Country X contains many rivers that flow down from its high mountains.

Question

Country X contains many rivers that flow down from its high mountains. These rivers have been dammed to harness the hydroelectric power that can be derived from this resource. More than enough power is generated from these dams to meet the country’s energy needs. Yet, citizens of Country X often experience power shortages or even outages. Which of the following, if true, best explains the situation described above?

A. The flow of the rivers is heavier in the spring than at other times of year.

B. Citizens of Country X rely heavily on electronic appliances in their homes.

C. Country X has not invested in alternate sources of energy.

D. Most of the electricity generated in Country X is sold to other countries.

E. Some of the most powerful rivers in Country X have yet to be dammed.

This question is part of the  GMAT Club Critical Reasoning : Paradox Revision Project.

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

The hydroelectric dams in Country X generate "more than enough power... to meet the country's energy needs." Yet, Country X still experiences shortages and outages. This could result from several causes: perhaps the system breaks down frequently, or the energy generated in Country X is not actually used by citizens of Country X.

(A) If the flow is heavier, that would provide even more energy during the spring. This does not address a potential cause of shortages or outages.

(B) The argument states that the dams provide "more than enough power... to meet the country's energy needs" - including a reliance on electric appliances.

(C) This choice is irrelevant; the topic is why the country experiences shortages even though the current energy system provides "more than enough" energy.

(D) CORRECT.  If the electricity produced is sold to other countries, then there may not be enough left unsold to accommodate the needs of Country X citizens.

(E) This would just mean that the country has the potential to produce even more power than it already does; it does not address a potential cause of shortages or outages.

aniteshgmat1101 · Answer

Answer should be D.
Electricity is generated more than enough to meet the demand, still scarcity is there. 
This means the generated enough electricity does not reach the users. Option D is perfectly giving a reason for the same.

BassanioGratiano · Answer

Country X contains many rivers that flow down from its high mountains. These rivers have been dammed to harness the hydroelectric power that can be derived from this resource.  More than enough power is generated from these dams to meet the country’s energy needs.  Yet, citizens of Country X often experience power shortages or even outages. Which of the following, if true, best explains the situation described above?

A. The flow of the rivers is heavier in the spring than at other times of year.
 It states above that there is more than enough power generated to meet the country's needs. Above tells us even if the flow of the river is low there still is enough power to supply the country.

B. Citizens of Country X rely heavily on electronic appliances in their homes.
 There is enough power to supply the electronic appliances.

C. Country X has not invested in alternate sources of energy.
 Why bother? There is enough power.

D. Most of the electricity generated in Country X is sold to other countries.
 If the power is distributed to other countries then there might not be enough for Country X.

E. Some of the most powerful rivers in Country X have yet to be dammed.
 There is no need for more dams as there is enough power to supply the entire country.

RITCHAT · Answer

Country X contains many rivers that flow down from its high mountains. These rivers have been dammed to harness the hydroelectric power that can be derived from this resource. More than enough power is generated from these dams to meet the country’s energy needs. Yet, citizens of Country X often experience power shortages or even outages. Which of the following, if true, best explains the situation described above?

A. The flow of the rivers is heavier in the spring than at other times of year.
The argument states that "enough power is generated from these dams to meet the country’s energy needs". So the flow of the river in spring doesn't help us explain the situation.

B. Citizens of Country X rely heavily on electronic appliances in their homes.
The argument states that "enough power is generated from these dams to meet the country’s energy needs". This again doesn't help us.

C. Country X has not invested in alternate sources of energy.
Hydroelectric power is sufficient to power the country. There is no need for alternate sources of energy.

D. Most of the electricity generated in Country X is sold to other countries.
The argument states that "enough power is generated from these dams to meet the country’s energy needs". However, if most of the generated electricity is sold to other countries then there could be power crisis as mentioned in the argument. CORRECT

E. Some of the most powerful rivers in Country X have yet to be dammed.
There is no need to harness all the rivers. Sufficient electricity is already getting generated.

Hence it should be D.

Hope this helps.

rbongaba · Answer

Option A should be eliminated because we are made to understand that power is generated to create a reserve to meet YEAR ROUND energy needs.

Option B, I think is irrelevant.

Option C, I think it is out of place as well.

Option D, should be the right answer

Option E, out of place as well.

So, correct answer should be D.

*PLEASE CORRECT ME IF YOU THINK MY REASONING IS POOR.

Sent from my iPhone using GMAT Club Forum

Skywalker18 · Answer

Country X contains many rivers that flow down from its high mountains. These rivers have been dammed to harness the hydroelectric power that can be derived from this resource. Enough power is generated to create a reserve that is more than enough to meet the country's year-round energy needs. Yet, citizens of Country X often experience power shortages or even outages.

Type - paradox

A. The flow of the rivers is heavier in the spring than at other times of year. - Irrelevant - Country X has enough power generated to create a reserve that can last for year-round needs

B. Citizens of Country X rely heavily on electronic appliances in their homes. - Irrelevant - Enough power is generated to create a reserve that is more than enough to meet the country's year-round energy needs

C. Country X has not invested in alternate sources of energy. - Irrelevant - we already know the hydel power itself is sufficient if it is used for domestic consumption

D. Most of the electricity generated in Country X is sold to other countries. - Correct

E. Some of the most powerful rivers in Country X have yet to be dammed. - Incorrect -

Answer D

azoz7 · Answer

Country X contains many rivers that flow down from its high mountains. These rivers have been dammed to harness the hydroelectric power that can be derived from this resource. Enough power is generated to create a reserve that is more than enough to meet the country's year-round energy needs. Yet, citizens of Country X often experience power shortages or even outages.

I chose D.

A. The flow of the rivers is heavier in the spring than at other times of year. (Incorrect - nothing is mentioned about spring or flow of the rivers)

B. Citizens of Country X rely heavily on electronic appliances in their homes. (Incorrect - This sentence is enough to cancel this option - Enough power is generated to create a reserve that is more than enough to meet the country's year)

C. Country X has not invested in alternate sources of energy. (Incorrect - irrelevant to the argument)

D. Most of the electricity generated in Country X is sold to other countries. (Correct - if the majority of electricity is sold to other countries, this could explain the paradox)

E. Some of the most powerful rivers in Country X have yet to be dammed. (Incorrect - This sentence is enough to cancel this option - Enough power is generated to create a reserve that is more than enough to meet the country's year)

PrafulLata · Answer

Country X contains many rivers that flow down from its high mountains. These rivers have been dammed to harness the hydroelectric power that can be derived from this resource. More than enough power is generated from these dams to meet the country’s energy needs. Yet, citizens of Country X often experience power shortages or even outages. Which of the following, if true, best explains the situation described above?

Here, Counter premise: Riv - dammed - Gen Power - Enough for Country.
 Conclusion : Yet, citizen exp shortage

A. The flow of the rivers is heavier in the spring than at other times of year.   WRONG   - It is good in practical world. It supports the counter premise and does not explain the issue.

B. Citizens of Country X rely heavily on electronic appliances in their homes.   WRONG   - Illogical as electronic appliances also depend on electricity.

C. Country X has not invested in alternate sources of energy.   WRONG   - Illogical as country X already generating more than enough electricity from River.

D. Most of the electricity generated in Country X is sold to other countries.  CORRECT    - Country X Generating more than enough required electricity and selling most of it to other country. That means required electricity is not being supplied to citizen. Hence, Experiencing Shortage.

E. Some of the most powerful rivers in Country X have yet to be dammed.   WRONG   - Illogical as country X already generating more than enough electricity from River.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Country X contains many rivers that flow down from its high mountains.

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Country X contains many rivers that flow down from its high mountains.

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