Last visit was: 01 May 2026, 15:15 It is currently 01 May 2026, 15:15
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
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 
User avatar
KarishmaB
User avatar
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Last visit: 29 Apr 2026
Posts: 16,448
Own Kudos:
79,469
 [1]
Given Kudos: 485
Location: Pune, India
Products:
GMAT Club Tests
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 16,448
Kudos: 79,469
 [1]
Joe: Many large, intricate, and precise geometric patterns 15 Oct 2023, 23:03
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
thelastskybender
carcass
I'm wondering if you put the tag sub 600 level conscientiously or at random because this question is pretty tough (almost always this kind of question is pretty difficult)

(A)suggesting alternatives that refute Joe’s conclusion

Ok he suggests alternative explanation but doesn't refute Joe's conclusion because this word is too strong. also notice the word \(MAYBE\) at the beginning of the second stimulus

(B)assuming that Joe’s conclusion cannot be correct. Again cannot is too extreme and morever he doesn't say that Joe's conslusion is not correct

(C)negating the validity of a premise upon which Joe relies in drawing his conclusion

No because once again the key word is \(MAYBE\). Ok Joe, maybe what you are saying is true, maybe not......but the Joe's conclusion is not negated completely

D)offering alternative explanations consistent with the evidence that Joe cites

Yup correct. consistent means coherent, not against but on the same side of the argument, basically. At the same time he gives alternatives explanations

(E)attacking Joe's conclusion as inconsistent with the available evidence

Nope. clearly at this point wrong

Please ask anything if remains unclear

I was stuck between C and D. Can you please help me in the elimination of option C? AndrewN KarishmaB

My reasoning is below:

Joe's assumption: There are not other possibilities related to non alien or human activities.
Negation of Joe's assumption(or unstated necessary premise): There are other possibilities related to non alien or human activities.

So basically Steve is calling this assumption into question by offering alternative explanations. By doing so he is also negating the validity of a premise. Since assumptions are necessary unstated premise needed to draw the conclusion properly.
Show more


Here is Joe's argument:

Premises:
Crop circles have mysteriously appeared from time to time on farms
The appearance of these crop circles is usually preceded by strange lights in the sky
No human has ever been caught in the act of creating one of these patterns.

Conclusion: These crop circles must be the product of aliens from outer space.

Here is Steve's argument:

Premises:
Weird secret society could be doing this.
Or perhaps college fraternities.

His opinion: I seriously doubt that these crop circles are the product of extra-terrestrial beings.

(C)negating the validity of a premise upon which Joe relies in drawing his conclusion

Steve does not negate the validity of Joe's premises. He doesn't say there are no crop circles or no lights in the sky etc. He gives alternative explanations for these phenomena - secret society, college frat

D)offering alternative explanations consistent with the evidence that Joe cites

Yes, he gives alternative explanations consistent with the evidence (crop circles, lights in the sky, no human caught). Secret societies could be causing these (hence not caught).

This is correct.

Answer (D)
User avatar
RenB
User avatar
Joined: 13 Jul 2022
Last visit: 30 Apr 2026
Posts: 388
Own Kudos:
1,475
Given Kudos: 304
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Nonprofit
Schools: Stanford '26 Wharton  '26 (D) Booth '26 (D) Yale '26 (D) CBS '26 (A$$$) Darden '26 (WL) HBS '26 (D) Ross '26 (A$$$$) LBS '26 (D) Tuck '26 (A$$) Kellogg '26 (A)
GMAT Focus 1: 715 Q90 V84 DI82
GPA: 3.74
WE:Corporate Finance (Consulting)
Schools: Stanford '26 Wharton  '26 (D) Booth '26 (D) Yale '26 (D) CBS '26 (A$$$) Darden '26 (WL) HBS '26 (D) Ross '26 (A$$$$) LBS '26 (D) Tuck '26 (A$$) Kellogg '26 (A)
GMAT Focus 1: 715 Q90 V84 DI82
Posts: 388
Kudos: 1,475
Joe: Many large, intricate, and precise geometric patterns 27 Jul 2024, 04:01
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
carcass
I'm wondering if you put the tag sub 600 level conscientiously or at random because this question is pretty tough (almost always this kind of question is pretty difficult)

(A)suggesting alternatives that refute Joe’s conclusion

Ok he suggests alternative explanation but doesn't refute Joe's conclusion because this word is too strong. also notice the word \(MAYBE\) at the beginning of the second stimulus

(B)assuming that Joe’s conclusion cannot be correct. Again cannot is too extreme and morever he doesn't say that Joe's conslusion is not correct

(C)negating the validity of a premise upon which Joe relies in drawing his conclusion

No because once again the key word is \(MAYBE\). Ok Joe, maybe what you are saying is true, maybe not......but the Joe's conclusion is not negated completely

D)offering alternative explanations consistent with the evidence that Joe cites

Yup correct. consistent means coherent, not against but on the same side of the argument, basically. At the same time he gives alternatives explanations

(E)attacking Joe's conclusion as inconsistent with the available evidence

Nope. clearly at this point wrong

Please ask anything if remains unclear
Show more
­Hi,
I understand that use of the word 'refute' would be incorrect, but I am not able to understand one thing- the evidence includes the fact that light is also seen. Joe's explanation does not address this factor. Or am I supposed to know that secret societies nad fraternities do pre-light shows of some sort as well? : P
Can you please help me understand?
KarishmaB HarshR9, seek your help. Thanks!­
User avatar
KarishmaB
User avatar
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Last visit: 29 Apr 2026
Posts: 16,448
Own Kudos:
79,469
 [1]
Given Kudos: 485
Location: Pune, India
Products:
GMAT Club Tests
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 16,448
Kudos: 79,469
 [1]
Joe: Many large, intricate, and precise geometric patterns 27 Jul 2024, 08:01
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
RenB

carcass
I'm wondering if you put the tag sub 600 level conscientiously or at random because this question is pretty tough (almost always this kind of question is pretty difficult)

(A)suggesting alternatives that refute Joe’s conclusion

Ok he suggests alternative explanation but doesn't refute Joe's conclusion because this word is too strong. also notice the word \(MAYBE\) at the beginning of the second stimulus

(B)assuming that Joe’s conclusion cannot be correct. Again cannot is too extreme and morever he doesn't say that Joe's conslusion is not correct

(C)negating the validity of a premise upon which Joe relies in drawing his conclusion

No because once again the key word is \(MAYBE\). Ok Joe, maybe what you are saying is true, maybe not......but the Joe's conclusion is not negated completely

D)offering alternative explanations consistent with the evidence that Joe cites

Yup correct. consistent means coherent, not against but on the same side of the argument, basically. At the same time he gives alternatives explanations

(E)attacking Joe's conclusion as inconsistent with the available evidence

Nope. clearly at this point wrong

Please ask anything if remains unclear
­Hi,
I understand that use of the word 'refute' would be incorrect, but I am not able to understand one thing- the evidence includes the fact that light is also seen. Joe's explanation does not address this factor. Or am I supposed to know that secret societies nad fraternities do pre-light shows of some sort as well? : P
Can you please help me understand?
KarishmaB HarshR9, seek your help. Thanks!­
Show more
­
"consistent with the evidence" means "does not go against the evidence and co-exists."
It does not mean that the evidence is explicitly supported.
User avatar
HarshavardhanR
User avatar
Joined: 16 Mar 2023
Last visit: 01 May 2026
Posts: 498
Own Kudos:
580
Given Kudos: 69
Status:Independent GMAT Tutor
Affiliations: Ex - Director, Subject Matter Expertise at e-GMAT
Products:
GMAT Club Tests
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 498
Kudos: 580
Joe: Many large, intricate, and precise geometric patterns 28 Jul 2024, 07:07
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
RenB

carcass
I'm wondering if you put the tag sub 600 level conscientiously or at random because this question is pretty tough (almost always this kind of question is pretty difficult)

(A)suggesting alternatives that refute Joe’s conclusion

Ok he suggests alternative explanation but doesn't refute Joe's conclusion because this word is too strong. also notice the word \(MAYBE\) at the beginning of the second stimulus

(B)assuming that Joe’s conclusion cannot be correct. Again cannot is too extreme and morever he doesn't say that Joe's conslusion is not correct

(C)negating the validity of a premise upon which Joe relies in drawing his conclusion

No because once again the key word is \(MAYBE\). Ok Joe, maybe what you are saying is true, maybe not......but the Joe's conclusion is not negated completely

D)offering alternative explanations consistent with the evidence that Joe cites

Yup correct. consistent means coherent, not against but on the same side of the argument, basically. At the same time he gives alternatives explanations

(E)attacking Joe's conclusion as inconsistent with the available evidence

Nope. clearly at this point wrong

Please ask anything if remains unclear
­Hi,
I understand that use of the word 'refute' would be incorrect, but I am not able to understand one thing- the evidence includes the fact that light is also seen. Joe's explanation does not address this factor. Or am I supposed to know that secret societies nad fraternities do pre-light shows of some sort as well? : P
Can you please help me understand?
KarishmaB HarshR9, seek your help. Thanks!­
Show more
­Hi RenB,

The alternate explanations Steve provides (weird secret society, hoax by college fraternities) are both "consistent with the evidence Joe cites".

This only means that these explanations do not go against any of Joe's evidence. It is somewhat "in line with the evidence" i.e., there is nothing in the explanation that goes against any of the evidence.

It is not strictly necessary that the explanations explain every bit of evidence. it is not necessary that every bit of evidence gets addressed by the explanation, for the explanation to be consistent with the evidence.

Hope this helps!
___
Harsha
Enthu about all things GMAT | Exploring the GMAT space | My website: gmatanchor.com
User avatar
dhruva09
User avatar
Joined: 02 Sep 2024
Last visit: 30 Apr 2026
Posts: 103
Own Kudos:
20
Given Kudos: 120
Concentration: Strategy, General Management
Products:
GMAT Club Tests
Posts: 103
Kudos: 20
Joe: Many large, intricate, and precise geometric patterns 31 Dec 2025, 01:28
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi KarishmaB correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the word 'alternative' relies on consistent measures by virtue of its meaning. Option D stating "...consistent with the evidence..." seems rhetoric.
User avatar
egmat
User avatar
e-GMAT Representative
Joined: 02 Nov 2011
Last visit: 27 Apr 2026
Posts: 5,632
Own Kudos:
33,441
Given Kudos: 707
GMAT Date: 08-19-2020
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 5,632
Kudos: 33,441
Joe: Many large, intricate, and precise geometric patterns 31 Dec 2025, 02:24
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Why D Over A?

The real battle here is between A and D. Let's break it down.

What Does Steve Actually Do?

Steve offers two possibilities:
• Maybe it's a secret society
• Maybe it's a fraternity hoax

Then says: "I seriously doubt they're from aliens."

Why A Fails:

A says Steve "refutes" Joe's conclusion.

"Refute" means PROVE WRONG.

Does Steve prove aliens aren't responsible? No.

He just says "maybe this, maybe that, I doubt it." That's suggesting possibilities, not proving anything.

Why D Wins:

D says Steve "offers alternative explanations."

That's exactly what Steve does:
• Joe says: Aliens did it
• Steve says: Could be secret society, could be fraternity hoax

Steve doesn't prove Joe wrong—he simply shows other explanations exist.

Answer: D

dhruva09
Hi KarishmaB correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the word 'alternative' relies on consistent measures by virtue of its meaning. Option D stating "...consistent with the evidence..." seems rhetoric.
Show more
   1   2 
Moderators:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7391 posts
AbhishekP220108
513 posts
bhanu29
363 posts