OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
Architecture firms compete by presenting plans and models in order to obtain contracts for projects. The firm chosen by the initiator of a project earns a great deal financially and also receives much recognition.
Forming an impressive presentation that includes the necessary plans and models is extremely costly and time-consuming, and for this reason the XL architecture firm is considering a reduction in their presentation activity. Presentations are an inherent part of cultivating growth in the world of architecture, and
firms that minimize costs by refraining to invest in them will miss important business opportunities.In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
A. The first cites a factor that can affect an architecture firm's decision to form a presentation; the second describes the outcome for a firm that decided not to form presentations.
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:
- Sentences 1 and 2 are premises because they give us new, general information.
- The first half of sentence 3, the first boldface portion, is a premise because it cites a given about architecture presentations - they are expensive and take lots of time.
- The second half of sentence 3 quotes a plan: the XL firm is considering to reduce the amount of presentations they make.
- The first half of sentence 4 is a premise supporting the making of presentations.
- The second half of sentence 4, the second boldface portion, is a negative prediction about what happens to companies who do not invest in presentations. This weighs against the XL firm's decision.
While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly. Because the second boldface portion presents a prediction about an unknown future, it cannot be referred to as a certain outcome, which already happened.B. The first is a professional opinion; the second is a conclusion that disagrees with this opinion.
Incorrect.
An opinion is someone's personal belief which can either be true or false. The first boldface portion is factual information - a premise. You can immediately eliminate answer choices that incorrectly define the first boldface part; do not waste time reading the rest.C. The first presents a reason supporting a reduction in presentation-forming activity; the second presents the cause, and possible effect, of avoiding this reduction.
Incorrect.
While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly. The second boldface portion, describes the possible results of applying the reduction, rather than avoiding it.D. The first is factual information about the forming of architecture presentations; the second questions the accuracy of the first.
Incorrect.
While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly. The phrase questions the accuracy means to say that something is not true. The second boldface portion does not question whether creating presentations is costly or time-consuming; it questions whether this means companies should reduce their presentations budget.E. The first is information that supports the XL firm's consideration; the second is an explanation that weighs against this consideration.
The first boldface portion presents information supporting the reduction suggested in XL's presentation budget (presentations cost too much); the second explains why it should be avoided (it will make XL miss business opportunities).