The consistency of ice cream is adversely affected by even slight

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

(A) No. According to the passage, it’s the stabilizers that affect the flavor of ice cream; we are not told that the ice cream’s consistency has a similar effect.

(B) No. The passage states that stabilizers are inexpensive.

(C) No. We don’t have enough information to decide. Although an inexpensive method of reducing temperature fluctuations in a freezer would solve the problem of poor ice cream consistency, the passage says nothing about the actual cost of developing a device to achieve this.

(D) No. The stabilizers are used to stabilize the consistency of ice cream at higher temperatures, so apparently they function well enough at those temperatures.

(E) Yes. The passage states that the “consistency of ice cream is adversely affected by even slight temperature changes,” so the best consistency will occur with stable temperatures. Further, the passage states “stabilizers, though inexpensive, adversely affect flavor” and “stabilizers are less needed if storage temperatures are very low.” So the best flavor will occur at very low stable temperatures.

Narrowed down to B and E.Can anyone guide why E

Hello ssriva2

At first I too have hesitations between B and E but finally realize where is trick in the question.

In argument we see that "Stabilizers are less needed if storage temperatures are very low."
So we can infer that very low temperature plus something can provide the best possible consistency but only low temperatures are insufficient.
And in the start of argument we see that "consistency of ice cream is adversely affected by even slight temperature changes in the freezer"

So for the best consistency we need very low temperature plus unchangeable temperature

And answer E gives exactly this information: "Very low, stable freezer temperatures allow for the best possible consistency and flavor of ice cream"

1. ice cream consistency adversely affected by temp change
2. to counteract, stabilizers added
3. stabilizers bad for flavor
4. stabilizers not needed if temp very low
5. energy costs going up --> strong incentive for high temp

(A) slight consistency change = sharp flavor impairment. Eliminate! We have no evidence regarding the relationship between consistency and flavor. They are treated as separate in the evidence we have.

(B) tempting answer. However, if anything, the evidence seems to point to the opposite. High temps are cheaper, and at high temps, stabilizers are more necessary. And stabilizers are inexpensive. And they preserve consistency and impair flavor.

(C) way off. This may or may not be true. No evidence of any kind is presented regarding new devices and their potential cost-effectiveness.

(D) way off. In fact, the opposite seems to be true. Stabilizers are less needed at low temps.

(E) For good consistency, we need a stable temp (no changes). For good flavor, we don't want stabilizers, which means we want "very low" temps. Thus, for good consistency and good flavor, we want LOW, STABLE temps. Bingo!

Option E has to be correct ,OA please

For good consistency, we need a stable temp. For good flavor, we don't want stabilizers, which means we want "very low" temps. Thus, for good consistency and good flavor, we want LOW, STABLE temps.

Regards,
Sandeep
Kudos Please.

I find the OA a little off . where is it mentioned that stable temp makes for the BEST possible flavour in ice-creams.It just mentions that if temp is not stable, ice cream's consistency and consequently its flavour is effected. X-->Y but Y necessarily doesn't imply X.
Please can someone explain.

I would like to present my reasoning for Option B to be incorrect.

The argument says that costs constitute a strong incentive in favor of relatively high storage temperatures. If the ice creams are stored at high temperatures, we will need to add stabilizers because "Stabilizers are less needed if storage temperatures are very low". Adding stabilizers solves the problem of inconsistency as mentioned in Line 1. However, if you add stabilizers, the flavor is adversely affected as mentioned in Line 2.
Hence, Cost considerations favor sacrificing flavor over consistency.

Option B furtively switches these terms and hence is incorrect !!

Good one.

It's a close one between B and E.

In my opinion B is not necessarily correct, because it's not just the consistency that is sacrificed but also the flavor. Why ? Simple. High temp(decrease consistency-->this is the PROBLEM) ---> Use of stabilizers to overcome that PROBLEM ----> The use adversely affects flavor(as stated in the passage). Hence both are necessarily sacrificed in the process of cost considerations.

Given the facts of this passage, E must hold true.[Stabilizers are needed to overcome the problem of decrease in ice cream consistency. Therefore if low temperatures require less stabilizers it simply implies that at low temperatures consistency is hardly affected and therefore is at it's best possible state. Moreover the use of less stabilizers also preserves the original flavor of the ice cream)

Can anyone please help me clarify this sentence. I don't understand the meaning.and what's role of this in the argument as a whole?
as I understand because the cost is going up so despite the fact that Stabilizers are expensive, they still use them anyway => Therefore I chose B.

If we have very low storage temperatures, we can maintain the consistency without using stabilizers (which adversely affect the flavor). Great! So as long as we have very low storage temperatures, we can have the consistency we want without affecting the flavor!

But it's not that simple: "since energy costs are constantly going up, {energy} costs constitute a strong incentive in favor of relatively high storage temperatures."

In other words,

• Storing ice cream at very low temperatures might be great for the consistency and the flavor, but it's expensive.
• Because of expensive energy costs, there's an incentive to store ice cream at relatively high temperatures.
• By using relatively high storage temperatures, we'll save money on energy costs, but now we have to face the consistency problem.

We know that energy cost considerations favor higher storage temperatures. With high storage temperatures, we have to chose between consistency issues (without stabilizers) or flavor issues (with stabilizers). So we have to sacrifice either flavor or consistency.

In that case, will manufacturers favor consistency or flavor? We can't tell based on the information in the passage, so (B) cannot properly be inferred.

I hope that helps! Mmm... ice cream.

Given the statement 'Stabilizers are less needed if storage temperatures are very low' i.e If storage temp low -> Stabilizers are less needed, can I conclude If storage temperatures are high -> Stabilizers are more often needed? If not, then no conclusion regarding usage of stabilizers at high temperatures can logically be inferred from the conclusion that there is a strong incentive in favor of high temperatures.

Based on this we can't infer anything regarding cost considerations effect on consistency or flavor since we are talking about costs which incentivize high temperatures. Thus B cannot be inferred. Is my reasoning correct?

Many thanks

abhijay, I think you've got it!

Cost considerations would favor high storage temps. With high storage temps, you'd need stabilizers if you want good consistency. But if you use the stabilizers, you'll sacrifice flavor. So which will you sacrifice, flavor or consistency? We don't know.

Check out this post for another explanation of choice (B): https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-consiste ... l#p2010553.

hey sandman13

B Vs E so which one should we choose

Let`s read just a part of an argument. I will mark the KEY words - in red, Also I will mark words that are of secondary importance in blue

"The consistency of ice cream is adversely affected by even slight temperature changes in the freezer. To counteract this problem, manufacturers add stabilizers to ice cream. Unfortunately, stabilizers, though inexpensive, adversely affect flavor "

As you see the main topic revolves around three key words, consistency, stabilizers, and flavor

Also notice how cost of stabilizer is mentioned "though inexpensive"(like "by the way" as additional/ extra information, bot not as key information determinant in using stabilizers)

Next part of argument is following

Stabilizers are less needed if storage temperatures are very low. However, since energy costs are constantly going up, those costs constitute a strong incentive in favor of relatively high storage temperatures.


Now ask yourself a question what is the main topic of argument ? we talk MAINLY about consistency, stabilizers, and flavor


Compare the following --->

Cost considerations that favor sarcificing consistency over sacrficing flavor VS Favoring consistency over flavor

Now which one is more relevant to the topic ?

i am sure your answer will be that Favoring consistency over flavor is more relevant to the argument. We are not concerned about costs, we are concerned about consistency and flavor

So now looking at E and B options we can safely eliminate B, and choose E YAY

(B) Cost considerations favor sacrificing consistency over sacrificing flavor.


(E) Very low, stable freezer temperatures allow for the best possible consistency and flavor of ice cream.

cheers

The consistency of ice cream is adversely affected by even slight temperature changes in the freezer. To counteract this problem, manufacturers add stabilizers to ice cream. Unfortunately, stabilizers, though inexpensive, adversely affect flavor. Stabilizers are less needed if storage temperatures are very low. However, since energy costs are constantly going up, those costs constitute a strong incentive in favor of relatively high storage temperatures.

Which one of the following can be properly inferred from the passage?

(A) Even slight deviations from the proper consistency for ice cream sharply impair its flavor.

(B) Cost considerations favor sacrificing consistency over sacrificing flavor.

(C) It would not be cost effective to develop a new device to maintain the constancy of freezer temperatures.

(D) Stabilizers function well only at very low freezer temperatures.

(E) Very low, stable freezer temperatures allow for the best possible consistency and flavor of ice cream.


Evaluating option B;-

When cost consideration comes to play, high (relatively) temperatures are used to produce ice cream. Then consistency is sacrificed.
Now the manufacturer has choice:-
"to sacrifice consistency" and maintain the flavor, or
"to proceed a step further and add stabilizer, hence retaining consistency but sacrificing flavor"

Since both steps above are feasible, we cannot conclude that "Cost considerations favor sacrificing consistency over sacrificing flavor (option B)"

The consistency of ice cream is adversely affected by even slight temperature changes in the freezer. To counteract his problem, manufacturers add stabilizers to ice cream. Unfortunately, stabilizers, though inexpensive, adversely affect flavor. Stabilizers are less needed if storage temperatures are very low. However, since energy costs are constantly going up, those costs constitute a strong incentive in favor of relatively high storage temperatures.

Which one of the following can be properly inferred from the passage?

(A) Even slight deviations from the proper consistency for ice cream sharply impair its flavor.
It doesn't affect flavour rather melts it

(B) Cost considerations favor sacrificing consistency over sacrificing flavor.
No there is no over consideraation about sacrificies a following path leads to a following outcome

(C) It would not be cost effective to develop a new device to maintain the constancy of freezer temperatures.
If it's a new method we cannot predict the cost effectiveness

(D) Stabilizers function well only at very low freezer temperatures.
stabilizers are used to handle high temperatures

(E) Very low, stable freezer temperatures allow for the best possible consistency and flavor of ice cream
these are the necessary prerequisites as stated from the premise of the argument

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