If you climb mountains, you will not live to a ripe old age. But you w

Question

If you climb mountains, you will not live to a ripe old age. But you will be bored unless you climb mountains. Therefore, if you live to a ripe old age, you will have been bored.

Which one of the following most closely parallels the reasoning in the argument above?

(A) If you do not try to swim, you will not learn how to swim. But you will not be safe in boats if you do not learn how to swim. Therefore, you must try to swim.

(B) If you do not play golf, you will not enjoy the weekend. But you will be tired next week unless you relax during the weekend. Therefore, to enjoy the weekend, you will have to relax by playing golf.

(C) If you work for your candidate, you will not improve your guitar playing. But you will neglect your civic duty unless you work for your candidate. Therefore, if you improve your guitar playing, you will have neglected your civic duty.

(D) If you do not train, you will not be a good athlete. But you will become exhausted easily unless you train. Therefore, if you train, you will not have become exhausted easily.

(E) If you spend all of your money, you will not become wealthy. But you will become hungry unless you spend all of your money. Therefore, if you become wealthy, you will not become hungry.

jpan · Answer

IMO answer is B.
Question has the following method or arguing: 
If A, then no B. But if no A then C. Thus, if B then C. 
Only B follows this kind of method. 
E comes close but says, If M, then not W. But if no M, then H. Thus if W, no H.

Akshay517 · Answer

I could eliminate A,C and D. Can anyone explain which choice is right , B or E ?

DinoPen · Answer

I chose C.
The logic is the following:

Not bored > climb mountains > Not live old age
Therefore, old age> bored (negate the above)

Option C parallels this logic:
Won't neglect civic duty> work for candidate > not improve guitar
Therefore, improve guitar playing > neglect civic duty (same negation

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

In this question we get more practice with formal logic in the form of a Parallel Reasoning question. Since the stimulus is made up of short formal logic statements, we can symbolize the logic algebraically to help us in our work. If X (you climb mountains) then not Y (reach old age). Z (you will be bored) unless X (you climb mountains). Therefore, if Y (you reach old age), then Z (you will be bored). Our answer must then be of the form: “If X, then not Y. Z unless X. Therefore, if Y, then Z.” Let’s check each one:

(A) and (B)  both begin with “if not X, then not Y,” which doesn’t match the original. Furthermore,  (A)  concludes with a mandate (“you must try to swim”) which is off base as well.

(C)  If X (work for your candidate), then not Y (improve your guitar playing). Z (neglect your civil duty) unless X (work for your candidate). So far, so good. Therefore, if Y (improve your guitar playing) then Z (neglect your civil duty). A perfect match.

(D), like (A) and (B) , begins with “if not X, then not Y,” so we can cross it off quickly.  (E)  starts out okay with “if X then not Y,” and then follows with Z unless X. So far, so good. But the last statement, “if Y, then not Z” isn’t parallel, so  (E)  is out.

Answer: C

Hope it helps

VerbalBot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club VerbalBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.

If you climb mountains, you will not live to a ripe old age. But you w

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

If you climb mountains, you will not live to a ripe old age. But you w

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