Hi WillGetIt,

good question. However, do not forget to add tags to the same. In such way the question pop up easily during a search on the board.

back to the question.

The two bold parts are in contrast. As such, B C and D are out because they go in the same direction.

Between A and E, the latter does not say that the argument is faulty but undermine it. Infact at a closer look the second bold says: the are resons other than those the argument or statistic says. In other words, the argument is undermined but not destroyed. So A is the best answer to this question.

Regards
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Dear Carcass,

Thanks for suggestion. OK will keep in mine. posted in hurry!!!

Regarding your analysis my thoughts are as follows:

1. In bold face question there is no need to analyze the answer choices from any other perspective (strengthen/weaken etc..) except the role played by bold face text

2. You correctly narrowed down to A and E but excluded E due to wrong analysis. Basically E is incorrect because the "First Bold Face" in not a premise rather it is a "Conclusion". If the choice E read as follows, it would be correct:

The first is a CONCLUSION of the argument; the second provides evidence that the argument is faulty

Hope it helps!!!

Thanks to pointed out your thoughts. However, I have not analyzed this question under the weaken / strenght technique. I always follow the unfolding of the argument as whole. Then I draw my conclusions. (See your first point)

Also, I didnt mention that the first bold is NOT the conclusion. I only said that the argument NOT completely destroy the argument because we have or could have other reasons than those mentioned. Also, statistics are statistics: could not being true all the way around.

This is what I think when approach a bold.That's it

Regards
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second bold face part starts with word since and we now that since is premise indicator.

we come to choices a and c

first part of statement c is incorrect
answer A

VERITAS PREP OFFICIAL SOLUTION:

Correct Answer: A

The mortality rate for married men is much lower as compared to that of single men. The first boldfaced portion takes this evidence to support its claim that married men must have safer lifestyles. The second then offers counterevidence that there may be factors other than risky activities that could be contributing to the disparity in death rates. The answer that best describes the roles in this way is answer choice A. B- The first portion does not play the role of evidence, but is actually a conclusion. The second does not play the role of a conclusion; it instead offers a possibility that undermines the previous boldface portion. Therefore answer choice B is incorrect. C- The second portion does not support the position of the first but rather opposes it. Therefore answer choice C is incorrect. D- The first portion does not provide evidence that supports the position of the argument. Therefore answer choice D is incorrect. E- The first is a conclusion, not a premise. Therefore answer choice E is incorrect.
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hi can someone share what according to them is the conclusion of the argument.

According to me this inference is faulty is the conclusion
but as per the official solution given by veritas the 1st bold face is the conclusion.

i am having a bit of confusion over this someone kindly explain.

First underlined: married men lead safer lifestyles and do not frequently engage in risky hobbies
is a position/conclusion based on evidence provided in the argument.
Second underlined: causes of death for married and single men are not established and there are factors other than accidents related to high-risk activities that contribute to the mortality rate of both groups
provides evidence to undermine the first

IMO A
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Yes, Shubham, the main conclusion of the argument is "this inference is faulty" and not the first boldface, it is just a position which as per argument some people take.

Hi carcass,

I am not fully convinced with the option A :

The first states a position that is based upon evidence provided in the argument

I fail to understand as to what evidence the option A is mentioning about ? No where I find that there is any evidence to suggest that married men indulge in risky activities.

In such bold faced question.. what do we mean by "position" in the given options.
I thought the first bold faced is a premise that supports the first sentence.
Can anybody guide me?
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rsrighosh
A position is the stand someone takes on an issue, as in "what is your position on gun control?" In the context of CR, this usually means that we are looking at a conclusion, either the author's or an opposing view. In this case, the first bold represents an opposing position to that of the author. We can tell because the author introduces that part with "some may argue" and then attacks that position. You may be seeing the first bold as a premise because it seems to explain the first sentence, but that first sentence is presented as fact and therefore needs an explanation, not support. It's a fairly common approach to start with some fact and then get into a debate on how best to explain it. So the structure looks like this:
*Here's a thing that's happening.
*Some people think this is happening because of X (first bold)
*But this view is wrong.
*Here's why (second bold)

Here's an interesting question with a similar structure: https://gmatclub.com/forum/in-countries ... l#p1222508
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