OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
In the previous decade, tea-leaf growers in developing countries have put together a new model for the production of quality tea within a Fair Trade framework.
However, the cost of tea leaf production under such conditions is significantly higher than in other, less socially-aware business models. This fact may cause many distributors in developed countries to avoid undertaking the new model in order to cut down costs.
Fortunately, as social awareness is becoming a decisive factor in the product choice of consumers in developed countries, tea growers working according to the Fair Trade model are expected to be increasingly more desirable business partners.In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
A. The first and the second both provide information which contradicts the opinion favored by the argument.
Incorrect.
This is a Boldface Type question, in which you are required to define the role of the two boldface sections in the argument. Read the argument and break it down using indicative words:
- Sentence 1 is a premise because it presents hard facts.
- The first boldface portion, or sentence 2, provides the data for the prediction in sentence 3, so it's a premise too (sentence 3 also begins by referring to sentence 2 as this fact).
- Sentence 3 is a prediction so let's call it conclusion 1 - distributors will not use the model.
- The second boldface portion, or sentence 4, includes a new premise which leads to a second prediction (expected) or conclusion 2 - distributors will use the model.
The word Fortunately indicates that the author favors conclusion 2. While the first boldface portion supports conclusion 1 and therefore contradicts conclusion 2, the second boldface portion supports conclusion 2.B. The first introduces a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second acknowledges a consideration that may weigh against that prediction.
The first boldface type sentenced presents a premise that leads to the arguments first prediction (conclusion 1). The second Boldface type sentence introduces a new factor (premise) that weighs against conclusion 1 (and supports conclusion 2).C. The first is the central prediction of the argument; the second provides evidence which contradicts that prediction.
Incorrect.
This is a Boldface Type question, in which you are required to define the role of the two boldface sections in the argument. Read the argument and break it down using indicative words:
- Sentence 1 is a premise because it presents hard facts.
- The first boldface portion, or sentence 2, provides the data for the prediction in sentence 3, so it's a premise too (sentence 3 also begins by referring to sentence 2 as this fact).
- Sentence 3 is a prediction so let's call it conclusion 1 - distributors will not use the model.
- The second boldface portion, or sentence 4, includes a new premise which leads to a second prediction (expected) or conclusion 2 - distributors will use the model.
This answer choice can be eliminated on the basis of its first part, as the first portion in boldface is not a prediction - it is a premise.D. The first is the central prediction of the argument; the second is another possible prediction based on new information.
Incorrect.
This answer choice can be eliminated on the basis of its first part, as the first portion in boldface is not a prediction - it is a premise.E. The first provides information which leads to the argument's first prediction; the second provides further information to support that prediction.
Incorrect.
It is true that the first boldface type sentenced presents a premise that leads to the arguments first prediction (conclusion 1). However, the second boldface type presents information that contradicts conclusion 1 and supports conclusion 2.