Advocates of a large-scale space-defense research project conclude tha

To answer this question, we need to find an answer choice that does NOT "raise a consideration arguing against the conclusion" of the passage.

The wording of that task makes it tricky! A better way to think about it: to eliminate an answer choice, we need to show that it DOES "raise a consideration arguing against the conclusion" of the passage.

Let's take another look at that conclusion:

In stating that the project will represent a "net benefit" to civilian business, the advocates are claiming that the positive effects of the project will outweigh its negative effects. To eliminate an answer choice, we need to show that the statement in question argues against the conclusion that the project will represent a net benefit to civilian business.

With this in mind, let's take a look at answer choice (A):

This statement tells us that the "highest priority for civilian businesses" would be neglected if resources are shifted to military projects such as the space-defense research project in question. So, from the perspective of civilian businesses, the negative effects of embarking on the project could outweigh the positive effects of doing so. This definitely raises a consideration arguing against the conclusion. We can eliminate (A).


According to this statement, talented scientists and engineers who would otherwise work for civilian business would instead be hired by the government to complete the project. This would definitely have a negative effect on civilian business, and certainly casts doubt on the conclusion that the project would have a "net benefit" for civilian business. (B) is out.

Now look again at (C):

This answer choice establishes another positive effect that the project would have on civilian business. This strengthens the conclusion that the project will represent a "net benefit" for civilian business, and does not raise a consideration that argues against the conclusion. (C) is the correct answer.

I hope that helps!
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Advocates of a large-scale space-defense research project conclude that it will represent a net benefit to civilian business. They say that since government-sponsored research will have civilian applications, civilian businesses will reap the rewards of government-developed technology.

Each of the following, if true, raises a consideration arguing against the conclusion above, except:

(A) The development of cost-efficient manufacturing techniques is of the highest priority for civilian business and would be neglected if resources go to military projects, which do not emphasis cost efficiency.
--> so if resources go to military projects, civilian biz can't achieve its highest priority ---> civilian biz is harmed ---> against the conclusion --> out.

(B) Scientific and engineering talent needed by civilian business will be absorbed by the large-scale project.
--->again, civilian biz is harmed ---> against the conclusion ---->out.

(C) Many civilian businesses will receive subcontracts to provide materials and products needed by the research project.
----> civilian biz gains sth here ----> not against the conclusion ---> keep it.

(D) If government research money is devoted to the space project, it will not be available for specifically targeted needs of civilian business, where it could be more efficiently used.
----> civilian biz is harmed --->against the conclusion --->out

(E) The increase in taxes or government debt needed to finance the project will severely reduce the vitality of the civilian economy.
----> civilian biz is harmed --->against the conclusion ----> out.

Only C stands.

In all the options except C, there is some amount of dissatisfaction with the way things are done now..

Modify the question to avoid confusion:

Each of the following, if true, raises a consideration arguing against the conclusion above, except: (too confusing)

Instead:

Which of the following, if true, raises a consideration arguing for the conclusion above? (Easy)

Only (C) strengthens the conclusion.

Good going guys .. I was pretty easy
OA is C

This question was straight from an old ETS GMAT exam.

All I changed was the case from EXCEPT to except . Noone fell for it Great going
Sometimes we miss to read it and end up spending more time than required and end up getting a wrong answer.

C it is.


While choice C supports rest all the options harm the conclusion in every other way possible.

What is the assumption in this question? I found the conclusion (Civilian business will benefit from the space-defense project), but i could not find the assump.
Thank in advance.

Answer choice C is correct? How is answer choice A and B weakening?. How to eliminate A and B on solid grounds?

Can some one pls change the tag of this question.
It is tagged as weaken question

Advocates of a large-scale space-defense research project conclude that it will represent a net benefit to civilian business. They say that since government sponsored research will have civilian applications, civilian businesses will reap the rewards of government-developed technology.

The argument made by the advocates is that the large-scale project will benefit civillian businesses. The evidence supplied to support this argument is that civilian businesses will reap the benefits and rewards of government-developed technology, which comes as a result of the research.

The Question then asks us to find something that DOES NOT Weaken the argument:

A is incorrect as it highlights a potential opportunity cost to civilian businesses as a result of the project
B is incorrect as it shows another cost - the same talent will forgo civilian businesses
C is correct as it shows an actual benefit to civilian businesses - they get money via subcontracting
D is incorrect as it highlights yet another opportunity cost
E is incorrect as it shows a cost to the economy as a whole

The right answer here is C. One thing that would make this question a lot easier is to correctly identify what the question is asking you to do before you dive into it. The word consideration in this case is a stand-in for premise/assumption, which means that we are looking to weaken the conclusion. But it is also an "except" question, so we instead want to eliminate four statements that weaken the conclusion. Those ones are A, B, D, E.

- Matoo
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What makes this question tough is the wording of the question stem, which says "Each of the following, if true, raises a consideration arguing against the conclusion above, EXCEPT:"

Whenever you see an EXCEPT question, ignore the EXCEPT. Write down the question stem without 'except' as done below

Which of the following if true doesn't raise a consideration arguing against the conclusion above.

OA to this question has to be C, as it is the only option where "a consideration arguing against the conclusion" hasn't been raised but a consideration is raised on how the civilian business will benefit because of the implementation of the large-scale space-defense research project.

All the other answers were considerations arguing against the conclusion hence they had to be omitted.

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