Some geologist argue that if oil is as common in unsampled

Question

Some geologist argue that if oil is as common in unsampled areas of the world as it is in those already sampled, our current estimate of reserves that exist underground must be multiplied by a factor of 10000. From this we can conclude that we can meet the oil needs of the entire world for atleast five centuries, even assuming that future consumption grows at an accelarating rate.

To reach the stated conclusion, the author must assume which of the following?
(A) it is possible to recover the oil contained in unexplored areas of the world.
(B) The consumption rate for oil will not grow rapidly.
(C) Oil will remain an important energy source for atleast 500 years.
(D) The world will achieve and maintain zero population growth.
(E) New technology will make oil deisovery and drilling more feasible that ever before.

Qus looks straightforward but OA is wierd.

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prep_gmat · Answer

the answer to the question is unresolved with overwhelming consensus in this thread: https://www.gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... =unsampled

Vithal · Answer

torn between A & C...

should be A (striking out C because of "atleast 5 centuries")

gaurav_in · Answer

i thin it is A
it can't be c, because in the questionit has been stated that oil consumption may grow at accelrated growth.
so oil remains as important source of energy or not , doesn't matter

Am i right

Arsene_Wenger · Answer

that must be an error. 
(A) it is.

mdf2 · Answer

C is it

The AUthor assumes that we will keep using oil in the same way as we do now. Talking about 5oo centuries, he does not expect technology to change , or new discoveries to remove use of oil for something else... A cant be: Autor is saying that if the potential of finding new aera is as high as what has been discovered yet then, the potential is huge. No way is talking about finding oil in aera already found

swath20 · Answer

One more for A

Ruled out C, because the qtn stem says " meets the oil needs " so doesnt matter if oil remains an imp source of energy or not.

jpv · Answer

I completely agree with all you guys. It is defintely (A).

However, OA mentioned is (B). 

(B) can never be the answer because this assumption is mentioned in the argument itself. 

From this we can conclude that we can meet the oil needs of the entire world for atleast five centuries, even  assuming that future consumption grows at an accelarating rate . 

I hope u all agree with me..

Marina · Answer

From what preparation material is this question?

greenandwise · Answer

Yeah I thought answer was A but it makes sense that the OA is B...so what if the assumption is obvious in the statement...it is still the assumption and truthfully the argument breaks apart with the denial test for B....as it does with A so..hmmm

Some geologist argue that if oil is as common in unsampled

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