Last visit was: 18 May 2026, 21:47 It is currently 18 May 2026, 21:47
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.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
MartyMurray
Joined: 11 Aug 2023
Last visit: 18 May 2026
Posts: 1,928
Own Kudos:
7,285
 [53]
Given Kudos: 218
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V51
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V51
Posts: 1,928
Kudos: 7,285
 [53]
10
Kudos
Add Kudos
43
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
MartyMurray
Joined: 11 Aug 2023
Last visit: 18 May 2026
Posts: 1,928
Own Kudos:
7,285
 [10]
Given Kudos: 218
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V51
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V51
Posts: 1,928
Kudos: 7,285
 [10]
7
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
GmatKnightTutor
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 31 Jan 2020
Last visit: 01 Nov 2025
Posts: 5,203
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 18
Posts: 5,203
Kudos: 1,577
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
sachi-in
Joined: 12 Oct 2023
Last visit: 18 May 2026
Posts: 119
Own Kudos:
343
 [1]
Given Kudos: 146
Posts: 119
Kudos: 343
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
­Summary: Reduce lots for building  or  reduced lawns / open spaces  -->  reduced water spent on lawns  or  save water

To weaken this argument the link between reduced lots / lawn area corresponds to lower water usage must be weakened.
reduced lot means reduced lawns is a premise , link is between reduced grassy lawn and water usage.


We should select an option that shows that reducing the area allocated for buildings won't necesscarily lead to less water use.

option A and E are the only option that talks about the fact that less build area doesn't lead to less water consumption, rest we can eliminate.
  • (A) takes for granted that reducing the size of residential lots would reduce the UHI effect and thus reduce water consumption
    It takes for granted the fact that reducing lot size reduce water consumption without evidience or strong link between the premise and conclusion. Still it doesn't disprove the correlation so this is not a very strong weakner.
  • (E) fails to consider the possible impact on water consumption if having a smaller proportion of grassy area were to increase the UHI effect - Correct option
    It questions the fact that reducing grassy area may not necesscarily lead to reduced water use.
    Imagine we if have: more concrete & less grass - more heat - more water usage to keep lawns / buildings cool

C is clearly out of scope since we are evaluating the plan that involves reducing lots ( not any other plans )­­
User avatar
Kavicogsci
Joined: 13 Jul 2024
Last visit: 09 Feb 2025
Posts: 157
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 151
GMAT 1: 710 Q48 V40
GMAT 1: 710 Q48 V40
Posts: 157
Kudos: 103
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
@KarishmaB

Can you explain the difference in reasoning between A and E?
User avatar
Su1206
Joined: 28 Sep 2022
Last visit: 25 Oct 2025
Posts: 84
Own Kudos:
38
 [1]
Given Kudos: 136
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Strategy
GPA: 7.03
WE:Corporate Finance (Finance)
Posts: 84
Kudos: 38
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
MartyMurray
­Explanation

Phoenix, in the southwestern United States, has grown from an agricultural community to a city of more than 1.5 million residents. One consequence is that the average temperatures in the area have risen significantly: buildings and city streets are absorbing greater amounts of the sun's radiant energy and retaining more heat. This phenomenon is known as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. These increased temperatures have led to increased water use for residential lawns and gardens. To conserve the city's limited water supplies by reducing the average area of garden and lawn around homes, city planners should require that residential lot sizes in new construction be smaller.

We see that this question is a Plan question that has an implied conclusion. The implied conclusion is the following:


City planners can conserve the city's water supplies by reducing the average area of garden and lawn around homes by requiring that residential lot sizes in new construction be smaller.

The recommendation above is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it

The correct answer will present a flaw in the recommendation, which may involve something that the author has assumed but could involve something the author has missed.

(A) takes for granted that reducing the size of residential lots would reduce the UHI effect and thus reduce water consumption

The recommendation involves the idea that reducing the size of lots would serve to reduce water consumption through serving to reduce the average area of garden and lawn around homes.

So, water consumption would be reduced through a reduction in lawn and garden area, an outcome that doesn't require a reduction in the UHI effect.

Thus, the recommendation does not take for granted that "reducing the size of residential lots would reduce the UHI effect" because the plan doesn't require a reduction in the UHI effect.

Eliminate.

(B) takes for granted that the UHI effect is the main environmental challenge faced by the city of Phoenix

The recommendation makes sense regardless of whether the UHI effect is the "main" environmental challenge.

As long as it is an enviromental challenge resulting in a need to conserver water, it could make sense to reduce lot sizes to conserve water.

Eliminate.

(C) fails to consider that there are ways of obtaining additional reductions in water consumption

The recommendation makes sense regardless of whether there are ways of obtaining additional reductions in water consumption. After all, even if there are additional ways of doing so, it makes sense to reduce water consumption in the way recommended.

So, the fact that the recommendation does not involve any consideration of additional ways to reduce water consumption is not a flaw.

Eliminate.

(D) fails to envisage the possibility that many Phoenix residents may be opposed to the plan

The possibility that many Phoenix residents may be opposed to the plan is not a flaw in the plan itself. In other words, the recommendation could make sense even of people are opposed to it. After all, the fact that people are opposed to something doesn't mean that it's not logical.

Eliminate.

(E) fails to consider the possible impact on water consumption if having a smaller proportion of grassy area were to increase the UHI effect

As we saw, the implied conclusion of the passage is the following:


City planners can conserve the city's water supplies by reducing the average area of garden and lawn around homes by requiring that residential lot sizes in new construction be smaller.

At the same time the passage says the following:


the average temperatures in the area have risen significantly: buildings and city streets are absorbing greater amounts of the sun's radiant energy and retaining more heat. This phenomenon is known as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. These increased temperatures have led to increased water use for residential lawns and gardens.

We see that buildings absorbing heat contribute to the UHI, whuch in turn has "led to increased water use."

Simply put, more buildings in an area --> more water use.

So, what will happen if city planners follow the recommendation and "require that residential lot sizes in new construction be smaller"?

Well, requiring smaller lot sizes will likely cause more buildings to be built in a given area since, the smaller lots are, the more lots fit into the same area.

As we've seen, more buildings in an area leads to higher temperatures and thus to more water use. So the author has missed the fact that, by recommending that city planners "require that residential lot sizes in new construction be smaller," the author is recommending a course of action that could lead to higher temperatures and thus serve to increase water use, or at least may not result in a net decrease in water use.

So, we can see that, as this choice says, the recommendation is flawed because it "fails to consider the possible impact on water consumption if having a smaller proportion of grassy area were to increase the UHI effect."

Correct answer:
MartyMurray can u please explain what 'take for granted' means on the GMAT. Encountering this on many questions.
User avatar
MartyMurray
Joined: 11 Aug 2023
Last visit: 18 May 2026
Posts: 1,928
Own Kudos:
7,285
 [2]
Given Kudos: 218
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V51
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V51
Posts: 1,928
Kudos: 7,285
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Su1206
MartyMurray can u please explain what 'take for granted' means on the GMAT. Encountering this on many questions.
In the context of GMAT Critical Reasoning questions, "takes for granted" means "assumes."

For example, in choice (A) of this question, "takes for granted that reducing the size of residential lots would reduce the UHI effect and thus reduce water consumption" means "assumes that reducing the size of residential lots would reduce the UHI effect and thus reduce water consumption."

So, the reason (A) is not correct is that the argument does not depend on the assumption that "reducing the size of residential lots would reduce the UHI effect and thus reduce water consumption."
User avatar
GaganGujral
Joined: 18 Aug 2024
Last visit: 11 Dec 2025
Posts: 29
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 156
Posts: 29
Kudos: 2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
What if you build a complete glass house around a smaller lawn. The UHI would increase, therefore the water consumption would also increase.

Therefore, IMO - E.
avatar
SaurabhPatil20
Joined: 14 Aug 2021
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 35
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 106
Location: India
GMAT Focus 1: 595 Q79 V79 DI80
GMAT 1: 410 Q43 V8
GMAT 2: 590 Q48 V25
WE:Analyst (Consulting)
Products:
GMAT Focus 1: 595 Q79 V79 DI80
GMAT 2: 590 Q48 V25
Posts: 35
Kudos: 17
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Quote:
(E) fails to consider the possible impact on water consumption if having a smaller proportion of grassy area were to increase the UHI effect.

The recommendation assumes that reducing residential lot sizes will decrease water use by limiting lawn and garden areas. However, it overlooks the possibility that reducing green spaces could exacerbate the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect by increasing heat retention in urban areas, potentially leading to higher temperatures and increased water demand for cooling or other purposes. This makes the recommendation vulnerable to criticism, as it does not account for the complex relationship between lot size, green space, UHI, and water consumption.
User avatar
anushree01
Joined: 06 Apr 2024
Last visit: 18 May 2026
Posts: 202
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 162
Products:
Posts: 202
Kudos: 68
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
it overlooks the possibility that reducing green spaces could exacerbate the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect by increasing heat retention in urban areas, potentially leading to higher temperatures and increased water demand for cooling or other purposes.
User avatar
Borrat
Joined: 30 Dec 2024
Last visit: 18 May 2026
Posts: 70
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 87
Products:
Posts: 70
Kudos: 5
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
­Phoenix, in the southwestern United States, has grown from an agricultural community to a city of more than 1.5 million residents. One consequence is that the average temperatures in the area have risen significantly: buildings and city streets are absorbing greater amounts of the sun's radiant energy and retaining more heat. This phenomenon is known as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. These increased temperatures have led to increased water use for residential lawns and gardens. To conserve the city's limited water supplies by reducing the average area of garden and lawn around homes, city planners should require that residential lot sizes in new construction be smaller.

The recommendation above is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it


(A) takes for granted that reducing the size of residential lots would reduce the UHI effect and thus reduce water consumption -- the author never assumes UHI will change as an effect of reducing lot sizes. his argument is that smaller new houses will have smaller garden area , so less water will be needed

(B) takes for granted that the UHI effect is the main environmental challenge faced by the city of Phoenix -- doesn't have to be the main issue

(C) fails to consider that there are ways of obtaining additional reductions in water consumption -- alt scenario isn't a flaw

(D) fails to envisage the possibility that many Phoenix residents may be opposed to the plan -- even if they are, they don't decide on the plan

(E) fails to consider the possible impact on water consumption if having a smaller proportion of grassy area were to increase the UHI effect­ -- e says that maybe smaller gardens increase HUI... and that HUI could impact water consumption ... yes
User avatar
Usernamevisible
Joined: 09 Jun 2022
Last visit: 18 May 2026
Posts: 138
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 554
Products:
Posts: 138
Kudos: 6
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Whenever GMAT says:
“Problem exists → therefore policy X”
immediately ask:
“Why should X actually solve it?”
That is a classic policy-gap flaw.

Prethinking Before Options

Before options, expect criticism like:
* smaller lots may not reduce water use
* another effect may offset the intended benefit
* proposed solution may worsen the problem
* missing mechanism between policy and outcome

Expect wording like:
* “takes for granted”
* “fails to consider”
* “overlooks possibility”

Do NOT expect:
* political objections
* whether UHI is important generally
* whether other environmental problems exist

Focus only on:
Does the proposed solution logically conserve water?


  1. Full Option-by-Option Elimination
(A) takes for granted that reducing the size of residential lots would reduce the UHI effect and thus reduce water consumption
Wrong.
The argument does not assume smaller lots reduce the UHI effect itself.
The reasoning is:

  • UHI already causes more watering
  • smaller lawns may reduce water use
The author never says:
smaller lots → less UHI.
Trap type:
Adds an unnecessary causal step



(B) takes for granted that the UHI effect is the main environmental challenge faced by the city of Phoenix
Wrong.
The argument never compares UHI with other environmental challenges.
It only argues:
this policy may help conserve water.
Trap type:
Outside scope / comparison never made


(C) fails to consider that there are ways of obtaining additional reductions in water consumption
Wrong.
The existence of OTHER methods does not weaken THIS proposal.
An argument does not fail merely because alternatives also exist.
Trap type:
Alternative solution trap


(D) fails to envisage the possibility that many Phoenix residents may be opposed to the plan
Wrong.
Public opposition affects practicality/politics, not logical reasoning.
The question asks about flaw in the argument itself.
Trap type:
Attacks feasibility, not logic


(E) fails to consider the possible impact on water consumption if having a smaller proportion of grassy area were to increase the UHI effect
Correct.
This directly attacks the reasoning gap.
The argument assumes:
  • less grassy area → less water use
But grassy areas may reduce heat.
So reducing grass could worsen the UHI effect, increasing temperatures and potentially increasing water consumption elsewhere.
This exposes an overlooked consequence that weakens the proposed solution.


  1. Final Answer
Correct Answer: (E)
(E) is best because it directly challenges the assumption that reducing grassy/lawn area will necessarily conserve water.
(A) is the closest trap because it discusses UHI and water consumption, but it incorrectly claims the author assumes smaller lots reduce the UHI effect itself. The argument never requires that assumption.
Moderators:
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7393 posts
581 posts
368 posts