Space programs have recently suffered several setbacks

Question

Space programs have recently suffered several setbacks with respect to their large projects, and much money has been lost. Consequently, these grand projects should be abandoned in favor of several small ones. Which one of the following, if true, provides the most support for the reasoning above?

(A) The cost of starting a space project increases every year.
(B) It is just as easy to revise, and even scrap, small projects as it is large ones.
(C) Large projects are intrinsically more likely to fail and so are more financially risky than small projects.
(D) Project managers prefer to work on small projects rather than large ones.
(E) Large space projects can explore a few places thoroughly, while small projects can investigate more regions, though less thoroughly.

Paras96 · Answer

Certainly, let's go through each option and explain why or why not it provides support for the reasoning in the argument:

(A) "The cost of starting a space project increases every year."
This option discusses the rising costs of starting space projects but doesn't directly address the argument's premise that large projects should be abandoned in favor of small ones due to recent setbacks and financial losses. It's more about cost trends than the feasibility or advantages of small projects.

(B) "It is just as easy to revise, and even scrap, small projects as it is large ones."
Option (B) supports the argument by suggesting that small projects are as flexible and easy to manage as large ones. This implies that if setbacks occur or if adjustments are needed, it is just as feasible to revise or abandon small projects. This supports the idea that small projects might be a better choice given recent difficulties with large projects.

(C) "Large projects are intrinsically more likely to fail and so are more financially risky than small projects."
Option (C) directly supports the argument. It states that large projects are more likely to fail and are financially riskier than small projects. This information reinforces the argument's premise that due to the setbacks and financial losses, it makes sense to abandon large projects in favor of smaller, less risky ones.

(D) "Project managers prefer to work on small projects rather than large ones."
This option talks about the preferences of project managers but doesn't provide direct support for the argument's reasoning regarding setbacks and financial losses of large projects.

(E) "Large space projects can explore a few places thoroughly, while small projects can investigate more regions, though less thoroughly."
Option (E) provides information about the capabilities of large and small projects but doesn't directly address the financial or managerial aspects that support the argument. It discusses the trade-off between depth and breadth of exploration but doesn't relate to the argument's main points.

So, upon further examination, option (C) is indeed the option that provides the most direct support for the argument's reasoning. It highlights the intrinsic risk associated with large projects, which aligns with the argument's assertion that large projects should be abandoned in favor of smaller ones due to setbacks and financial losses.

dotsoftme · Answer

When we see option B and C, C looks like re written of the statement given in question while B looks more promising. Please guide why B is incorrect?

guddo · Answer

Space programs have recently suffered several setbacks with respect to their large projects, and much money has been lost. Consequently, these grand projects should be abandoned in favor of several small ones. Which one of the following, if true, provides the most support for the reasoning above?

The argument says large space projects have recently failed and caused major financial losses, so space programs should switch to small projects.  The needed support  is that large projects are generally riskier than small projects, not merely that some recent large projects happened to fail.

(A) The cost of starting a space project increases every year.

This does not support switching from large projects to small ones. It applies to space projects generally.

(B) It is just as easy to revise, and even scrap, small projects as it is large ones.

This does not help. If small projects are no easier to revise or abandon than large ones, that gives no reason to prefer small projects.

(C) Large projects are intrinsically more likely to fail and so are more financially risky than small projects.

This is correct. It directly supports the recommendation by showing that the problem is tied to large projects themselves, not just to a few unlucky recent failures.

(D) Project managers prefer to work on small projects rather than large ones.

This is weak. Managers’ preferences do not show that small projects are better or less risky.

(E) Large space projects can explore a few places thoroughly, while small projects can investigate more regions, though less thoroughly.

This gives a tradeoff in scientific coverage, but it does not directly address the argument’s concern about  setbacks and financial losses .

Answer: (C)

yc168 · Answer

OE for reference:

Overview:   The conclusion of the argument is a recommendation: large space-program projects should be abandoned in favor of several smaller projects. The only reason given for this recommendation is that recently large projects have suffered setbacks resulting in the loss of much money.

As it stands, this is a very weak argument. It is true that less money is at risk with an individual small project compared to a large project. But notice that there actually isn't any evidence offered that less money would be lost overall if several small projects were funded instead of one large one. Nor does the argument give any reason to think that the recent setbacks suffered by large projects are a good indication of how large projects typically fare.

The Correct Answer:

C  (C) addresses both of the argument's shortcomings mentioned above. It states that large projects are intrinsically more likely to fail than small ones, which provides evidence that the recent setbacks suffered by large projects are not anomalous. Also, it states that large projects are financially riskier than small ones, supporting the claim that less money would be lost overall if several small projects were funded rather than one large one. So (C) strengthens the argument.

The Incorrect Answer Choices:

A  (A) tells us that the amount of money at risk in space projects is increasing. But it says nothing to suggest that this is less of a problem with small projects than with large ones. So (A) does nothing to strengthen the argument.

B  (B) says that small projects and large projects are about equal in terms of how easy it is to revise or scrap them. Since (B) talks only about a respect in which small projects are the same as large ones, it provides no support for the argument's conclusion that small projects should be favored over large ones.

D  Project managers might prefer to work on small projects rather than large ones for reasons that have nothing to do with their likelihood of success. Without knowing the reason for the project managers' preference, the mere fact that they have such a preference does not strengthen the argument.

E  The argument says nothing about whether it is better for space programs to explore a few places thoroughly or to explore more places less thoroughly. Therefore, the information provided in (E) does not tell us whether small or large projects better serve the objectives of the space program.

Space programs have recently suffered several setbacks

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Space programs have recently suffered several setbacks

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