Last visit was: 24 Apr 2026, 12:14 It is currently 24 Apr 2026, 12:14
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
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.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
Back to Forum
Create Topic
655-705 (Hard)|   Inference|      
User avatar
CrackVerbal
User avatar
CrackVerbal Representative
Joined: 22 Apr 2019
Last visit: 15 Dec 2020
Posts: 100
Own Kudos:
355
 [15]
Given Kudos: 27
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 100
Kudos: 355
 [15]
Massive layoffs are expected to happen if the VP of Finance is 26 Mar 2020, 05:27
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
12
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
00:00
Start Timer
Pause Timer
Resume Timer
Show Answer
Hide
Show
History
E
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!

Difficulty:

55% (hard)

Question Stats:

59% (01:35) correct 41% (01:39) wrong based on 867 sessions

History

Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Massive layoffs are expected to happen if the VP of Finance is promoted as the CEO of Transcorp. The company is likely to be split if the VP of Operations is promoted to CEO instead. The VP of Finance and the VP of Operations are the only two strong contenders from within Transcorp for the CEO position.

Given the statements in the passage, which one of the following statements must be true?

    (A) Transcorp will certainly have to face either massive layoffs or a split.
    (B) If massive layoffs happen at Transcorp, the VP of Finance would have become its CEO.
    (C) If massive layoffs do not happen, then the VP of Operations would have become the CEO of Transcorp.
    (D) If both massive layoffs and a split happen, then the CEO of Transcorp would be neither the VP of Finance nor the VP of Operations.
    (E) It is possible that Transcorp will neither see massive layoffs nor be split.

ShowHide Answer
Official Answer
E
avatar
zeeshankhan1608
avatar
Joined: 01 Apr 2020
Last visit: 22 Apr 2022
Posts: 2
Own Kudos:
2
 [2]
Given Kudos: 115
Posts: 2
Kudos: 2
 [2]
Massive layoffs are expected to happen if the VP of Finance is 03 Apr 2020, 08:00
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
According to me, the answer option could be either C or E ( E most likely)

Here is the reason :-

Question stimulus doesn't use the words like SHOULD or MUST. Everywhere it says probably.

Hence

(C) INCORRECT because it says negator massive layoff implies CEO SHOULD BE VP OPERATIONS. However, it is only probable or possible.

(E) CORRECT as it uses the word POSSIBLE.

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
Bangravi2711
User avatar
Joined: 01 Feb 2020
Last visit: 02 Jun 2021
Posts: 14
Own Kudos:
12
Given Kudos: 36
Posts: 14
Kudos: 12
Massive layoffs are expected to happen if the VP of Finance is 11 Apr 2020, 07:12
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
zeeshankhan1608
According to me, the answer option could be either C or E ( E most likely)

Here is the reason :-

Question stimulus doesn't use the words like SHOULD or MUST. Everywhere it says probably.

Hence

(C) INCORRECT because it says negator massive layoff implies CEO SHOULD BE VP OPERATIONS. However, it is only probable or possible.

(E) CORRECT as it uses the word POSSIBLE.

Posted from my mobile device
Show more


According to me , the correct answer should be option A . Because here we are presented with the possibilities of VP of Finance or Operation to become the CEO of Transcorp Co. But here we have the asuurance that these two are the ONLY strong contenders of the position of the CEO of the Co. So it can be either of them getting (or probably being) selected as the CEO . We cannot tilt on any of the sides (of Operations or Finance ) , contenders of becoming the CEO . It can be any of them.
So what is assured in this case , and what can be properly inferred , is either of them becoming or the event happening( i.e layoffs or splits).
avatar
nishantgauragmat
avatar
Joined: 01 May 2018
Last visit: 13 Apr 2021
Posts: 6
Own Kudos:
2
 [1]
Given Kudos: 25
Posts: 6
Kudos: 2
 [1]
Massive layoffs are expected to happen if the VP of Finance is 12 Apr 2020, 02:48
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
BenCrackVerbal Please share the explanation.
User avatar
gmat1102
User avatar
Joined: 12 Dec 2019
Last visit: 22 Oct 2021
Posts: 120
Own Kudos:
39
 [2]
Given Kudos: 13
Location: India
Schools: LBS '24
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V34
Schools: LBS '24
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V34
Posts: 120
Kudos: 39
 [2]
Massive layoffs are expected to happen if the VP of Finance is 12 Apr 2020, 04:02
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
BenCrackVerbal
Massive layoffs are expected to happen if the VP of Finance is promoted as the CEO of Transcorp. The company is likely to be split if the VP of Operations is promoted to CEO instead. The VP of Finance and the VP of Operations are the only two strong contenders from within Transcorp for the CEO position.

Given the statements in the passage, which one of the following statements must be true?

    (A) Transcorp will certainly have to face either massive layoffs or a split.
    (B) If massive layoffs happen at Transcorp, the VP of Finance would have become its CEO.
    (C) If massive layoffs do not happen, then the VP of Operations would have become the CEO of Transcorp.
    (D) If both massive layoffs and a split happen, then the CEO of Transcorp would be neither the VP of Finance nor the VP of Operations.
    (E) It is possible that Transcorp will neither see massive layoffs nor be split.

Show more


Question Type - Inference

Fact 1: VP(F) becomes CEO - Effect 1
Fact 2: VP(O) becomes CEO - Effect 2
Fact 3: CEO Contenders from within the org. are VP(F) and VP(O)

For Inference questions, the answer choice must be true.
(A) Transcorp will certainly have to face either massive layoffs or a split.
Here the author will have to assume that someone from the organization becomes a CEO.

(B) If massive layoffs happen at Transcorp, the VP of Finance would have become its CEO.
If VP(F) becomes CEO -> Layoffs is the effect.

Other way round, is not true.


(C) If massive layoffs do not happen, then the VP of Operations would have become the CEO of Transcorp.
Same as B.


(D) If both massive layoffs and a split happen, then the CEO of Transcorp would be neither the VP of Finance nor the VP of Operations.
Information is not provided to support this.


(E) It is possible that Transcorp will neither see massive layoffs nor be split.
Fact3 supports this option and hence the answer.
User avatar
raunakd11
User avatar
Joined: 30 Jan 2020
Last visit: 25 Nov 2020
Posts: 139
Own Kudos:
157
Given Kudos: 143
Location: India
Schools: ISB YLP 2020 NUS '23
GPA: 4
Schools: ISB YLP 2020 NUS '23
Posts: 139
Kudos: 157
Massive layoffs are expected to happen if the VP of Finance is 15 May 2020, 02:27
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello BenCrackVerbal,
Kindly help me understand this.
I am stuck between Opts A and E

Thanks
User avatar
AshutoshB
User avatar
Joined: 07 Dec 2017
Last visit: 16 Jan 2022
Posts: 322
Own Kudos:
2,320
Given Kudos: 348
GMAT 1: 650 Q50 V28
GMAT 2: 720 Q49 V40
Products:
My Reviews
GMAT 2: 720 Q49 V40
Posts: 322
Kudos: 2,320
Massive layoffs are expected to happen if the VP of Finance is 19 May 2020, 00:43
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
raunakd11
Hello BenCrackVerbal,
Kindly help me understand this.
I am stuck between Opts A and E

Thanks
Show more

Hi raunakd11,

I thought I can help you in understanding the split

(A) Transcorp will certainly have to face either massive layoffs or a split. INCORRECT because if you look carefully at the words you will find the disguised word "The VP of Finance and the VP of Operations are the only two strong contenders from within Transcorp for the CEO position"

Based on the above-highlighted word( Within) it means the company is not excluding the possibility that CEO might be from outside the Transcrop, it is saying that these two people are the only contender from within the company

(E) It is possible that Transcorp will neither see massive layoffs nor be split. CORRECT


DM if you have any queries.I would love to help :)
avatar
GMAT0010
avatar
Joined: 17 Sep 2019
Last visit: 08 Dec 2022
Posts: 104
Own Kudos:
56
Given Kudos: 516
GMAT 1: 710 Q49 V38
GMAT 2: 680 Q49 V33
GMAT 2: 680 Q49 V33
Posts: 104
Kudos: 56
Massive layoffs are expected to happen if the VP of Finance is 25 Jun 2020, 08:42
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
CrackVerbal
Massive layoffs are expected to happen if the VP of Finance is promoted as the CEO of Transcorp. The company is likely to be split if the VP of Operations is promoted to CEO instead. The VP of Finance and the VP of Operations are the only two strong contenders from within Transcorp for the CEO position.

Given the statements in the passage, which one of the following statements must be true?

    (A) Transcorp will certainly have to face either massive layoffs or a split.
    (B) If massive layoffs happen at Transcorp, the VP of Finance would have become its CEO.
    (C) If massive layoffs do not happen, then the VP of Operations would have become the CEO of Transcorp.
    (D) If both massive layoffs and a split happen, then the CEO of Transcorp would be neither the VP of Finance nor the VP of Operations.
    (E) It is possible that Transcorp will neither see massive layoffs nor be split.

Show more

Hi,
From the above:
1. Layoffs->VP F becomes CEO
2.Split-> VPO becomes CEO
There's something very subtle in this argument: These two are the ones within the company. So what if the company hires someone outside of the company?
Going through the options:
Option A: Too easy.. Very obvious.. It's a trap.
Option B: Correlation does not lead to causality
Option C:Similar to B
Option D: Eliminate this. If we negate this, the argument will not break.
Option E: This fits!!
Hope this helps!
:D
User avatar
NikhilST
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 25 Oct 2018
Last visit: 27 Sep 2023
Posts: 31
Own Kudos:
7
Given Kudos: 46
Location: India
Schools: Bocconi (WA)
GMAT 1: 680 Q45 V38
GPA: 3.42
Schools: Bocconi (WA)
GMAT 1: 680 Q45 V38
Posts: 31
Kudos: 7
Massive layoffs are expected to happen if the VP of Finance is 29 Jun 2020, 09:19
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
CrackVerbal
Massive layoffs are expected to happen if the VP of Finance is promoted as the CEO of Transcorp. The company is likely to be split if the VP of Operations is promoted to CEO instead. The VP of Finance and the VP of Operations are the only two strong contenders from within Transcorp for the CEO position.

Given the statements in the passage, which one of the following statements must be true?

    (A) Transcorp will certainly have to face either massive layoffs or a split.
    (B) If massive layoffs happen at Transcorp, the VP of Finance would have become its CEO.
    (C) If massive layoffs do not happen, then the VP of Operations would have become the CEO of Transcorp.
    (D) If both massive layoffs and a split happen, then the CEO of Transcorp would be neither the VP of Finance nor the VP of Operations.
    (E) It is possible that Transcorp will neither see massive layoffs nor be split.

Show more

Hello

A) Option A talks about a certainty. The two candidates mentioned are the 'ONLY TWO STRONG CANDIDATES'. Now, this does not mean they are the ONLY two candidates. Now this makes it very difficult to predict what might happen if a third (less likely) candidate wins! Hence, eliminate A.
B) I think the word EXPECTED plays a massive role here. It is, once again, not a certainty that the layoffs will happen VP (F) becomes the CEO. Hence, eliminate B.
C) There is a word in the argument 'LIKELY'. Same reasoning to eliminate C as mentioned in B.
D) This we cannot be sure, maybe VP (F) goes nuts and does both, or vice-versa.
E) POE got me here. Plus the above reasons should suffice one to get to this point.

Hope my explanation helps!
User avatar
Keerthana__
User avatar
Joined: 05 Mar 2024
Last visit: 04 Aug 2024
Posts: 1
Given Kudos: 10
Posts: 1
Kudos: 0
Massive layoffs are expected to happen if the VP of Finance is 25 Jun 2024, 23:27
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
couldn't get still why option a Is wrong
User avatar
VerbalBot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 01 Oct 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 19,425
Own Kudos:
1,010
Posts: 19,425
Kudos: 1,010
Massive layoffs are expected to happen if the VP of Finance is 24 Jan 2026, 17:51
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
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.
Moderators:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7391 posts
AbhishekP220108
504 posts
bhanu29
358 posts