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16 Oct 2025, 00:14
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D
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
25%
(medium)
Question Stats:
76% (01:06) correct
24%
(01:13)
wrong
based on 254
sessions
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Switzerland’s national rail company has accused Apple of stealing the iconic look of its station clocks for Apple’s new operating system. According to the rail company, both designs have a round clock face with black indicators except for the second hand, which is red.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?
(A) Apple has never been accused of copying by any other person or organization in the past.
(B) Apple is known the world over for its unique product designs.
(C) The designer who created the watch design for Apple’s operating system has never visited Switzerland or, for that matter, any other European country.
(D) All round face clocks across the globe are created out of the same design philosophy.
(E) The Switzerland National Rail Company has itself been accused in the past of copying the platform design of a neighbouring country’s rail platform.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?
(A) Apple has never been accused of copying by any other person or organization in the past.
(B) Apple is known the world over for its unique product designs.
(C) The designer who created the watch design for Apple’s operating system has never visited Switzerland or, for that matter, any other European country.
(D) All round face clocks across the globe are created out of the same design philosophy.
(E) The Switzerland National Rail Company has itself been accused in the past of copying the platform design of a neighbouring country’s rail platform.
16 Oct 2025, 06:48
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The correct answer here is definitely (D).
## 🤔 Here's Why
Think about the heart of the Swiss company's argument. They're saying, "Hey, Apple's clock looks just like our clock, so they must have stolen our design!" This accusation only works if the Swiss clock design is unique.
Now look at option (D): All round face clocks across the globe are created out of the same design philosophy.
This completely blows up the Swiss company's argument. If all round clocks are made with the same basic design principles, then the similarities aren't proof of copying. It just means Apple was following the standard, universal template for making a clock, not stealing a specific design from Switzerland. It provides a perfect alternative reason for why the clocks look similar, which seriously weakens the accusation of theft.
## Why the Other Choices Don't Work
(A) Apple has never been accused of copying... in the past. So what? A clean record doesn't mean you're innocent this time. It's irrelevant to this specific accusation.
(B) Apple is known the world over for its unique product designs. That's just about their reputation. Even the most original companies can copy something. This doesn't disprove the specific evidence in this case.
(C) The designer... has never visited Switzerland... This is a classic GMAT trap! In today's world, you don't need to physically go somewhere to see a famous design. A simple Google search would show you the Swiss clock in seconds. So, this doesn't prove the designer never saw it.
(E) The Switzerland National Rail Company has itself been accused in the past of copying... This is a classic "two wrongs don't make a right" situation. Whether the Swiss company copied someone else has absolutely no bearing on whether Apple copied them. It's a distraction.
## 🤔 Here's Why
Think about the heart of the Swiss company's argument. They're saying, "Hey, Apple's clock looks just like our clock, so they must have stolen our design!" This accusation only works if the Swiss clock design is unique.
Now look at option (D): All round face clocks across the globe are created out of the same design philosophy.
This completely blows up the Swiss company's argument. If all round clocks are made with the same basic design principles, then the similarities aren't proof of copying. It just means Apple was following the standard, universal template for making a clock, not stealing a specific design from Switzerland. It provides a perfect alternative reason for why the clocks look similar, which seriously weakens the accusation of theft.
## Why the Other Choices Don't Work
(A) Apple has never been accused of copying... in the past. So what? A clean record doesn't mean you're innocent this time. It's irrelevant to this specific accusation.
(B) Apple is known the world over for its unique product designs. That's just about their reputation. Even the most original companies can copy something. This doesn't disprove the specific evidence in this case.
(C) The designer... has never visited Switzerland... This is a classic GMAT trap! In today's world, you don't need to physically go somewhere to see a famous design. A simple Google search would show you the Swiss clock in seconds. So, this doesn't prove the designer never saw it.
(E) The Switzerland National Rail Company has itself been accused in the past of copying... This is a classic "two wrongs don't make a right" situation. Whether the Swiss company copied someone else has absolutely no bearing on whether Apple copied them. It's a distraction.
Bunuel
19 Oct 2025, 12:40
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Here is the solution of the question:-
Given: Switzerland’s national rail company claims Apple stole the look of its station clocks (round face, black indicators, red second hand).
Reasoning:
To weaken the argument, we need evidence showing that Apple did not copy the Swiss clock design or that the design could be common/shared.
Final Answer: Option(C) because if the designer never visited Switzerland or Europe, he could not have copied the Swiss station clock design, which weakens the accusation of theft.
While preparing for the GMAT, I came across a free diagnostic test that provides sectional scores and a preliminary overall estimate. Sharing the link here for reference: https://2ly.link/29mFF
Given: Switzerland’s national rail company claims Apple stole the look of its station clocks (round face, black indicators, red second hand).
Reasoning:
To weaken the argument, we need evidence showing that Apple did not copy the Swiss clock design or that the design could be common/shared.
- A. Apple has never been accused of copying → might help, but not strong; past record doesn’t prove this specific case.
- B. Apple is known for unique designs → general reputation, not direct evidence.
- C. Designer never visited Switzerland or Europe → suggests Apple could not have seen the original design, directly weakening the claim of copying.
- D. All round face clocks follow same philosophy → shows similarity could be coincidence; also a good weakener.
- E. Swiss company accused of copying → irrelevant to Apple’s behavior.
Final Answer: Option(C) because if the designer never visited Switzerland or Europe, he could not have copied the Swiss station clock design, which weakens the accusation of theft.
While preparing for the GMAT, I came across a free diagnostic test that provides sectional scores and a preliminary overall estimate. Sharing the link here for reference: https://2ly.link/29mFF
