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655-705 (Hard)|   Bold Face CR|         
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 23 Dec 2025, 18:12
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A - 1st doesn't support second.
B - 1st doesn't support second.
C - There are more than one conclusion and second supports first.
D - Seond is supporting it's not being supported.
E - Correct
Bunuel
Lena: Single-use plastic bags should be banned in our state’s coastal towns. Over the last several years, the number of dead sea turtles found on local beaches has risen sharply. This increase is probably attributable, at least in part, to plastic bag litter. The use of plastic bags by shoppers has been growing steadily. Plastic bags often end up in the ocean, where turtles mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them.

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

A. The first is a conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the second; the second is the main conclusion drawn in the argument.
B. The first is a premise offered to support the second; the second is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion.
C. The first is a premise offered to support the only conclusion drawn in the argument; so is the second.
D. The first is the main conclusion drawn in the argument; the second is another conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the first.
E. The first is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion; the second is a premise offered to support the first.

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 23 Dec 2025, 21:22
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Main conclusion: [Single-use plastic bags should be...] => Anything after that is only the premise that support the main conclusion => Obviously the answer is C
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 23 Dec 2025, 22:26
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The first sentence is literally the main conclusion of the passage. The first BF is an intermediate conclusion, which is supported by the two premises that follow it. One of the premise is the second BF.

A - The first BF is indeed a conclusion for which support is offered. Although, it does not support the second BF, nor is the second BF the main conclusion

B - The first BF is not a premise but an intermediate conclusion. Second BF is not a conclusion.

C - The first BF is not a premise but an intermediate conclusion. Second BF, though a premise is offered to support the first BF

D - First BF is a conclusion, but not the main conclusion. The second BF is not a conclusion.

E - This is in line with our thinking.

Therefore, Option E IMO.
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 23 Dec 2025, 23:11
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conclusion: "single-use plastic bags shall be banned in our state's coastal town.

BF1 (Boldface 1): a claim used as premise for conclusion
BF2: a reason that supports Bf1 and in turn the conclusion


A.Bf1 is not offered to support Bf1, it is the reverse. Bf2 is not the main conclusion.
B. BF1 is not offered to support Bf2, the relationship is reverse
C.first is not a premise and there are more than one conclusions(they are intermediate conclusions)
D. Bf1 is not main conclusion. 2nd is not a claim but a reason and it is not supported by something else
E.Correct. as mentioned in my analysis above
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 23 Dec 2025, 23:24
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Bunuel
Lena: Single-use plastic bags should be banned in our state’s coastal towns. Over the last several years, the number of dead sea turtles found on local beaches has risen sharply. This increase is probably attributable, at least in part, to plastic bag litter. The use of plastic bags by shoppers has been growing steadily. Plastic bags often end up in the ocean, where turtles mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them.

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

A. The first is a conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the second; the second is the main conclusion drawn in the argument.
B. The first is a premise offered to support the second; the second is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion.
C. The first is a premise offered to support the only conclusion drawn in the argument; so is the second.
D. The first is the main conclusion drawn in the argument; the second is another conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the first.
E. The first is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion; the second is a premise offered to support the first.

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Going through the passage, we can identify what role each boldface plays as we go through, then see what option matches it best.

Boldface 1: Looks like a conclusion.
Boldface 2: Looks like evidence.

Let's go through the options. For boldface questions, each part of the answer choice must be right for it to be the correct answer.

Option A: Boldface 2 is not a conclusion, eliminate.
Option B: Boldface 1 is not a premise, eliminate.
Option C: Boldface 1 is not a premise, eliminate.
Option D: Boldface 2 is not a conclusion, eliminate.
Option E: Boldface 1 is indeed a conclusion, and Boldface 2 is indeed a premise. Thus, E is our answer.
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 23 Dec 2025, 23:39
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Bunuel
Lena: Single-use plastic bags should be banned in our state’s coastal towns. Over the last several years, the number of dead sea turtles found on local beaches has risen sharply. This increase is probably attributable, at least in part, to plastic bag litter. The use of plastic bags by shoppers has been growing steadily. Plastic bags often end up in the ocean, where turtles mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them.

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

A. The first is a conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the second; the second is the main conclusion drawn in the argument.
B. The first is a premise offered to support the second; the second is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion.
C. The first is a premise offered to support the only conclusion drawn in the argument; so is the second.
D. The first is the main conclusion drawn in the argument; the second is another conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the first.
E. The first is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion; the second is a premise offered to support the first.

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A. The first part of the two statements is correct. The second part is incorrect. The second is not the Main Conclusion.

B. The first part is incorrect. The first is not a premise used to support the second.

C. Both are incorrect as the passage contains intermediate conclusions.

D. The first is incorrect as the first bold face is not the main conclusion.

E. Correct - The first is an Intermediate conclusion. The second BF supports first.

Option E
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 24 Dec 2025, 00:12
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Single-use plastic bags should be banned... (Lena's conclusion)
Over the last several years, the number of dead sea... (A fact/information serves as a reason to support author's argument)
This increase is probably... (Intermediate conclusion)
The use of plastic bags... (Fact 2)
Plastic bags often end up... (Premise to support the intermediate conclusion)

A. Incorrect. The second is not the main conclusion.
B. Incorrect. The first is not a premise to support the second.
C. Incorrect. The first is not a premise.
D. Incorrect. The first is not the main conclusion.
E. CORRECT. The first is a conclusion but not the main conclusion, and the second is a premise support the first.
Bunuel
Lena: Single-use plastic bags should be banned in our state’s coastal towns. Over the last several years, the number of dead sea turtles found on local beaches has risen sharply. This increase is probably attributable, at least in part, to plastic bag litter. The use of plastic bags by shoppers has been growing steadily. Plastic bags often end up in the ocean, where turtles mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them.

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

A. The first is a conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the second; the second is the main conclusion drawn in the argument.
B. The first is a premise offered to support the second; the second is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion.
C. The first is a premise offered to support the only conclusion drawn in the argument; so is the second.
D. The first is the main conclusion drawn in the argument; the second is another conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the first.
E. The first is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion; the second is a premise offered to support the first.

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 24 Dec 2025, 00:13
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Main Conclusion: Lena: Single-use plastic bags should be banned in our state's coastal towns.

Premise supporting conclusion: Over the last several years, the number of dead sea turtles found on local beaches has risen sharply.

Intermediate conclusion <fist boldface> : This increase is probably attributable, at least in part, to plastic bag litter.

Premise: The use of plastic bags by shoppers has been growing steadily.

Premise supporting supporting main conclusion <second boldface>: Plastic bags often end up in the ocean, where turtles mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them.

Pre-thinking:

First boldface is an intermediate conclusion and second boldface is premise supporting that conclusion.

Options:

A. The second is NOT the main conclusion of the argument. Incorrect

B. The first is NOT a premise offered to support the second but is an intermediate conclusion. The second is NOT a conclusion. Incorrect

C. The first is an intermediate conclusion and there are two conclusions in the argument. Incorrect

D. The first is NOT the main conclusion. The second is NOT a conclusion. Incorrect

E. The first is an intermediate conclusion and second is premise supporting main conclusion. It matches our pre-thinking. Correct

IMO E
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 24 Dec 2025, 00:18
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BF 1- This increase is probably attributable to plastic bag litter
BF 2- plastic bags often end up in the ocean, where turtles mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them

A. second is not main conclusion
B. second is not conclusion of any sort
C. first part could be right but second is not to support the main conclusion. it rather supports the BF 1.
D. first is not main conclusion.
E. this summarise perfectly.

ans is E
Bunuel
Lena: Single-use plastic bags should be banned in our state’s coastal towns. Over the last several years, the number of dead sea turtles found on local beaches has risen sharply. This increase is probably attributable, at least in part, to plastic bag litter. The use of plastic bags by shoppers has been growing steadily. Plastic bags often end up in the ocean, where turtles mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them.

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

A. The first is a conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the second; the second is the main conclusion drawn in the argument.
B. The first is a premise offered to support the second; the second is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion.
C. The first is a premise offered to support the only conclusion drawn in the argument; so is the second.
D. The first is the main conclusion drawn in the argument; the second is another conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the first.
E. The first is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion; the second is a premise offered to support the first.

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 24 Dec 2025, 01:10
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Conclusion: Single use plastic bags should be banned in our state’s coastal towns.
BF 1: Intermediary Conclusion
BF 2: Premise/ Support for the intermediary conclusion

Lets evaluate the options:
A, D: BF1 or BF2 are not the main conclusion of the passage. Thus, Incorrect.
B, C: BF1 is not a premise, a premise cannot have the word “probably”.

Thus, Option E is the correct answer.
Bunuel
Lena: Single-use plastic bags should be banned in our state’s coastal towns. Over the last several years, the number of dead sea turtles found on local beaches has risen sharply. This increase is probably attributable, at least in part, to plastic bag litter. The use of plastic bags by shoppers has been growing steadily. Plastic bags often end up in the ocean, where turtles mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them.

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

A. The first is a conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the second; the second is the main conclusion drawn in the argument.
B. The first is a premise offered to support the second; the second is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion.
C. The first is a premise offered to support the only conclusion drawn in the argument; so is the second.
D. The first is the main conclusion drawn in the argument; the second is another conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the first.
E. The first is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion; the second is a premise offered to support the first.

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 24 Dec 2025, 02:26
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From the passage the main conclusion is that plastic bags should be banned in coastal towns
Bold1 This is an intermediate conclusion that supports the main conclusion
Bold 2 . This is supporting premise for the intermediate and eventually the final conclusion
Only choice E aligns with the above setup
Bunuel
Lena: Single-use plastic bags should be banned in our state’s coastal towns. Over the last several years, the number of dead sea turtles found on local beaches has risen sharply. This increase is probably attributable, at least in part, to plastic bag litter. The use of plastic bags by shoppers has been growing steadily. Plastic bags often end up in the ocean, where turtles mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them.

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

A. The first is a conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the second; the second is the main conclusion drawn in the argument.
B. The first is a premise offered to support the second; the second is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion.
C. The first is a premise offered to support the only conclusion drawn in the argument; so is the second.
D. The first is the main conclusion drawn in the argument; the second is another conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the first.
E. The first is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion; the second is a premise offered to support the first.

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 24 Dec 2025, 02:44
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Let's extrapolate the conclusion of the text provided:

The main conclusion is the first sentence: Single use plastic bags should be banned in coastal towns.
Why?
Because the number of dead turtles has risen sharply.

The 2 bold sentences both are premises which support the main conclusion, because they give a reason on why plastic bags should be banned in coastal towns.

Hence IMO C!
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 24 Dec 2025, 02:56
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Bunuel
Lena: Single-use plastic bags should be banned in our state’s coastal towns. Over the last several years, the number of dead sea turtles found on local beaches has risen sharply. This increase is probably attributable, at least in part, to plastic bag litter. The use of plastic bags by shoppers has been growing steadily. Plastic bags often end up in the ocean, where turtles mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them.

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

A. The first is a conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the second; the second is the main conclusion drawn in the argument.
B. The first is a premise offered to support the second; the second is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion.
C. The first is a premise offered to support the only conclusion drawn in the argument; so is the second.
D. The first is the main conclusion drawn in the argument; the second is another conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the first.
E. The first is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion; the second is a premise offered to support the first.

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The question begins with a stated CONCLUSION : Single use plastic bags should be banned in our states coastal towns.

The supporting evidence is : Over the last several years, the number of Dead Sea turtles found on local beaches has risen sharply.

This is followed by BF1: The increases are partly attributed to plastic bag litter. This supports the main conclusion.

The next line mentions about number of plastic bag shoppers that have increased. While means the litter might also increase.

The BF2 explains, the Plastic bags are mistaken for jelly fish and ingested by turtles.

This BF2 in turn supports the view of BF1 (which is not the main conclusion, but can be the INTERMEDIATE CONCLUSION ).

A) Wrong - BF2 is not the main conclusion. But actually a premise supporting the BF1, it’s not the other way around.

B) BF1 is not a premise, but an intermediate conclusion. Secondly, BF2 is a premise supporting the BF1, while BF2 is not a conclusion. Hence, Wrong.

C) BF1 is used to support the only conclusion in the passage. Actually, there is an intermediate conclusion also, hence wrong. Actually, it’s BF2 supporting BF1 , which in turn supports the main conclusion.

D) BF1 is not the main conclusion, but one of the conclusions. Secondly, BF2 is a premise supporting BF1. Hence, Wrong.

E) This is the correct answer . Main conclusion is supported by BF1 , which is supported by the premise BF2.

Option E
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 24 Dec 2025, 03:04
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The first sentence is the main conclusion of the argument.

A. The first is a conclusion, but it receives support from the second, not the other way around. And second is not the main conclusion.
B. The first is not a premise.
C. Again, the first is not a premise.
D. The first is not the main conclusion. It is an intermediary conclusion, which receives support from the second. And the second is premise.
E. Yes, this is correct.

Option E.
Bunuel
Lena: Single-use plastic bags should be banned in our state’s coastal towns. Over the last several years, the number of dead sea turtles found on local beaches has risen sharply. This increase is probably attributable, at least in part, to plastic bag litter. The use of plastic bags by shoppers has been growing steadily. Plastic bags often end up in the ocean, where turtles mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them.

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

A. The first is a conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the second; the second is the main conclusion drawn in the argument.
B. The first is a premise offered to support the second; the second is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion.
C. The first is a premise offered to support the only conclusion drawn in the argument; so is the second.
D. The first is the main conclusion drawn in the argument; the second is another conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the first.
E. The first is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion; the second is a premise offered to support the first.

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 24 Dec 2025, 03:11
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Main conclusion - Single use plastics should be banned

Interim conclusion - the increase in the number of dead sea turtles is atleast in part due to the plastics

Fact given - plastics ingested by turtles (last sentence)

A) & D) have chosen the wrong statements as the main conclusion

B) second is not a conclusion, it is just a fact given

C) both the statements are not premises; first is an interim conclusion and more an opinion of the author

E) CORRECT - the first is indeed a conclusion and not the main conclusion, the second is a fact given to strengthen this interim conclusion
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 24 Dec 2025, 03:44
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IMO E
Because the main conclusion here i feel is "Single-use plastic bags should be banned in our state’s coastal towns."
Two boldfaces are--
“This increase is probably attributable, at least in part, to plastic bag litter.”
this one is an intermediate concl.

“Plastic bags often end up in the ocean, where turtles mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them.”
and this one offers evidence

Correct answer: E

WhyI feel the others are wrong

A:First is a conclusion that supports the second; second is the main conclusion.

The second boldface is not a conclusion at all, it’s a factual premise.


B: First is a premise supporting the second; second is a conclusion.

The first boldface is not a premise, it draws an inference (“probably attributable”).
Premise/conclusion roles flipped.

C:Both are premises supporting the only conclusion.

The first boldface is not a premise; it’s a conclusion.

D:First is the main conclusion; second is another conclusion supporting it.
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 24 Dec 2025, 04:30
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Boldface is a gift this competition keeps on giving ;) but I do think I'm on the naughty list then.

Let's dissect this paragraph.

Lena says,

"Single-use plastic bags should be banned in our state's coastal towns. (1)

Over the last years, the number of dead sea turtles found on our local beaches has risen sharply. (2)

This increase is probably attributable, at least in part, to plastic bag litter. (3)


The first statement is quite definite - it has a "should be done" aspect to it. It seems Lena's conclusion, appearing right at the start of the statement.

The second statement is an observation, or even a premise or evidence, as Lena may link it soon enough to what this has to do with plastic bags.

The third statement, the boldface I, is less definite than statement I, but it answers a question, "why does this happen?" by saying "this is why this happens". It's a conclusion alright, but its role might be better spelled once we read the options.


Lena continues,

"The use of plastic bags by shoppers has been growing steadily (4)

Plastic bags often end up in the ocean, where turtles mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them" (5)

The fourth statement is yet another observation - more premise than evidence, but evidential for sure - supporting the argument highlighted in the first and the third statements.

The fifth statement, Boldface II, is a stronger premise, partly factual and observational, but mostly supporting the argument highlighted in the first and third statement.


With these thoughts, clearly, option E is the right option.

But why are the others wrong?

Option A: The Boldface I may be a conclusion, but it doesn't play second-fiddle to what this choice presumes is main conclusion in boldface II; Boldface II is definitely not the main conclusion. It's the very definition of a strong supporting statement.

Option B: Firstly, the second supports the first boldface - that too partly - while supporting Statement I outside of the boldfaces, the most; secondly, it's not a premise as it's - while not that confident - a conclusive statement.

Option C: There's a second conclusion and it's Boldface 1, so eliminate. The second Boldface is correct, but we need both to be correct.

Option D: A conclusion is strong, independent, sweeping - if I may - and definite. This is what Statement I is, so doesn't work for the main conclusion. The second isn't a separate conclusion anyway.

Only E stands.

Bunuel
Lena: Single-use plastic bags should be banned in our state’s coastal towns. Over the last several years, the number of dead sea turtles found on local beaches has risen sharply. This increase is probably attributable, at least in part, to plastic bag litter. The use of plastic bags by shoppers has been growing steadily. Plastic bags often end up in the ocean, where turtles mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them.

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

A. The first is a conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the second; the second is the main conclusion drawn in the argument.
B. The first is a premise offered to support the second; the second is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion.
C. The first is a premise offered to support the only conclusion drawn in the argument; so is the second.
D. The first is the main conclusion drawn in the argument; the second is another conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the first.
E. The first is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion; the second is a premise offered to support the first.

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arnab24
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 24 Dec 2025, 05:03
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The main conclusion of the argument is Single-use plastic bags should be banned in our state's coastal towns. Intermediate conclusion is played by first bold statement which is This increase is probably attributable ,at least in part , to plastic bag litter. It is getting support from Plastic bags often end up in the ocean , where turtles mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them. Let's now evaluate options:

(A) It's incorrect since second is not the main conclusion.
(B) First is not providing support to second. So this option is incorrect.
(C) There are many conclusions present and the first is not supporting the only conclusion. So it's incorrect option.
(D)Second is not another conclusion. It's only acting as premise. So it's incorrect option.
(E)This is correct since first is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion and the second is a premise offered to support the first. Bingo

So , E is the correct answer :)
Bunuel
Lena: Single-use plastic bags should be banned in our state’s coastal towns. Over the last several years, the number of dead sea turtles found on local beaches has risen sharply. This increase is probably attributable, at least in part, to plastic bag litter. The use of plastic bags by shoppers has been growing steadily. Plastic bags often end up in the ocean, where turtles mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them.

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

A. The first is a conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the second; the second is the main conclusion drawn in the argument.
B. The first is a premise offered to support the second; the second is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion.
C. The first is a premise offered to support the only conclusion drawn in the argument; so is the second.
D. The first is the main conclusion drawn in the argument; the second is another conclusion for which support is offered, and itself is offered to support the first.
E. The first is a conclusion drawn in the argument but not the main conclusion; the second is a premise offered to support the first.

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 24 Dec 2025, 06:08
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paragraph conclusion is a single-use plastic bag should be banned in our state's coastal town.
A. this is more of a premise than a conclusion.
B. ythis fit both the conclusion and premise
C. this shows that both are a premises insted of the second being a conclusion.
D. States that the first is the main conclusion hence not being chosen.
E. Shows that the first is a conclusion which is wrong
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: Lena: Single-use 24 Dec 2025, 06:18
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The correct answer is E. The first statement is a conclusion ad the second is a a premise
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