Official Explanation

The growth of the market for self-portraits of 19th century artists has not stopped increasing in the past twenty years, due to a concomitant rise in both the number of museums and in the interest of collectors in Eastern Asia. However, the fact that the market has been growing for the past two decades does not mean it cannot shrink as well. An international financial crisis may change the current direction the market is taking.

In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?


This is a Boldface Type question, in which you are required to define the role of the two boldface sections in the argument. Read the argument and break it down using indicative words:
* The first boldface portion, or the first half of sentence 1, is a fact, a premise. It is followed by the conjunction due to, which describes a relation of cause and effect. This premise is the effect.
* The second half of sentence 1 is the cause which is also factual, a premise.
* The second boldface portion, or the end of sentence 2, is a general truth which weighs against the first premise. Since it is always true, it is a premise in itself.
* Sentence 3 is an example of a specific case in support of sentence 2.


A. The first is a fact that has caused further occurences; the second is a fact which clarifies the first.
Incorrect. The growth of the market described in the first boldface part occurred due to, or was caused by, more museums and more interest in Eastern Asia; this makes it the effect rather than the cause. You can immediately eliminate answer choices that incorrectly define the first boldface part; do not waste time reading the rest.


B. The first is a piece of evidence that is dependent on following pieces of evidence; the second is a prediction which limits the scope of the first.
Incorrect. While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly. The second boldfaced portion is not a prediction, because it does not concern the future (it doesn't say the market will shrink). It is a general truth: what goes up can also come down.


C. The first is a fact that in turn has caused other facts to come into effect; the second is a conclusion deduced from both the first and other facts.
Incorrect. The growth of the market described in the first boldface part occurred due to, or was caused by, more museums and more interest in Eastern Asia; this makes it the effect rather than the cause. You can immediately eliminate answer choices that incorrectly define the first boldface part; do not waste time reading the rest.


D. The first is a fact which resulted from following facts; the second is a premise which weighs against the first.
CORRECT The growth of the market described in the first boldface part occurred due to, or resulted from, more museums and more interest in Eastern Asia. The second boldfaced portion is also a premise, one which cites a general truth: what goes up can also come down. Since the first portion was about the market growth, the second portion weighs against it.


E. The first is a fact brought about by other facts; the second is the conclusion of the argument.
Incorrect. While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly. The second boldface part is not based on premises and therefore cannot be the conclusion of the argument.
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The growth of the market for self-portraits of 19th century artists has not stopped increasing in the past twenty years, due to a concomitant rise in both the number of museums and in the interest of collectors in Eastern Asia. However, the fact that the market has been growing for the past two decades does not mean it cannot shrink as well. An international financial crisis may change the current direction the market is taking.

In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?


A. The first is a fact that has caused further occurences; the second is a fact which clarifies the first. Incorrect

second is not a fact

B. The first is a piece of evidence that is dependent on following pieces of evidence; the second is a prediction which limits the scope of the first. Incorrect

second is not a prediction

C. The first is a fact that in turn has caused other facts to come into effect; the second is a conclusion deduced from both the first and other facts. Incorrect

second is not deduced from first and other facts

D. The first is a fact which resulted from following facts; the second is a premise which weighs against the first. Incorrect

second is not a premise

E. The first is a fact brought about by other facts; the second is the conclusion of the argument. Correct


I think Answer E

B. The first is a piece of evidence that is dependent on following pieces of evidence; the second is a prediction which limits the scope of the first.


Market has been increasing for last twenty years is a straight fact/evidence. This fact is dependent on the reason that number of museums are also on a rise, which is the following piece of evidence provided.

The second boldfaced part is putting a limit to the scope of growth evident in the first part of boldface, second part is also a prediction.

B is the answer choice in my opinion.

I see where I might have gone wrong. The second part is not really a prediction but just a limitation on the scope.

The author is concluding by saying it might shrink and then offering the justification for his conclusion in the last line.

The first bold face although not a prediction seems to be the one making most sense

the second looks more like a prediction than conclusion


(b) imo

could be e as well

waiting for OE
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imo E .

The growth of the market for self-portraits of 19th century artists has not stopped increasing in the past twenty years[/b], due to a concomitant rise in both the number of museums and in the interest of collectors in Eastern Asia. However, the fact that the market has been growing for the past two decades does not mean it cannot shrink as well. An international financial crisis may change the current direction the market is taking.

In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?


A. The first is a fact that has caused further occurences; the second is a fact which clarifies the first.

B. The first is a piece of evidence that is dependent on following pieces of evidence; the second is a prediction which limits the scope of the first.

C. The first is a fact that in turn has caused other facts to come into effect; the second is a conclusion deduced from both the first and other facts.

D. The first is a fact which resulted from following facts; the second is a premise which weighs against the first.

E. The first is a fact brought about by other facts; the second is the conclusion of the argument.
-- Correct

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