Snowmaking machines work by spraying a mist that freezes immediately

Question

Snowmaking machines work by spraying a mist that freezes immediately on contact with cold air. Because the sudden freezing kills bacteria, QuickFreeze is planning to market a wastewater purification system that works on the same principle. The process works only when temperatures are cold, however, so municipalities using it will still need to maintain a conventional system.

Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest grounds for a prediction that municipalities will buy QuickFreeze's purification system despite the need to maintain a conventional purification system as well?

(A) Bacteria are not the only impurities that must be removed from wastewater.

(B) Many municipalities have old wastewater purification systems that need to be replaced.

(C) Conventional wastewater purification systems have not been fully successful in killing bacteria at cold temperatures.

(D) During times of warm weather, when it is not in use, QuickFreeze's purification system requires relatively little maintenance.

(E) Places where the winters are cold rarely have a problem of water shortage.

ID - CR03938

egmat · Accepted Answer

Hi, Let's first understand what QuickFreeze (QF) water-purification system is going to do: QF is going to kill bacteria at cold temperatures only. Since this will work only at cold temperatures, municipalities will need to keep conventional water purification systems also. Now, it is given that municipalities will have conventional water-purification systems, whether they buy QF or not. What would make the municipalities buy QF? They will buy it only if QF offers something, which conventional systems don't offer. Now, as we go through the options, we see only option C provides an advantage that QF has over conventional systems. Thus, this is the correct choice. However, let's also consider option A and B, since some of us have chosen these as the answer choices: (A) Bacteria are not the only impurities that must be removed from wastewater. - But do conventional systems remove bacteria from wastewater? If they do, why would municipalities buy QF systems? (B) Many municipalities have old wastewater purification systems that need to be replaced. - Clearly, QF systems can't replace old conventional systems, as is clearly stated. This option statement also doesn't provide any reason for municipalities to buy QF, along with conventional systems. Hope this helps

Feel free to ask in case of any queries. Meanwhile, dont forget to attend the SC session on Saturday. Please find the link below: https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Free-Session-button.png Regards, Chiranjeev

MacFauz · Answer

Snowmaking machines work by spraying a mist that freezes immediately on contact with cold air. Because the sudden freezing kills bacteria, QuickFreeze is planning to market a wastewater purification system that works on the same principle. The process works only when temperatures are cold, however, a using it, so Municipalities will still need to maintain a conventional system.

Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest grounds for a prediction that the Purification Municipalities will buy QuickFreeze's system despite the need to maintain a conventional Purification system as well? 
 
(A)Bacteria are not the only impurities that must be removed from wastewater.  Out of scope or actually can even be used to weaken the argument. Wrong answer

(B)Many Municipalities have old wastewater Purification Systems that need to be replaced.  Out of scope. Has no relevance at all.

(C)Conventional wastewater purification systems have not been fully successful in killing bacteria at cold temperatures.  The argument says that these machines can kill bacteria at cold temperatures. If there is not a fully successful purification system to kill bacteria at cold temperatures then it would make sense to buy new technology which we beleive would be successful. Answer

(D)During times of warm weather, when it is not in use, QuickFreeze's purification system requires relatively little maintenance.  Out of scope. Has no relevance at all. Wrong Answer

(E)Places, the where the winters are cold rarely have a problem of water on shortage.  Out of scope or maybe can even be used to weaken the argument. Wrong answer

Kudos Please... If my post helped.

shekharkataria · Answer

I am not an expert but may be my 2 cents may help you get the point of the argument.

What are we looking for ? We are looking for a reason to buy QUICK freezer at first place when they have conventional system.

B :- It tells us that we have old QUICK FREEZER that needs to be repllaced but it does not tell us that why the municipality will but it when they have conventional system

C;- It correctly tells the reason why we need a Quick freezer in winter season.

HTH

PUNEETSCHDV · Answer

B old system need replacement . municipality can purchase any not imp this new one

C the conventional one does not work in winter. . we need a new one a different one for winter so this one can do the job

Pansi · Answer

(A)Bacteria are not the only impurities that must be removed from wastewater.
Makes no impact. On the other hand could be just weakening the weightage of the Municipalities trying to buy the Quick Freeze machines

(B)Many Municipalities have old wastewater Purification Systems that need to be replaced.
Does not help us to justify acquisition of Quick Freeze machines

(C)Conventional wastewater purification systems have not been fully successful in killing bacteria at cold temperatures. 
The option which best supports the prediction by showing a limitation in Municipalities which can be fixed by using QuickFreeze machines

(D)During times of warm weather, when it is not in use, QuickFreeze's purification system requires relatively little maintenance.
Does not give Municipalities a reason to buy Quick Freeze systems
(E)Places, the where the winters are cold rarely have a problem of water on shortage.
The statement leads us nowhere.

TGC · Answer

Snowmaking machines work by spraying a mist that 
freezes immediately on contact with cold air. Because
the sudden freezing kills bacteria, QuickFreeze is
planning to market a wastewater purification system
that works on the same principle. The process works
only when temperatures are cold, however, so
municipalities using it will still need to maintain a
conventional system.

Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest
grounds for a prediction that municipalities will buy
QuickFreeze's purification system despite the need to
maintain a conventional purification system as well?

(A) Bacteria are not the only impurities that must be
removed from wastewater.

IMO , this is correct as the QF kills only bacteria we need CONV systems to kill other impurities found in water.So this statement clears that we need CONV system for other impurities and QF for bacteria.

(B) Many municipalities have old wastewater
purification systems that need to be replaced.

Doesn't tell why we need to keep CONV systems

(C) Conventional wastewater purification systems
have not been fully successful in killing bacteria
at cold temperatures.

This tells us that CONV systems are unable to kill bacteria but doesn't tell whether we need to keep CONV systems or not

(D) During times of warm weather, when it is not in
use, QuickFreeze's purification system requires
relatively little maintenance.
OOS

(E) Places where the winters are cold rarely have a
problem of water shortage.

OOS

Reasoning as mentioned above, need a discussion on this so that we can reach consensus.

Rgds,
saurabh

pavanpaone · Answer

In C ,What is the need of maintaining a conventional system when the QF is eliminating all the bacteria ?

If option C is the answer it is contradicting the question stem,in my opinion.

egmat · Answer

Look at the last statement of the passage:

"he process works only when temperatures are cold, however, so municipalities using it will still need to maintain a conventional system"

How does it contradict the question stem?

Before you respond, please remember that this is an official question and by thinking that this is incorrect in one way or the other, we just mean that we are not able to understand it. The official questions ARE ALWAYS CORRECT.

Thanks,
Chiranjeev

pavanpaone · Answer

As per my knowledge there r questions in official gmat which are ambiguous in nature.

The only point on which I said C is ambiguous because the CR clearly mentioned that if QF should be used ,it should be used along with the conventional purification system.My question is what is the use Conventional purification when QF is doing the whole purification?

If the option reworded as " QF is used during cold temperature and during hot temperatures QF is replaced with conventional system" then the option is apt according to the info given in the CR i.e QF only works in the cold temperature.

In this type of ambiguous que I usually go with POE.

I hope you understood what I mean to say.

In this type of ambiguous que I usually go with POE.

I hope you understood what I mean to say.

egmat · Answer

It might be true but even if it is so, it applies to only around 1% of the questions. However, this knowledge is dangerous since you may apply this knowledge to every CR question you are not able to understand. So, you should be very very careful when you use this knowledge to challenge official questions.

The point is that QF works at cold temperatures only. So, you need another system that would work at not-so-cold temperatures. For example: a lot of air conditioners work only during summers when they lower down the room temperature; during winters, you need heaters to make the room temperature moderate. It does not mean that either air conditioners or heaters are not required. Both are required at different times.

The option statement need not be reworded. Rather, the rewording you are suggesting does not present any problem with using conventional systems during cold weather. How does this reworded option statement make you believe that the municipalities will buy QF?

-Chiranjeev

shruti1234srivastava · Answer

OA is c. My approach : prediction- Municipalities will buy QF despite the need to maintain a conventional one as well. Strongest ground for this prediction will be something that supports this decision of maintaining QF despite the already present conventional one. Now, why on earth will the municipality buy QF when it already has the conv. one? Only when the QF gives some advantage over the one already in use. So, prethinking on this line, would help you to look out for an option that mentions an ADVANTAGE of QF over the conv. one. Any aspirant who prethinks on this line, is bound to mark the right answer..

Now, lets start with options. Option A does not address the right issue. We need the option to discuss an ADVANTAGE of QF. Rather this option points out some flaw in the system ( There are other micro organisms present in the water, but sadly, QF cannot help us remove them ). This option, if anything, weakens the prediction. Therefore option A is incorrect. Option B Fine. Many municipalities might have old waste water systems that need replacement. But then, even if it is true, how does it strengthen the fact that QF is needed despite the conventional one. ( Remember, the question does not want to replace the old systems with QF alone. It wants us to consider a case where QF would be needed despite the conv. one ). Therefore this statement digresses from the main line of prediction

. You can also think it from a different angle. Since this option does not deal with the advantage of QF over conv., it's wrong. Option C is correct , because it rightly discusses the advantage of QF. ( Remember, no one is mad to use QF despite having conv. one if QF has no advantage over the conv. purifier. Option D This does deal with a good point about the QF. Great!!!. maintenance can be a factor, but its always secondary to the advantage mentioned in Option C. Honestly speaking, this can be the answer, but only when a better option like C is not present.Also, the option might address the fact that QF is great to use, but it does not mention a reason of using it, even when a conventional one is already present. Option E is straightaway irrelevant. Hope it helps. Kindly show support..

GyMrAT · Answer

Question Type: Strengthen

Premise 1: Since sudden freezing kills bacteria, Quickfreeze, is planning to market a waste water purification system, that works on the principle of snow making machines.

Conclusion: Municipalities planning to use quick freeze will still have to maintain their conventional systems, as quick freeze works only in cold temperatures.

Analysis: Since the question is asking to strengthen this decision taken by the municipalities, there needs to be a compelling reason for them to bear the additional cost of Quick freeze in addition to conventional systems. Either Quickfreeze provides a benefit which it does since it kills bacteria at cold temperatures, which conventional systems may or may not or in cold temperatures due to harsh weather conditions Quickfreeze is an easier method to deploy than conventional systems. The correct answer needs to support the use of quick freeze in winters despite conventional systems still being operational.

(A) Bacteria are not the only impurities that must be removed from wastewater. -  Hence the simultaneous requirement of conventional system, however does not strengthen the need for Quick freeze, Incorrect

(B) Many municipalities have old wastewater purification systems that need to be replaced. -  Argument does not say about anything replacing conventional system. Incorrect.

(C) Conventional wastewater purification systems have not been fully successful in killing bacteria at cold temperatures. -  Hence at Cold temperatures the municipalities need an alternate method to kill this bacteria, therefore Quick freeze is required. Perfect. Correct

(D) During times of warm weather, when it is not in use, QuickFreeze's purification system requires relatively little maintenance.  Not enough a compelling reason to use quick freeze. Incorrect
 
(E) Places where the winters are cold rarely have a problem of water shortage.  Out of context. Incorrect.

Thanks,
GyM

rish2708 · Answer

Hi Experts and All,

Can you please help me with a concrete reason to reject option D?
Option C states that conventional water systems aren't successful in cold temperatures.

This tends to   weaken   the conclusion as per me. My thought process is - Since, we do not know till now what would happen in summer ( hotter) periods ( because it is not mentioned in the argument ) , we can confidently say that in colder times, QuickFreeze is better ( as per the option)? That means this option gives me a belief to lower my belief in the conclusion right?

On the similar lines, option D says that it's easier to maintain the QuickFreeze in hotter periods. Though I agree that it does not say anything about the conventional water systems, it's still an additional advantage to maintain Quickfreeze in summers ( hotter periods) because they can't be use then and use conventional water in times of summer?

Please suggest where did I go wrong?

Regards,
Rishav

Wonderwoman31 · Answer

Hi  rish2708 ,

I am happy to help you.

You have made a lot of points in your explanation. But advice for you is that keep a sharp eye on conclusion and premises in CR question and know it how to differentiate between the two.

Now, the conclusion is the prediction that municipalities will buy Quickfreeze's purification system despite the need to maintain a conventional system.

Negating the above conclusion we get that in what scenario, municipalities need not maintain QF despite having a conventional system. The scenarios would be that QF provides no additional advantage under any circumstance. But if QF can provide an advantage, say that in winter conventional systems do not work, then QF would be required and any such statement would strengthen my conclusion. That is why the correct answer choice is c

Also, it is mentioned in the premise that QF works in cold, therefore there is no need to form an assumption about summers. But the conventional system does not work in winter is a valuable information

Also, in Option D, QF has low maintenance will not strengthen it as we do not keep anything just because something has low maintenance. We keep something because of a utility. That is there in option c.

I hope my explanation helps.

ArnauG · Answer

The prediction is that municipalities will buy QuickFreeze's purification system despite the need to maintain a conventional purification system. We need to find the option that provides the strongest grounds for this prediction. Let's evaluate the options:

(A) Bacteria are not the only impurities that must be removed from wastewater.
This statement suggests that there are other impurities in wastewater besides bacteria. It does not provide strong grounds for predicting that municipalities will buy QuickFreeze's purification system despite the need for a conventional system.

(B) Many municipalities have old wastewater purification systems that need to be replaced.
This statement suggests that there is a need for municipalities to replace their old wastewater purification systems. It provides a possible reason why municipalities might consider buying QuickFreeze's purification system despite the need for a conventional system.

(C) Conventional wastewater purification systems have not been fully successful in killing bacteria at cold temperatures.
This statement suggests that conventional wastewater purification systems have limitations in killing bacteria at cold temperatures. It provides a reason why municipalities might be interested in QuickFreeze's purification system, which is specifically designed for cold temperature purification.

(D) During times of warm weather, when it is not in use, QuickFreeze's purification system requires relatively little maintenance.
This statement provides information about the maintenance requirements of QuickFreeze's purification system during warm weather. It does not directly strengthen the prediction that municipalities will buy the system despite the need for a conventional system.

(E) Places where the winters are cold rarely have a problem of water shortage.
This statement provides information about water shortage in places with cold winters. It does not directly address the prediction regarding municipalities purchasing QuickFreeze's purification system.

Based on the analysis, the statement that provides the strongest grounds for predicting that municipalities will buy QuickFreeze's purification system despite the need to maintain a conventional system is (C) Conventional wastewater purification systems have not been fully successful in killing bacteria at cold temperatures. It suggests a limitation of conventional systems and highlights the potential value of QuickFreeze's system specifically designed for cold temperature purification.

KarishmaB · Answer

Premises:  
- Snowmaking machines make snow by spraying a mist which freezes when it comes in contact with cold air. 
- The sudden freezing kills bacteria
- QuickFreeze is planning to market a wastewater purification system that works on the same principle. (spray the water and make it come in contact with cold air so that it freezes and all bacteria are killed)
- But weather needs to be cold for this to work so conventional system will be necessary too (for summers).

Prediction   - Municipalities will buy QuickFreeze's purification system despite the need to maintain a conventional purification system as well

We need to strengthen the prediction. We need to provide data that says that indeed this is true. The municipalities will buy QuickFreeze's purification system. So we need to look for some advantage of QuickFreeze's purification system or some gap of the conventional system that QuickFreeze's purification system fixes.

(A) Bacteria are not the only impurities that must be removed from wastewater.

QuickFreeze's purification system removes bacteria only. If other impurities need to be removed as well, it is a weakener for our prediction. It highlights a con of QuickFreeze's purification system.

(B) Many municipalities have old wastewater purification systems that need to be replaced.

Irrelevant. This doesn't give us any advantage of QuickFreeze's purification system.

(C) Conventional wastewater purification systems have not been fully successful in killing bacteria at cold temperatures.

Correct. This gives us an advantage of QuickFreeze's purification system. Why would the municipality need QuickFreeze's purification system if it has the conventional system? The conventional system is not fully effective against bacteria at cold temperatures while QuickFreeze's purification system is. Then QuickFreeze's purification system is a worthy addition to the conventional system.

(D) During times of warm weather, when it is not in use, QuickFreeze's purification system requires relatively little maintenance.

Irrelevant. The point is why would one buy it for winters when the conventional system is already there too. Little maintenance in summers is not a reason to invest in it for winters. Why do we need it for winters, it doesn't say.

(E) Places where the winters are cold rarely have a problem of water shortage.

This is a reason against the prediction. QuickFreeze's purification system needs cold winters. If water shortage is not a problem there, why would one need to purify wastewater in the first place?

Answer (C)

EugeneTheGuy · Answer

Would the answer be A if the question is " Why still keep the old machine when buying a new one is certain"?

patronumbeagle · Answer

I miss this because of missreading the question

What I red and interpreted: " Why municipalities will maintain the conventional system if they buy QF?" This leads me incorrectly to choose D, because Municipalities will need a system that works when QF is in maintainance. I'll put more attention the next time

StanleyVu · Answer

I was also left with A and C after POE and arrived at the same argument in support of A. But C is still a stronger strengthener:

- A: There has always been a need to remove from water many kinds of impurities (bacteria included), even before the advent of QuickFreeze. There is no information about the ability of the conventional system here (whether it has already fulfilled this need or not). We know that QF can kill bacteria in cold weather only, but what if the current system can already kill bacteria in all kinds of weather, or can already remove all kinds of impurities? 
Thus, A is not a strengthener for the purchase of QF

- C: The conventional system clearly shows a weakness here that can be complemented by the use of QF. Hence, it offers a reason for municipalities to have both systems.

Snowmaking machines work by spraying a mist that freezes immediately

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GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

Snowmaking machines work by spraying a mist that freezes immediately

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