Political Spokesperson: The biggest and most apparent flaw in the

Question

Political Spokesperson: The biggest and most apparent flaw in the state’s railroad program, blatantly overlooked by those in power, is its timeline. 12 years’ horizon for the ambitious project is way too long given the importance it carries for development of the lagging state. In such a span,  the government will change twice, technology shall advance by generations, and inflation will halve the value of the allocated budget!  Given the lackadaisical record of the administering body, these practical factors have certainly not been planned for and the taxpayer’s money and state’s infrastructure are in jeopardy.  A phase-wise implementation with smaller budgets and timelines shall give the project, its best chance of success.
 
A. The first is an assumption that forms the basis for a course of action that the argument criticizes; the second presents the course of action endorsed by the argument.
B. The first is an assumption that has been used to oppose a certain strategy; the second is a consideration that is used to cast doubt on that assumption.
C. The first is an assumption that has been used to oppose a certain strategy; the second presents the course of action endorsed by the argument.
D. The first is a consideration raised to explain the appeal of a certain strategy; the second is a consideration raised to call into question the wisdom of adopting that strategy.
E. The first is a consideration raised to show that adopting a certain strategy is unlikely to achieve the intended effect; the second is presented to explain the appeal of that strategy.

kavach · Answer

Political Spokesperson: The biggest and most apparent flaw in the state’s railroad program, blatantly overlooked by those in power, is its timeline. 12 years’ horizon for the ambitious project is way too long given the importance it carries for development of the lagging state. In such a span, the government will change twice, technology shall advance by generations, and inflation will halve the value of the allocated budget! Given the lackadaisical record of the administering body, these practical factors have certainly not been planned for and the taxpayer’s money and state’s infrastructure are in jeopardy. A phase-wise implementation with smaller budgets and timelines shall give the project, its best chance of success.

To answer this question, you need to follow the argument very closely. 
A political spokesperson says The biggest and most apparent flaw in the state’s railroad program, blatantly overlooked by those in power, is its timeline. 
Because he thinks 12 years’ horizon for the ambitious project is way too long given the importance it carries for development of the lagging state.
He then says In such a span, the government will change twice, technology shall advance by generations, and inflation will halve the value of the allocated budget! Given the lackadaisical record of the administering body, these practical factors have certainly not been planned for and the taxpayer’s money and state’s infrastructure are in jeopardy. A phase-wise implementation with smaller budgets and timelines shall give the project, its best chance of success.

Let's get to POE.

A. The first is an assumption that forms the basis for a course of action that the argument criticizes; the second presents the course of action endorsed by the argument.
This is incorrect because the first doesn't form the basis for a course of action that the argument criticizes.

B. The first is an assumption that has been used to oppose a certain strategy; the second is a consideration that is used to cast doubt on that assumption.
This is incorrect because the second is not a consideration that is used to cast doubt on that assumption.

C. The first is an assumption that has been used to oppose a certain strategy; the second presents the course of action endorsed by the argument.
This is correct as it matches our pre-thinking. The first is an assumption that has been used to oppose a certain strategy; the second presents the course of action endorsed by the argument.

D. The first is a consideration raised to explain the appeal of a certain strategy; the second is a consideration raised to call into question the wisdom of adopting that strategy.
This is incorrect because the second is not a consideration raised to call into question the wisdom of adopting that strategy.

E. The first is a consideration raised to show that adopting a certain strategy is unlikely to achieve the intended effect; the second is presented to explain the appeal of that strategy.
This is incorrect because the second is not presented to explain the appeal of that strategy.

IMO C.

gmatenthureturns · Answer

C IMO

The first boldface is an assumption author uses to oppose the government's strategy of 12 years timeline to finish the project, which author does not agree with. Second is the strategy author endorses and also the main conclusion of the argument.

Below are my reasons to eliminate each option.

Below are my reasons to eliminate each option.

Political Spokesperson: The biggest and most apparent flaw in the state’s railroad program, blatantly overlooked by those in power, is its timeline. 12 years’ horizon for the ambitious project is way too long given the importance it carries for development of the lagging state. In such a span,  the government will change twice, technology shall advance by generations, and inflation will halve the value of the allocated budget ! Given the lackadaisical record of the administering body, these practical factors have certainly not been planned for and the taxpayer’s money and state’s infrastructure are in jeopardy.  A phase-wise implementation with smaller budgets and timelines shall give the project, its best chance of success.

A. The first is an assumption that forms the basis for a course of action that the argument criticizes; the second presents the course of action endorsed by the argument.
 First doesn't form the basis for a course of action. Instead the current strategy - course of action- is used to derive these assumptions. So first is wrong. Second is endorsed by argument that is correct.

B. The first is an assumption that has been used to oppose a certain strategy; the second is a consideration that is used to cast doubt on that assumption.
 First is correct, it is used to oppose the current strategy, however second doesn't cast doubt on those assumptions. It is a new strategy endorsed by author.

C. The first is an assumption that has been used to oppose a certain strategy; the second presents the course of action endorsed by the argument.
 Correct. Both matches prethinking discussed above.

D. The first is a consideration raised to explain the appeal of a certain strategy; the second is a consideration raised to call into question the wisdom of adopting that strategy.
 First doesn't appeal the existing strategy-incorrect.

E. The first is a consideration raised to show that adopting a certain strategy is unlikely to achieve the intended effect; the second is presented to explain the appeal of that strategy.
 First is not raised to show that current strategy wont achieve its intended effect, second doesn't support the existing strategy, instead its a new strategy by itself.

JonShukhrat · Answer

If country’s currency is expected to depreciate by half over the next dozen years, then the state indeed seems to be in much trouble. Without improved railroad infrastructure and logistics it will probably lag many more years. So let’s dissect the argument to make it as clear as possible to those in power, because that spokesperson is saying really wise things.

What is the main message of the spokesperson? – Of course, an   alternative proposal  ! All of what he said before his last sentence was well laid arguments against the current, but for the new strategy that he introduces at the end.

Spokesperson’s assessment : The timeline that the current strategy requires is its BIGGEST FLAW.

Spokesperson’s reasoning : Why that timeline is the biggest flaw? The reason is that during this period government will change twice, current technology will become obsolete, and the allocated budget will depreciate by half (the first boldface). However, current strategy DOESN’T address these issues.

Spokesperson’s alternative proposal : Therefore, we need a new strategy requiring less time and budget.

From our analyses we can see that the author uses the first boldface as a reason to oppose the current strategy of implementing the railroad program. Indeed the first boldface enumerates three practical factors that jeopardize the taxpayer’s money and state’s infrastructure. The second boldface is by no means the course of action (strategy) the spokesperson endorses. That’s what the correct answer choice  C  says.

Assumption = author’s hypothesis about the future  . All those three factors are not 100% certain to happen. But there is a high probability that they will take place. Thus using the notion “assumption” is correct.

A.   The first is an assumption that forms the basis for a course of action that the argument criticizes.  That’s  incorrect  because in reality, the spokesperson uses the first boldface in order to create a basis for a new strategy that he ENDORSES, but NOT criticizes.

B.   The second is a consideration that is used to cast doubt on that assumption (first boldface) . That’s incorrect because the second boldface doesn’t cast doubt on the first boldface. In other words, the second boldface DOESN'T claim that inflation, technology obsolescence, and government change will NOT happen.

D.   The first is a consideration raised to explain the appeal of a certain strategy.  That’s  incorrect  because the first explains NOT the appeal, BUT the disaster of the current strategy.

The second is a consideration raised to call into question the wisdom of adopting that strategy.  That’s  incorrect  because the second talks NOT about the current, BUT about the alternative strategy.

E.   The second is presented to explain the appeal of that strategy (the current strategy).  That’s  incorrect  because the first explains NOT the appeal, BUT the disaster of the current strategy.

Hence  C

MahmoudFawzy · Answer

The stimulus is as follows: 
 Conclusion opposing the plan : most apparent flaw in the state’s railroad program, blatantly overlooked by those in power, is its timeline.
 Assumptions justifying the conclusion against the plan : the government will change twice, technology shall advance ... -->   boldface (1)  
 Alternative plan Proposal : A phase-wise implementation with smaller budgets and timelines shall give the project -->   boldface (2)

Boldface (1)  is not the basis of the criticized plan ], but assumed consequences of the criticized plan -->  A out 
Boldface (1) 's primary objective is to clarify the flaws of the current plan rather than to promote an alternative strategy ,  D is not quite right .

Boldface (2)  is a alternative course of action, proposed by the author relying on the conclusion reached, not to explain the appeal the current strategy ( as in E )
It is not conflicting with the author's assumptions ( as in B ) and, by itself, is not carrying any evidences or assumptions that criticize the current plan ( as in D )

A. The first is an assumption that forms  the basis for a course of action  that the argument criticizes; the second presents the course of action endorsed by the argument.
B. The first is an assumption that has been used to oppose a certain strategy; the second is a consideration that is used to  cast doubt on that assumption .
C. The first is an assumption that has been used to  oppose a certain strategy ; the second  presents the course of action  endorsed by the argument.
D. The first is a consideration raised to  explain the appeal of a certain strategy ; the second is a consideration raised to  call into question the wisdom of adopting that strategy .
E. The first is a consideration raised to show that adopting a certain strategy is unlikely to achieve the intended effect; the second is presented to  explain the appeal of that strategy .

C

Jazpants · Answer

The answer is C

A. The first is an assumption that forms the basis for a course of action that the argument criticizes; the second presents the course of action endorsed by the argument. - the course of action that the argument criticises is to build the railway over 12 years. However, the government changing, advancement of technology etc is NOT the basis of the course of action to build the railway over 12 years, rather it is an assumption that forms the basis of the argument against the course of action. so, out

B. The first is an assumption that has been used to oppose a certain strategy; the second is a consideration that is used to cast doubt on that assumption. - the first can be considered an assumption used to oppose the strategy of building the railway over 12 years; however, the second does NOT cause doubt over the assumption as it is not in conflict with the assumption. so, out

C. The first is an assumption that has been used to oppose a certain strategy; the second presents the course of action endorsed by the argument. - yes, the first (changing government, tech advancement etc) is the assumption used to oppose the course of action to build over 12 years; and yes, the second is the alternative course of action supported by the argument. so, correct

D. The first is a consideration raised to explain the appeal of a certain strategy; the second is a consideration raised to call into question the wisdom of adopting that strategy. - just from the surface, this implies the first and second are in conflict, but they are not and rather are supporting; wrong.

E. The first is a consideration raised to show that adopting a certain strategy is unlikely to achieve the intended effect; the second is presented to explain the appeal of that strategy. - just from the surface, this implies the first and second are in conflict, but they are not and rather are supporting; wrong.

GKomoku · Answer

Political Spokesperson: The biggest and most apparent flaw in the state’s railroad program, blatantly overlooked by those in power, is its timeline. 12 years’ horizon for the ambitious project is way too long given the importance it carries for development of the lagging state. In such a span, the government will change twice, technology shall advance by generations, and inflation will halve the value of the allocated budget! Given the lackadaisical record of the administering body, these practical factors have certainly not been planned for and the taxpayer’s money and state’s infrastructure are in jeopardy. A phase-wise implementation with smaller budgets and timelines shall give the project, its best chance of success.

Let's decipher the meaning behind:

Political Spokesperson: The biggest and most apparent flaw in the state’s railroad program, blatantly overlooked by those in power, is its timeline.
Speaker is Political Spokesperson, so we are expecting something about politics. So we get to know that some people in power underestimate disadvantage of state's railroad programm - timeline. Premise.

12 years’ horizon for the ambitious project is way too long given the importance it carries for development of the lagging state.
12 year is too long to get the project done taking into consideration development of the lagging state. This part acts as premise.

In such a span, the government will change twice, technology shall advance by generations, and inflation will halve the value of the allocated budget!
Further we have description what could happen in this time period mostly negative effects of it. Premise that shows drawback of such project.

Given the lackadaisical record of the administering body, these practical factors have certainly not been planned for and the taxpayer’s money and state’s infrastructure are in jeopardy.
Now the author presents that planning was not done properly and just a waste of money. Again criticism presented as a premise.

A phase-wise implementation with smaller budgets and timelines shall give the project, its best chance of success.
Author tries to give a solution to make the situation better, I think we can consider this part as a conclusion of the argument.

Summary:

There is main disadvantage of railroad program - timeline - presented by Political Spokesperson. Further author presents to us drawback of such a long program and then provide some better way of execution for such project. So first boldface part here is the assumption or consideration that presented as opposition to the long project strategies. The second part solution for such a project.

A. The first is an assumption that forms the basis for a course of action that the argument criticizes; the second presents the course of action endorsed by the argument.
B. The first is an assumption that has been used to oppose a certain strategy; the second is a consideration that is used to cast doubt on that assumption.
C. The first is an assumption that has been used to oppose a certain strategy; the second presents the course of action endorsed by the argument.
D. The first is a consideration raised to explain the appeal of a certain strategy; the second is a consideration raised to call into question the wisdom of adopting that strategy.
E. The first is a consideration raised to show that adopting a certain strategy is unlikely to achieve the intended effect; the second is presented to explain the appeal of that strategy.

C is the answer.

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