It has been over 30 years since a manned mission to the moon. But now,

Question

It has been over 30 years since a manned mission to the moon. But now, scientists are planning to place a research station on the south pole of the moon to gather data on the moon’s seismic activity and weather patterns. The research station will be completed and launched in two years, so humans will once again walk on the moon.

Which of the following statements, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

A. The information gathered by the lunar research station could also be acquired by placing a satellite into orbit over the moon.

B. The lunar research instruments are part of a module that will be launched into space and parachute onto the moon’s surface.

C. Advances in technology have reduced the chances of a space flight disaster to half of the levels they were 30 years ago.

D. The instruments on the lunar research station are so complex that a human technician is required to fix them if they malfunction.

E. Although the research station will use solar power, researchers expect that the instruments will operate for no more than five years.

Source:   Mcgraw Hill GMAT  
Difficulty Level:   700

aishwarya4391 · Answer

Conclusion :- Man will walk the moon on the given mission

Premises :- Last lunar manned mission 30 years ago; Scientists plan to place research satellite on South Pole of moon to gather data

Options C, D,E can be negated at first look since they do not concern the argument raised

Option A talks about gathering data by placing satellite in the moon's orbit, which is not the question at hand since the argument concludes that man will have to walk on moon's surface of the conditions mentioned in premise have to be fulfilled

Option B mentions an alternate reasoning/way which will not require man walking on moon but satisfies condition of the premises.
Hence, B is a decent option

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goforgmat · Answer

Conclusion : humans will once again walk on the moon.

Assumption : Humans will be required to gather data or operate machines that gather data walking on the moon in the process.
In order to weaken we need to prove that humans wont be required to operate or gather data .
Only option B states that. hence correct.
option A is a trap. we are concerned with what happens when there is a space station not when there is not!

TheNightKing · Answer

I still cannot reject A.

It seems fine to me.

I don't get how option B removes the human aspect out of the equation.

Please help!

ganeshps77 · Answer

option A is correct. If true it completely negates the need for man for walk the moon and weakens the argument

Option B, E - DO NOT clearly negate the need of humans for the need of on moon

Option C and D:- strengthen the argument that man can safely walk moons surface again or that humans are required for the mission

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Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

This is a weaken question. The conclusion and the premises are:

Premises:   Scientists are planning to place a research station on the south pole of the moon to gather data on the moon’s seismic activity and weather patterns; the research station will be completed and launched in two years.

Conclusion:   Humans will once again walk on the moon.

This argument assumes that placing a research station on the moon’s south pole will require a person to walk on the moon. So you should find an answer that attacks this assumption.

Choice B  indicates that the research station can be launched to the moon and parachute down, so it doesn’t need a person to land on the moon in order to set it up.

Choice A  is not relevant because it doesn’t address the connection between the research station and walking on the moon.

If anything,  choices C and D  make it more likely that humans will walk on the moon, not less likely.

Choice E  is not relevant to the argument.

Answer: B.

fireagablast · Answer

Still not sure how this isn't or can't also be option A.
Option A contradicts the argument for a research station outright. There isn't a need for a research station and there isn't a need for people to walk on the moon.
Option B says instruments will be parachuted to the moon, but what does that have anything to do with the assembly of the station or it's operation?

Official answer says that B indicates the research station can be launched to the moon, but option B doesn't say that..it only says research instruments.
Official answer says A isn't relevant to the connection between the station and walking on the moon, even though it fully contradicts the need for a station on walking on the moon.

It has been over 30 years since a manned mission to the moon. But now,

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It has been over 30 years since a manned mission to the moon. But now,

Prep Toolkit

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