Recent research has shown that companies that maintain a high level

Question

Recent research has shown that  companies that maintain a high level of employee satisfaction usually offer better quality products or services and, therefore, acquire a larger number of customers than companies with unsatisfied employees . The Dot Company pays for a variety of benefits and improved conditions for its employees and, since it began doing so, has noticed a marked decrease in customer complaints and faulty products. The Com Company follows legal procedure in relation to its treatment of employees but does not offer them any additional facilities.  In the past two years, the market has experienced a shift from Com enjoying the majority of customers to Dot's control of this majority combined with a high rate of customer retention.

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

A. The first is a logical theory about employee satisfaction; the second is the effect of the implementation of such a theory.

B. The first is a proven relationship; the second is an idea that supports this relationship.

C. The first presents a cause-and-effect finding that concurs with the main idea of the argument; the second is a specific example of a result that strengthens the validity of this finding.

D. The first is a concept that has been tested to affirm its accuracy; the second is an explanation that further supports this concept.

E. The first is the author's viewpoint in relation to the information given; the second is an example of why this viewpoint is correct.

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Recent research has shown that  companies that maintain a high level of employee satisfaction usually offer better quality products or services and, therefore, acquire a larger number of customers than companies with unsatisfied employees . The Dot Company pays for a variety of benefits and improved conditions for its employees and, since it began doing so, has noticed a marked decrease in customer complaints and faulty products. The Com Company follows legal procedure in relation to its treatment of employees but does not offer them any additional facilities.  In the past two years, the market has experienced a shift from Com enjoying the majority of customers to Dot's control of this majority combined with a high rate of customer retention.

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

A. The first is a logical theory about employee satisfaction; the second is the effect of the implementation of such a theory.

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, which includes the first boldface portion, is a premise because it describes findings (research has shown). Although the conclusion conjunction therefore appears in the sentence, it is used to indicate cause and effect rather than a conclusion. 
  Sentences 2 and 3 are premises because they cite facts: the Dot Company is good to its employees and reaped the rewards, and the Com Company does not give it employees extra facilities. 
  Sentence 4, the second boldface portion, is yet another premise as it provides factual data about the market shift.

A theory may be true or false, and usually requires further investigation. The phrase Recent research has shown tells us that the information in the first boldface portion has been proven, and is not merely theoretical. You can immediately eliminate answer choices that incorrectly define the first boldface part; do not waste time reading the rest.

B. The first is a proven relationship; the second is an idea that supports this relationship.

Incorrect.

While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly. An idea is simply a thought. The second boldface portion, however, is an actual incident that took place, not just a thought.

C. The first presents a cause-and-effect finding that concurs with the main idea of the argument; the second is a specific example of a result that strengthens the validity of this finding.

The second boldface portion is an example of the factual information that helped prove the findings which are in the first boldface portion.

D. The first is a concept that has been tested to affirm its accuracy; the second is an explanation that further supports this concept.

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, which includes the first boldface portion, is a premise because it describes findings (research has shown). Although the conclusion conjunction therefore appears in the sentence, it is used to indicate cause and effect rather than a conclusion. 
  Sentences 2 and 3 are premises because they cite facts: the Dot Company is good to its employees and reaped the rewards, and the Com Company does not give it employees extra facilities. 
  Sentence 4, the second boldface portion, is yet another premise as it provides factual data about the market shift.

While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly. We cannot refer to the second boldface portion as an explanation as it does not provide any reasoning or analysis. It simply recounts something that has happened in the last two years.

E. The first is the author's viewpoint in relation to the information given; the second is an example of why this viewpoint is correct.

Incorrect.

An author's viewpoint is an opinion. The phrase Recent research has shown indicates that the first boldface portion is a proven fact and not a personal opinion. You can immediately eliminate answer choices that incorrectly define the first boldface part; do not waste time reading the rest.

swim2109 · Answer

C in my opinion.

A. The first is a logical theory about employee satisfaction; the second is the effect of the implementation of such a theory.

it is not a logical theory; it may be called a theory acc to particular research.

B. The first is a proven relationship; the second is an idea that supports this relationship.

1st part seems to be right but the 2nd part is not an idea. It is rather actual event.

C. The first presents a cause-and-effect finding that concurs with the main idea of the argument; the second is a specific example of a result that strengthens the validity of this finding.

seems fine. Lets keep it.

D. The first is a concept that has been tested to affirm its accuracy; the second is an explanation that further supports this concept.

Nothing is being tested to affirm its accuracy and 2nd is not an explanation at all.

E. The first is the author's viewpoint in relation to the information given; the second is an example of why this viewpoint is correct.

Its not author's viewpoint. It clearly states that it is according to the research

ved02 · Answer

IMO C.

A. The first is a logical theory about employee satisfaction; the second is the effect of the implementation of such a theory.
First arguably correct; second wrong - implementation?

B. The first is a proven relationship; the second is an idea that supports this relationship.
First too strong, not proven. Second is an example, not idea.

C. The first presents a cause-and-effect finding that concurs with the main idea of the argument; the second is a specific example of a result that strengthens the validity of this finding.
Bingo!

D. The first is a concept that has been tested to affirm its accuracy; the second is an explanation that further supports this concept.
Not been tested. Not an explanation.

E. The first is the author's viewpoint in relation to the information given; the second is an example of why this viewpoint is correct.
Wrong unless "Recent Research" is the author's name

VerbalBot · Answer

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Recent research has shown that companies that maintain a high level

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