Modern navigation systems, which are found in most of todays commerci

Question

Modern navigation systems, which are found in most of today’s commercial aircraft, are made with low-power circuitry, which is more susceptible to interference than the vacuum-tube circuitry found in older planes.  During landing, navigation systems receive radio signals from the airport to guide the plane to the runway . Recently, one plane with low-power circuitry veered off course during landing, its dials dimming, when a passenger turned on a laptop computer.  Clearly, modern aircraft navigation systems are being put at risk by the electronic devices that passengers carry on board, such as cassette players and laptop computers .

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a principle that the argument relies on and the second is a conclusion that can be drawn from the first.

(B) The first is a fact that argument relies on and the second is a conclusion that must be drawn from this argument.

(C) The first acknowledges a consideration that supports that main position; the second is that conclusion.

(D) The first is an evidence that supports the conclusion, the second is that conclusion.

(E) The first is a principle that is necessary for this argument, the second is a conclusion that could be drawn from this argument.

Similar Question :  LINK1

This question quality and clarity are highly debatable. You can see that a  Similar Question  was included in the OG, which lead several experts to conclude (debatable but still) that this may have been an experimental question that did not pass the quality control. This question is still valuable and included on the forums for educational purposes as it illustrates a potential question you will face on the exam and since it is experimental it may be imperfect.

I have been trying to understand ways to crack the bold face CRs, but i am finding it tough on various fronts.

1. Couldn't distinguish between words like principle/fact/evidence.. acknowledge/asertain/supports. These are hairline differences and completely puzzled on how to solve this.
2. Couldn't figure out any way to systematically break down the stimulus(except the premise/conclusion) and figure out the right answer choices.

I need some materials or pointers towards that would be great(like page nos. of certain books/links etc) or ways/methods anything that would be helpful to understand how to solve bold faced CR questions besides brute dumb luck

Carcass · Accepted Answer

Hi guy this is tough I admit. the gmat tries to blow you but you have to keep calm and break the problem into chunks. This strategy is from MGMAT CR guide and it works. So, here we are: first of all try to spot the conclusion in the argument ALWAYS. Now, our second bold statement coincides with the conclusion or main idea of the argument, so you can label it as C. The first bold part can be: in favour of the conclusion so you can label it as P (premise that support the author conclusion) or X (a statement that is something else: for instance an example a fact and so on). So here we have a X C combination because the X is something that support conclusion INDIRECTLY in this case and the second bold part is our CONCLUSION. In our answer choices we have to figure out this combo Now, here simple part of our work: A and E are suddenly out because our X is not a principle. B the first is not something on the argument rely on because the opening of a laptop is the problem reason during the land D here we have a evidence or aka PREMISE but we have a X not a P, and also he does not support directly the author conclusion but indirectly C The first acknowledges a consideration that supports that main position; the second is that conclusion. Perfect. We have an X C combo. Answer should be C. Please provide OA. Hope this help

mbaiseasy · Answer

Modern navigation systems, which are found in most of today’s commercial aircraft, are made with low-power circuitry, which is more susceptible to interference than the vacuum-tube circuitry found in older planes.  During landing, navigation systems receive radio signals from the airport to guide the plane to the runway . Recently, one plane with low-power circuitry veered off course during landing, its dials dimming, when a passenger turned on a laptop computer.  Clearly, modern aircraft navigation systems are being put at risk by the electronic devices that passengers carry on board, such as cassette players and laptop computers .

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a principle that the argument relies on and the second is a conclusion that can be drawn from the first. 
  The reliance of navigation system is a fact and NOT a principle. A PRINCIPLE is a rule/law or moral tenet or some other guideline that is a basis of decision... NOT A PRINCIPLE! OUT

(B) The first is a fact that argument relies on and the second is a conclusion that must be drawn from this argument. 
  The first is a FACT indeed BUT it is not what the argument relies on... Try to remove that particular sentence and see if the argument will still hold...

Modern navigation systems, which are found in most of today’s commercial aircraft, are made with low-power circuitry, which is more susceptible to interference than the vacuum-tube circuitry found in older planes.   During landing, navigation systems receive radio signals from the airport to guide the plane to the runway .  Recently, one plane with low-power circuitry veered off course during landing, its dials dimming, when a passenger turned on a laptop computer.  Clearly, modern aircraft navigation systems are being put at risk by the electronic devices that passengers carry on board, such as cassette players and laptop computers .

Argument still works. OUT!

(C) The first acknowledges a consideration that supports that main position; the second is that conclusion.

(D) The first is an evidence that supports the conclusion, the second is that conclusion. 
   This is a fact under consideration. The evidence is not this one but the turning on of the laptop...

(E) The first is a principle that is necessary for this argument, the second is a conclusion that could be drawn from this argument. 
   Like in A, it is NOT A PRINCIPLE

Answer: C

rockstar23 · Answer

Straight E.

Pl note that the question asked is what "least strengthens"(not weaken) the argument. So each of the 4 incorrect answer choices will strengthen the conclusion of the argument.

Conclusion: Modern electronic aircraft navigation system is at risk because of the electronic devices that passengers on board carry.

(A) After the laptop computer was turned off, the plane regained course and its navigation instruments and dials returned to normal.
Strengthens. This clearly strengthens the argument by stating that a laptop might have caused the problem in the navigation instruments and dials. Hence out

(B) When in use all electronic devices emit electromagnetic radiation, which is known to interfere with circuitry.
Strengthens. Clearly implies that all electronic devices will cause problems to the circuitry. Hence out

(C) No problems with navigational equipment or instrument dials have been reported on flights with no passenger-owned electronic devices on board.
Strengthens.Creates a correlation between electronic devices and problems with navigational equipment or instrument dials. Hence out

(D) Significant electromagnetic radiation from portable electronic devices can travel up to eight meters, and some passenger seats on modern aircraft are located within four meters of the navigation systems.
Strengthens. This option again directly mentions that electronic devices within an 8 meter range can harm the navigation systems. Hence out

(E) Planes were first equipped with low-power circuitry at about the same time portable electronic devices became popular.
Does not strengthen. This option ideally does nothing as far as the conclusion is concerned. It neither strengthens nor weakens the argument. Hence correct

Hence E is correct

Hope its clear

Nevernevergiveup · Answer

Modern navigation systems are made with low-power circuitry, which is more susceptible to interference than the vacuum-tube circuitry found in older planes. ................................ more weak 
 During landing, navigation systems receive radio signals from the airport to guide the plane to the runway. .............. general fact or principle 
Recently, one plane with low-power circuitry veered off course during landing when a passenger turned on a laptop computer............ one example of weakness mentioned above 
 Clearly, modern aircraft navigation systems are being put at risk by the electronic devices that passengers carry on board, such as cassette players and laptop computers. ............................ conclusion of the argument

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a principle that the argument relies on and the second is a conclusion that can be drawn from the first. 
 The first is a principle that the argument relies on because if it is negated then conlusion cannot be drawn from the example.
and second is a conclusion but it cannot be drawn from the first.

(B) The first is a fact that argument relies on and the second is a conclusion that must be drawn from this argument. 
 The first is true as above.
second is a conclusion but it need not be  must be drawn  from this argument.
 
(C) The first acknowledges a consideration that supports that main position; the second is that conclusion. 
 The first does not acknowledge a consideration and neither it supports the main position. Second is not that conclusion.

(D) The first is an evidence that supports the conclusion, the second is that conclusion. 
 no true becase of same reasons as in C.

(E) The first is a principle that is necessary for this argument, the second is a conclusion that could be drawn from this argument.
 The first is necessary as counter example and conclusion rely on it and second is a conclusion that can be drawn from the argument.

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION:

The question states that today’s helicopters have modern navigation systems that are susceptible to interference from electronic devices and clearly that is the reason that a helicopter veered off course after a passenger turned on a laptop computer. The second sentence is the conclusion drawn from the first sentence.

Since all of the answers acknowledge that, we must consider the purpose of the first underlined sentence in the passage. (C) describes the first sentence as a consideration that is important to the stated conclusion.

This is the best explanation of the sentence and is the answer. The fact that most modern day helicopters have modern navigation systems is not a principle or an argument so answers (A) (B) and (E) are wrong. The author did not state enough evidence to make that first underlined sentence “evidence”; therefore answer (D) is incorrect.

UNCalum8 · Answer

Could someone answer the question of what a "principle" is as it realtes to bold faced questions?

veerberry123 · Answer

Hi, will try to help. In my experience, the word "principle" is used on CR boldface questions to describe an undeniable fact that typically occurs objectively. Eg. Price rising with demand/Technology becoming less expensive. In this case, the first boldfaced portion is also partially a principle, but that doesn't truly bring out its definition in this context. I hope this is what you were asking.

Dumsy_1711 · Answer

Sentence 1 (BF1) :   During landing, navigation systems receive radio signals from the airport to guide the plane to the runway.

This is a fact.

Sentence 2 :  Recently, one plane with low-power circuitry veered off course during landing, its dials dimming, when a passenger turned on a laptop computer.
 
This is evidence.

Sentence 3 (BF2)  :   Clearly, modern aircraft navigation systems are being put at risk by the electronic devices that passengers carry on board, such as cassette players and laptop computers .

This is the argument. This is also the conclusion.

Why does the author think that modern navigation systems are put at risk by electronic devices? 
1. Because they are more susceptible to interference. 
  AND 
2. Because there is evidence that one aircraft (with modern navigation) veered off course when a laptop was turned on. (= Sentence 2)

Please note that both the reasons are needed to draw the conclusion - not just one of the above.

(A) The first is a principle that the argument relies on and the second is a conclusion that can be drawn from the first. 
The first is a fact that the argument relies on.
The second is a conclusion. However, the conclusion is not drawn from the first Boldface.

(B) The first is a fact that argument relies on and the second is a conclusion that must be drawn from this argument. 
The first is a fact that the argument relies on.
The second is a conclusion. However, the conclusion is not drawn from the argument.

(C) The first acknowledges a consideration that supports that main position; the second is that conclusion. 
Both parts of the above answer choice are true.

(D) The first is an evidence that supports the conclusion, the second is that conclusion. 
The first is not evidence. 
The second is the conclusion.

(E) The first is a principle that is necessary for this argument, the second is a conclusion that could be drawn from this argument. 
The first is necessary for this argument. 
The second is a conclusion. However, it cannot be drawn from the first.

tuktukauto · Answer

I went with B as I could not see that the boldfaced sentence can be removed and the argument will be valid. It's actually the follow up sentence that is helping more in this case in building the argument. Good work!

GMATslaughter100 · Answer

GMATNinja   KarishmaB   MartyMurray   mikemcgarry   GMATNinja 2
Hi Can any of you experts shed some light on this one?
I am confused with C and E.
My question with E is that, is it a principle? Even it is, is it necessary for the argument?(I mean I can argue that navigation system can be affected even if they do not receive signals from the airport during landing).
My question with C is, the wording is weird, 'that main position' 'that conclusion'
Thanks!

KarishmaB · Answer

This is a very odd question and not what reflects official boldface questions.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Modern navigation systems, which are found in most of todays commerci

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