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State spokesperson: Many businesspeople who have not been to
[#permalink]
Updated on: 10 Oct 2018, 21:41
Updated on: 10 Oct 2018, 21:41
11
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A
B
C
D
E
Difficulty:
15%
(low)
Question Stats:
80% (01:25) correct
20%
(01:49)
wrong
based on 3270
sessions
State spokesperson: Many businesspeople who have not been to our state believe that we have an inadequate road system. Those people are mistaken, as is obvious from the fact that in each of the past six years, our state has spent more money per mile on road improvements than any other state.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the reasoning in the spokesperson’s argument?
(A) In the spokesperson’s state, spending on road improvements has been increasing more slowly over the past six years than it has in several other states.
(B) Adequacy of a state’s road system is generally less important to a businessperson considering doing business there than is the availability of qualified employees.
(C) Over the past six years, numerous businesses have moved into the state.
(D) In general, the number of miles of road in a state’ road system depends on both the area and the population of the state.
(E) Only states with seriously inadequate road systems need to spend large amounts of money on road improvements.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the reasoning in the spokesperson’s argument?
(A) In the spokesperson’s state, spending on road improvements has been increasing more slowly over the past six years than it has in several other states.
(B) Adequacy of a state’s road system is generally less important to a businessperson considering doing business there than is the availability of qualified employees.
(C) Over the past six years, numerous businesses have moved into the state.
(D) In general, the number of miles of road in a state’ road system depends on both the area and the population of the state.
(E) Only states with seriously inadequate road systems need to spend large amounts of money on road improvements.
Originally posted by garimavyas on 12 May 2011, 08:31.
Last edited by bb on 10 Oct 2018, 21:41, edited 5 times in total.
Last edited by bb on 10 Oct 2018, 21:41, edited 5 times in total.
Necessary Corrections for Official Guide Verbal Review 2nd Edition Project
Intern
Joined: 20 Jul 2013
Posts: 10
Given Kudos: 309
Concentration: General Management
GMAT 1: 710 Q49 V37
Re: State spokesperson: Many businesspeople who have not been to
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21 Sep 2013, 06:55
21 Sep 2013, 06:55
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TGC wrote:
A silly point with a silly doubt:
each of the past six years, our state
has spent more money per mile on road improvements than any other state.
(E).Only states with seriously inadequate road systems need to spend large amounts of money on road
improvements.
Ok accepted that states with seriously inadequate road systems need to spend large amounts .
But this state has already spent more in last six years, so it can be the case that CURRENTLY it has adequate ROAD system as the spokesperson talks about PRESENT and not PAST status of ROAD system.
each of the past six years, our state
has spent more money per mile on road improvements than any other state.
(E).Only states with seriously inadequate road systems need to spend large amounts of money on road
improvements.
Ok accepted that states with seriously inadequate road systems need to spend large amounts .
But this state has already spent more in last six years, so it can be the case that CURRENTLY it has adequate ROAD system as the spokesperson talks about PRESENT and not PAST status of ROAD system.
The question stem says that this state is spending more money per mile compared to other states. This amount is relative to the amount of money spent by other states. But, the statement doesn't say whether the money that was spent by this state was sufficient to get the road system to a adequate condition.
Let us say that the road system of this state was absolutely horrible 6 years ago, whereas the road system of other states were already in a great condition. The other states with good road system may have to spend only $1 per mile to maintain it. But, this state may have to spend $10 per mile to get the roads to a good condition. Now, if the state with bad roads spends only $2 per mile, it satisfies the condition that it is spending more than other states, but, the road condition is not going to improve considerably because $10 per mile is necessary.
From Option E we can infer that if a state is spending lot of money on roads then it has inadequate road systems. If the state's road condition had improved because of the amount of money invested by the state, then after say 3 or 4 years the state's spending on road system should have decreased. But the question stem says that this state has been spending more than other states from the past 6 years. So, there is a good chance that the roads of this state are still in a bad state.
TGC wrote:
Why (D) cannot be correct.
As in new information answers we are allowed to assume 1-2 assumptions as per RON's videos.
Per (D) it can be true that the state's population and SIZE is more and thus the $$/mile would be more.
And this More $$/mile wouldn't necessarily imply the ADEQUATE ROAD SYSTEM
Plz advise !
As in new information answers we are allowed to assume 1-2 assumptions as per RON's videos.
Per (D) it can be true that the state's population and SIZE is more and thus the $$/mile would be more.
And this More $$/mile wouldn't necessarily imply the ADEQUATE ROAD SYSTEM
Plz advise !
Option D doesn't give much information. The number of miles depends on the area of the state. So, the number of miles of road system is more for a state with bigger area and population. If the number of miles is more, then the TOTAL amount of money spent on road system may be more. But the question stem says spending PER MILE.
Eg: A state with 100 miles may have to spend $100
A state with 500 miles may have to spend $500
The spending per mile for both the states is $1. So, the number of miles within a state doesn't help in weakening or strengthening the argument as the question stem says that the spending per mile is more for this state compared to other states.
Hope this helps.
General Discussion
Re: State spokesperson: Many businesspeople who have not been to
[#permalink]
12 May 2011, 22:29
12 May 2011, 22:29
1
Kudos
A,C and D clearly misses the point.
B and E debunk the conclusion.
B - brings along a new element into consideration.
E - Gives a qualified reasoning for money/mile.
E.
timing is around 1min and 10 sec.
B and E debunk the conclusion.
B - brings along a new element into consideration.
E - Gives a qualified reasoning for money/mile.
E.
timing is around 1min and 10 sec.
best answer. It points out that spending an unusually large amount on road improvements tends to indicate that the roads being improved must be in unusually poor condition. 
