The roads connecting two distant cities in the country of Kahuya allow

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

The roads connecting two distant cities in the country of Kahuya allow travelers to drive at a speed of 20 miles per hour. If there are no monsoons which render the roads unusable, and if one makes only one half-hour stop every 4 hours, the journey can be made in 5 days.

In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?


A. The first is a premise; the second is a generality.

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 cites a fact.
• The first boldface portion, or the first third of sentence 2, limits the generality of the statement made at the end of the sentence. In other words, it's a condition.
• The second third of sentence 2 is another condition.
• The second boldface portion, or the last third of sentence 2, is another given, a premise, which is conditioned or limited by the first two thirds of the sentence.

The first boldface part does not relay any information (notice the word If with which it begins) so it cannot be a premise. You can immediately eliminate answer choices that incorrectly define the first boldface part; do not waste time reading the rest.


B. The first is an inference; the second is a conclusion.

Incorrect.

An inference is a judgment based on premises; however, the first portion is not a judgement (notice the word If with which it begins). You can immediately eliminate answer choices that incorrectly define the first boldface part; do not waste time reading the rest.


C. The first is a conclusion; the second is a piece of evidence.

Incorrect.

An conclusion is a judgment based on premises; however, the first portion is not a judgement (notice the word If with which it begins). You can immediately eliminate answer choices that incorrectly define the first boldface part; do not waste time reading the rest.


D. The first is a condition; the second is a premise limited by the first.

The first part of sentence 2 beginning with if limits the generality of the premise at the end of the argument. The journey cannot always be made in 5 days; the premise is only true if the condition in the first boldface part is fulfilled.


E. The first is an opinion, the second is the conclusion which leads to that opinion.

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 cites a fact.
• The first boldface portion, or the first third of sentence 2, limits the generality of the statement made at the end of the sentence. In other words, it's a condition.
• The second third of sentence 2 is another condition.
• The second boldface portion, or the last third of sentence 2, is another given, a premise, which is conditioned or limited by the first two thirds of the sentence.

An opinion is the expression of a position: I think that ___. The first boldface part, however, does not express a position. You can immediately eliminate answer choices that incorrectly define the first boldface part; do not waste time reading the rest.
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The first is a condition and second is the possibility with constraints linked to first
D is the answer­

If there are no monsoons which render the roads unusable, and if one makes only one half-hour stop every 4 hours, the journey can be made in 5 days.

First is condition and second is only true if it follows that condition.

A. The first is a premise; the second is a generality. --> first is not premise

B. The first is an inference; the second is a conclusion. --> first is not inference

C. The first is a conclusion; the second is a piece of evidence. --> first is not conclusion

D. The first is a condition; the second is a premise limited by the first. --> correct

E. The first is an opinion, the second is the conclusion which leads to that opinion. --> first is not an opinion

Let's deconstruct the argument:

The roads connecting two distant cities in the country of Kahuya allow travelers to drive at a speed of 20 miles per hour. - A fact (can be a premise)

If there are no monsoons which render the roads unusable, and if one makes only one half-hour stop every 4 hours, the journey can be made in 5 days. - If X happens, then Y happens. (i.e. a conditional situation).
Clearly, the consequence (Y) of the condition (X) is a prediction and hence is a conclusion.

Thus, 2nd (the consequence) should be a conclusion.

Let's see the choices now.
A. The first is a premise; the second is a generality.
2nd is a outcome of one or many conditions and is not a generality.
B. The first is an inference; the second is a conclusion.
2nd is a conclusion. But, what is inference here in 1st?
1st is clearly mentioned "If there are no monsoons which render the roads unusable" and is not a deduction from the preceding statement.
C. The first is a conclusion; the second is a piece of evidence.
2nd is not an evidence.
D. The first is a condition; the second is a premise limited by the first.
1st is a condition, but 2nd is not a premise.
E. The first is an opinion, the second is the conclusion which leads to that opinion.
1st is a condition and 2nd is a conclusion , but 2nd does not lead to 1st ( in fact, it's opposite . In If X, then Y, X leads to Y)

I am unable to select anyone here.

Since I have to select one (when none seems perfect), I will reject choice A, B and E for the reasons mentioned. (These reasons are too strong).
Between C and D :
The all I know that 1st is a condition and 2nd is limited by it - Thus, D looks better.

IMO D

I am awaiting someone to share a better approach.

Lets go sentence by sentence -

1) FACT - Road b/w 2 different cities allows the speed 20mi/h
2) CONDITION - If statement
3) RESULT - if the condition is fulfilled

ANSWER CHOICE ANALYSIS -

A) First is a premise - INCORRECT , Second is a generality - INCORRECT
B) First is an inference - INCORRECT, second is a conclusion - CORRECT
C) First is a conclusion - INCORRECT, second is a piece of evidence - INCORRECT
D) First is a condition - CORRECT, Second is a premise limited by first - CORRECT
E) First is an opinion - INCORRECT, Second is the conclusion - CORRECT, leads to that opinion - INCORRECT

The roads connecting two distant cities in the country of Kahuya allow travelers to drive at a speed of 20 miles per hour. If there are no monsoons which render the roads unusable, and if one makes only one half-hour stop every 4 hours, the journey can be made in 5 days.

In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?


A. The first is a premise; the second is a generality. Incorrect

First is not a premises

B. The first is an inference; the second is a conclusion. Incorrect

first is not an inference

C. The first is a conclusion; the second is a piece of evidence. Incorrect

first is not a conclusion

D. The first is a condition; the second is a premise limited by the first. Correct

first is a condition, second is limited by first

E. The first is an opinion, the second is the conclusion which leads to that opinion. Incorrect

first is not an opinion
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BF1: If there are no monsoons which render the roads unusable,
BF2: the journey can be made in 5 days.

In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

A. The first is a premise; the second is a generality. -> 1st is not a premise. Incorrect.

B. The first is an inference; the second is a conclusion. -> 1st is not a inference. Incorrect.

C. The first is a conclusion; the second is a piece of evidence. -> 1st is not a conclusion. Incorrect.

D. The first is a condition; the second is a premise limited by the first. -> Yes. It makes sense. Let's keep it.

E. The first is an opinion, the second is the conclusion which leads to that opinion. -> 2nd is not conclusion. Incorrect.

So, I think D.

B1 : If there are no monsoons which render the roads unusable. (Clearly a condition)
B2: The journey can be made in 5 days.

A. The first is a premise; the second is a generality. -Incorrect

B. The first is an inference; the second is a conclusion. -Incorrect

C. The first is a conclusion; the second is a piece of evidence. -Incorrect

D. The first is a condition; the second is a premise limited by the first. - Correct

E. The first is an opinion, the second is the conclusion which leads to that opinion. -Incorrect

IMO D

The roads connecting two distant cities in the country of Kahuya allow travelers to drive at a speed of 20 miles per hour. If there are no monsoons which render the roads unusable, and if one makes only one half-hour stop every 4 hours, the journey can be made in 5 days.

In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

Analyzing argument - BoldFace 1 is a Premise which serves as a condition (and observation).
BoldFace 2 is an conclusion which is limited by BoldFace 1 and a non-BoldFace part.

A. The first is a premise; the second is a generality. -- BoldFace 2 is not a generality Drop Option A.

B. The first is an inference; the second is a conclusion. -- BoldFace 1 is not an inference but a premise. Drop Option B.

C. The first is a conclusion; the second is a piece of evidence. -- BoldFace 1 is not a conclusion but a premise. Drop Option C.

D. The first is a condition; the second is a premise limited by the first. -- BoldFace 2 is not a premise, but it certainly is limited by first BoldFace. Keep Option D.

E. The first is an opinion, the second is the conclusion which leads to that opinion. -- The second does not lead to the first. Drop Option E.

Answer should be Option D.
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Hi AndrewN, VeritasKarishma

May I request you to help me understand it.
How is the 2nd BF a premise and not a conclusion?
The sentence has a structure : If X happens, then Y happens. (i.e. a conditional situation).
Clearly, the consequence (Y) of the condition (X) is a prediction .
A final claim,opinion or prediction would be conclusion of the argument.

IMO:
1. IF X happens, then Y happens/should be done -- Y is the conclusion.
Example -
If the government wishes to reduce the incidence of road accidents, it should ban the sale of SUVs in the city.
Conclusion is - the government should ban the sale of SUVs in the city.

2. To do X, Y is done/likely to be done -- X is the conclusion.
Example-
To reduce the incidence of road accidents, the government planned to ban the sale of SUVs in the city.
Which of the following, if true, will help the government achieve its plan?
i.e.
= If the sale of SUVs is banned, then the incidence of road accidents will be reduced.
Conclusion is - The plan will be successful i.e. the incidence of road accidents will be reduced.

Is my above understanding correct?

Hello, Sumi1010. I agree with the approach you outlined in your original post. I was also not entirely comfortable with the latter part of (D), but I knew everything else was off, so I chose (D). Regarding the above post, I think you understand the conditional relationship of an if/then framework. The second one, though, is not necessarily true. Consider the sentence, To win [the game], I have to cheat. It is a stretch to call to win a conclusion, and if I rewrite the sentence as a conditional—If I cheat, I can win—the sentences are slightly different in what they convey. Getting back to the earlier sentence, I might call to win an anticipated result or consequence of a series of events playing out, but I think of a conclusion as something a little different, more along the lines of X therefore/thus Y. In any case, I would be more concerned about the issue if I found myself stymied by the verbiage used in an official question.

- Andrew
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Thanks AndrewN
I am yet to get an official question of type"To do X, Y is done/likely to be done" in which "To do X" alone is marked Bold.
Thus, I would like to keep this point off from my CR note.

A conclusion is the author's opinion. Premises are facts/data.

If nothing goes wrong, the probe will reach Mars in 2 yrs.
Nothing goes wrong - Condition
Probe will reach Mars in 2 yrs - A fact limited by the condition

"the journey can be made in 5 days" is as per calculations. If speed limit is 20 mph and given the distance, the 5 days would have been calculated. We cannot strengthen/weaken it. It is what it is.

If the author would have further said, "It is better to take a flight instead," then that would have been a conclusion.
That would have been the author's opinion/judgement. We can strengthen/weaken it.

Don't go by the structure of the sentence. Focus on what is given in each segment.
"The govt should ban the sale of SUVs" is the author's opinion/suggestion.
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