Last visit was: 23 Apr 2026, 01:44 It is currently 23 Apr 2026, 01:44
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,763
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,850
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,763
Kudos: 810,720
 [22]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
20
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
AdityaHongunti
Joined: 20 Sep 2016
Last visit: 31 Mar 2021
Posts: 533
Own Kudos:
1,084
 [6]
Given Kudos: 632
Location: India
Concentration: Strategy, Operations
GPA: 3.6
WE:Operations (Consumer Packaged Goods)
6
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
honneeey
Joined: 23 Aug 2016
Last visit: 06 Apr 2022
Posts: 90
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 818
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Strategy
GMAT 1: 660 Q49 V31
GPA: 2.84
WE:Other (Energy)
Products:
GMAT 1: 660 Q49 V31
Posts: 90
Kudos: 175
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Archit3110
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 18 Aug 2017
Last visit: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 8,627
Own Kudos:
5,190
 [1]
Given Kudos: 243
Status:You learn more from failure than from success.
Location: India
Concentration: Sustainability, Marketing
GMAT Focus 1: 545 Q79 V79 DI73
GMAT Focus 2: 645 Q83 V82 DI81
GPA: 4
WE:Marketing (Energy)
Products:
GMAT Focus 2: 645 Q83 V82 DI81
Posts: 8,627
Kudos: 5,190
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
The construction of Glenn Canyon Dam on the Colorado river has caused unforeseen environmental effects. By preventing annual floods, the dam prevents the river from stirring up sediments collected on the river bottom and from depositing them high on the banks of the river. These sediments are necessary for the creation and maintenance of sandbars, which form natural habitats for native fish. If water is released from the dam annually, the river would flood and thus recreate the sandbars normally found below the dam.

The prediction above relies on which of the following?


A. There are no other effects of the dam that would prevent the native fish of the river from using the new sandbars below the dam.

B. The flood caused by releasing water from the dam would be like a natural flood in every major respect.

C. The sandbars that would result from the artificial flooding of the river would be exactly the same size as the sandbars previously created by normal flooding.

D. There are other dams upriver from the Glenn Canyon Dam that must also release water in order for the flood from the Glenn Canyon Dam to be successful.

E. The dam does not prevent the flow of sediments from upriver needed to replenish the sediments that inevitably wash downstream over time.

IMO B, negating B would weaken the conclusion..
User avatar
MrCleantek
Joined: 26 Apr 2011
Last visit: 02 Mar 2019
Posts: 51
Own Kudos:
21
 [1]
Given Kudos: 23
Location: India
GPA: 3.5
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Posts: 51
Kudos: 21
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I am with E.
The main part is the sediment and it should not be blocked by the dam even if the flooding is stimulated.
User avatar
NoboruSean
Joined: 19 Sep 2024
Last visit: 11 May 2025
Posts: 4
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 11
Location: China
Posts: 4
Kudos: 1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The argument concludes that releasing water annually from Glenn Canyon Dam would recreate sandbars by stirring up sediments. This prediction relies on two key assumptions: that the artificial flood effectively mimics natural floods (stirring sediments) and that sufficient sediments are available.

Critical Analysis of Options:

Option B assumes the artificial flood is functionally equivalent to natural floods. If the artificial flood lacks the force or duration to stir sediments, sandbars won’t form, undermining the plan.

Option E addresses sediment replenishment. If the dam blocks upstream sediments, existing sediments would deplete over time, making annual floods ineffective. The argument implicitly assumes sediments are replenished, which requires the dam not to obstruct upstream sediment flow.

Conclusion:
While both B and E are relevant, E is more fundamental. Without replenished sediments (due to the dam blocking upstream flow), even perfect floods would fail to sustain sandbars annually. The prediction hinges on sediment availability, making E the necessary assumption.
Moderators:
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7391 posts
499 posts
358 posts