIVAL..... JOB GROWTH... so startup with 1st yearr vc funding will likely SURVIVE..
D. 1 MARATHON.....lower HEART ISSUE....BURDEN ON HEALTH CARE SYSYTEM.... so all should hav 1MARATHON...
Posts: 38
Answer is option (D). We are looking for a flaw in this argument similar to the one in the question stem.
The question stem provides a cause and effect type of question wherein the cause is not directly linked to the effect plead. Option D provides that those who run in Marathons and those that have less chances of heart disease may be related. However, this relation is proximate and not direct. As such, there is no direct link between the incidence of heart disease and those people that run a marathon. The rest of the options provide direct cause and effects and thus they can be eliminated.
The question stem provides a cause and effect type of question wherein the cause is not directly linked to the effect plead. Option D provides that those who run in Marathons and those that have less chances of heart disease may be related. However, this relation is proximate and not direct. As such, there is no direct link between the incidence of heart disease and those people that run a marathon. The rest of the options provide direct cause and effects and thus they can be eliminated.
Posts: 22
The format of the argument is:
A (chess participants) leads to B (higher ESM score) in which B is so important bcs of blah blah --> We should promote A
Option A -> doesnt promote anything
Option B -> A goes back to A, reconfirming the statement again without saying we have to promote A
Option C -> Has A and B but no actions to promote A
Option D -> Matches the format -> Choose D
Option E -> doesnt promote
A (chess participants) leads to B (higher ESM score) in which B is so important bcs of blah blah --> We should promote A
Option A -> doesnt promote anything
Option B -> A goes back to A, reconfirming the statement again without saying we have to promote A
Option C -> Has A and B but no actions to promote A
Option D -> Matches the format -> Choose D
Option E -> doesnt promote
Bunuel
A. Incorrect as it is just a rule. We dont see any corelation vs causation here and no forced mandate
B. Incorrect as it doesent mandate a rule that forces every startup to get funding
C. Incorrect as it doesent have the same reasoning or doesent have the same mandate as in the passage
D. Correct as it has the same flaw
E. Incorrect as there is no causal flaw. It is just a school pre requisite rule
D.
B. Incorrect as it doesent mandate a rule that forces every startup to get funding
C. Incorrect as it doesent have the same reasoning or doesent have the same mandate as in the passage
D. Correct as it has the same flaw
E. Incorrect as there is no causal flaw. It is just a school pre requisite rule
D.
In Similar reasoning, if it is an easier level, look to match the conclusion first. In this huge stimulus, the conclusion is about a mandate, which is a must-action to perform.
The Structure of the argument is as follows: If a participant partcipates after school chess program, then their performance in the ESM exam is correlated to its particpation in the program, which is vital to retain public support and increase competitiveness; hence, a district mandate for participation.
Let's match the reasoning one by one,
(A) In this, there is no correlation between any variables; eliminate.
(B)In this structure, there is a correlation between two variables, funding and survival rate, but after that there is no mandate or must action in the conclusion. Eliminate
(C) Again, there is no strict follow-up conclusion as in the stimulus. Eliminate
(D) It not only shows the correlation between two variables, but marathon and lower rates of heart disease, and lower rates of heart disease correlates with further variable and strict mandate action is suggested which is the same as the stimulus.
(E) No correlation between two variables; hence eliminate and completely different argument from the stimulus.
Hence D is a short sure answer.
The Structure of the argument is as follows: If a participant partcipates after school chess program, then their performance in the ESM exam is correlated to its particpation in the program, which is vital to retain public support and increase competitiveness; hence, a district mandate for participation.
Let's match the reasoning one by one,
(A) In this, there is no correlation between any variables; eliminate.
(B)In this structure, there is a correlation between two variables, funding and survival rate, but after that there is no mandate or must action in the conclusion. Eliminate
(C) Again, there is no strict follow-up conclusion as in the stimulus. Eliminate
(D) It not only shows the correlation between two variables, but marathon and lower rates of heart disease, and lower rates of heart disease correlates with further variable and strict mandate action is suggested which is the same as the stimulus.
(E) No correlation between two variables; hence eliminate and completely different argument from the stimulus.
Hence D is a short sure answer.
Bunuel
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