Because they can craft objects of a new design without having

Question

Because they can craft objects of a new design without having extrusion fittings custom-designed for that purpose,  3D printers have an application in building prototypes of new models of objects long before those new models are on production lines , and it was on this basis that they first captured the interest of the market. However, suitability for prototyping does not limit 3D printers to prototyping, and in fact their capability to craft items without specialized fittings for each design can allow them, in essence, to be the production line.  3D printers have this natural application to mass-production in part because they can produce items at a cost competitive with that of production lines .

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

A. The first and the second each describe evidence that has been used to challenge the position that the argument seeks to establish.

B. The first is evidence that forms the basis for an objection to the position that the argument seeks to establish; the second is that position.

C. The first is evidence that forms the basis for an objection to the position that the argument seeks to establish; the second is a consideration that is introduced to counter the force of that evidence.

D. The first and the second each provide evidence in support of the position that the argument seeks to establish.

E. The first provides evidence in support of the position that the argument seeks to establish; the second is that position.

This is a  CR Butler Question

Check the links to other Butler Projects:

Data Sufficiency Butler  
  Problem Solving Butler  
  Reading Comprehension Butler  
  Data Insights Butler

Bunuel · Answer

Official Explanation

Reading the question: we see boldfaced sentences, so we're certain that the question will involve identifying the logical roles of the sentences. We confirm this by checking out the question stem. Then we will go through the argument and identify the logical role of each sentence, not bothering to analyze the argument further.

Sentence

Starts With.../Includes...

Function

1st

"3D printers have an application"

Evidence, evidence

2nd

"However, suitability for prototyping"

Partial contradiction

3rd

"3D printers have this natural application"

Support to the partial contradiction

Creating a filter: the word "however" signals a shift in perspective. Both boldfaced portions are supporting statements; the first supports the first opinion (which is implicit), and the second supports the second opinion, which contradicts the first to some degree. We have our answer prediction.

Applying the filter: (A), (D), and (E) all express the statements as on the same side of the argument, so they are all out. We're left with (B) and (C). We can see (B) is wrong because of its latter portion; the second boldfaced statement does not express a position, but rather an explanation supporting the second position. So (C) must be the answer. We can confirm this. The "position that the argument seeks to establish" is that 3D printers can function as a production line. Indeed, the first statement is the basis for the first opinion, the objection to the idea that the 3D printers can be the production line. And the second, though we might not have phrased it in this way, is a consideration that is introduced to counter of the force of that evidence--namely, they can be mass-production even though they are good at prototyping.

The correct answer is (C).

AdarshSambare · Answer

The first boldface  says 3D printers were initially valued because they could prototype new designs without special fittings. That’s not the conclusion—it’s background evidence.

The second boldface  says 3D printers can, in essence, be the production line. That is the author’s conclusion, the position being argued.

So the first supports the context, and the second states the main position.

Correct Answer: E

kumarvibhuti630 · Answer

Argument :   Suitability for prototyping does not limit 3D printers to prototyping, and in fact their capability to craft items without specialized fittings for each design can allow them, in essence, to be the production line.

BF1 :  It is an evidence stating that "3D printers have an application in building prototypes of new models of objects long before those new models are on production lines". It is clearly in objection against the 3d printer usecase to be production line .

BF2 :  It is an explanation given to support the argument. It is countering the BF1 by providing additional consideration of competitive cost for production line and thus extending its usecase from prototyping to production line.

Option D satisfies all these criteria.

Because they can craft objects of a new design without having

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

Because they can craft objects of a new design without having

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards