by: Bunuel
25 mins
by: Bunuel
25 mins
Events & Promotions
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Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
65%
(hard)
Question Stats:
56% (01:49) correct
44%
(01:50)
wrong
based on 939
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Patricia: During Japan's Tokugawa period, martial arts experts known as ninjas were trained for the purposes of espionage and assassination. Yet at that time there was actually very little ninja activity in Japan, and most Japanese did not fear ninjas.
Tamara: That is not true. Many wealthy Japanese during the Tokugawa period had their houses constructed with intentionally squeaky floors so that they would receive warning if a ninja were in the house.
Of the following, which one, if true, is the strongest counter Patricia can make to Tamara's objection?
(A) Many poor Japanese during the Tokugawa period also had houses constructed with intentionally squeaky floors.
(B) As part of their secret training, ninjas learned to walk on squeaky floors without making a sound.
(C) The wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population during the Tokugawa period.
(D) The fighting prowess of ninjas was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the years following the Tokugawa period.
(E) There were very few ninjas at any time other than during the Tokugawa period.
Tamara: That is not true. Many wealthy Japanese during the Tokugawa period had their houses constructed with intentionally squeaky floors so that they would receive warning if a ninja were in the house.
Of the following, which one, if true, is the strongest counter Patricia can make to Tamara's objection?
(A) Many poor Japanese during the Tokugawa period also had houses constructed with intentionally squeaky floors.
(B) As part of their secret training, ninjas learned to walk on squeaky floors without making a sound.
(C) The wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population during the Tokugawa period.
(D) The fighting prowess of ninjas was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the years following the Tokugawa period.
(E) There were very few ninjas at any time other than during the Tokugawa period.
IMO C.
Pat has concluded her statement by saying that Japanese did not fear ninjas despite of the fact that ninjas were trained assassins.
Tam is opposing pat by saying that it's not true. Now what's not true? that Japanese were not fearing Ninjas.
And she goes on giving an example of wealthy people and the roof of their houses, doubting that atleast few people(wealthy ones) were fearing Ninjas.
Now, what should Pat say to highlight the flaw in Tam's statement?
Pre thinking:
Clearly Tam has taken a small sample of wealthy people and based on that she is concluding that Japanese were fearing Ninjas. So Pam will say huh.....Wealthy people were just 1% of total population so based on that you can't conclude that most of the Japanese were fearing Ninjas.
(A) Many poor Japanese during the Tokugawa period also had houses constructed with intentionally squeaky floors.
--This one is sneaky as it's making you believe that Since poor people also made the squeaky roofs, the similar roofs made by rich people doesn't guarantee that Japanese were fearing Ninjas. But at the same time it's also possible that even poor people were afraid of Ninjas and therefore they made the squeaky roofs. Out.
(B) As part of their secret training, ninjas learned to walk on squeaky floors without making a sound.
--This one is another great option. This one says that Ninjas could walk on squeaky floors without making any sound and therefore making you believe that ohh...since Ninjas can walk on squeaky floors that means wealthy people wasted their money in making the squeaky floors as Ninjas would enter their houses any ways and therefore Tam is wrong. But, here is the catch. This statement is not proving that Japanese were not afraid of Ninjas. If I tell you Ninjas could break in even if you have ninja proof floor, then you will become more afraid of ninjas...correct. So this option is not correct.
(C) The wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population during the Tokugawa period.
This one matches our pre thinking. Hence it's correct.
(D) The fighting prowess of ninjas was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the years following the Tokugawa period.
--Not relevant really
(E) There were very few ninjas at any time other than during the Tokugawa period.
--Count of Ninjas was not an issue.
Pat has concluded her statement by saying that Japanese did not fear ninjas despite of the fact that ninjas were trained assassins.
Tam is opposing pat by saying that it's not true. Now what's not true? that Japanese were not fearing Ninjas.
And she goes on giving an example of wealthy people and the roof of their houses, doubting that atleast few people(wealthy ones) were fearing Ninjas.
Now, what should Pat say to highlight the flaw in Tam's statement?
Pre thinking:
Clearly Tam has taken a small sample of wealthy people and based on that she is concluding that Japanese were fearing Ninjas. So Pam will say huh.....Wealthy people were just 1% of total population so based on that you can't conclude that most of the Japanese were fearing Ninjas.
(A) Many poor Japanese during the Tokugawa period also had houses constructed with intentionally squeaky floors.
--This one is sneaky as it's making you believe that Since poor people also made the squeaky roofs, the similar roofs made by rich people doesn't guarantee that Japanese were fearing Ninjas. But at the same time it's also possible that even poor people were afraid of Ninjas and therefore they made the squeaky roofs. Out.
(B) As part of their secret training, ninjas learned to walk on squeaky floors without making a sound.
--This one is another great option. This one says that Ninjas could walk on squeaky floors without making any sound and therefore making you believe that ohh...since Ninjas can walk on squeaky floors that means wealthy people wasted their money in making the squeaky floors as Ninjas would enter their houses any ways and therefore Tam is wrong. But, here is the catch. This statement is not proving that Japanese were not afraid of Ninjas. If I tell you Ninjas could break in even if you have ninja proof floor, then you will become more afraid of ninjas...correct. So this option is not correct.
(C) The wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population during the Tokugawa period.
This one matches our pre thinking. Hence it's correct.
(D) The fighting prowess of ninjas was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the years following the Tokugawa period.
--Not relevant really
(E) There were very few ninjas at any time other than during the Tokugawa period.
--Count of Ninjas was not an issue.
General Discussion
We are looking for an answer that would weaken Tamara's argument.
(A) Many poor Japanese during the Tokugawa period also had houses constructed with intentionally squeaky floors.
Wealthy versus poor is not relevant to Tamara's argument.
(B) As part of their secret training, ninjas learned to walk on squeaky floors without making a sound.
Yes, this shows that if they had squeaky floors for this purpose, then it didn't work.
Or another way to weaken her argument would e to show that the squeaky floors were installed for another reason and not because of a perceived threat from ninjas.
(C) The wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population during the Tokugawa period.
This doesn't weaken the argument on whether they perceived ninjas as a threat at that period.
(D) The fighting prowess of ninjas was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the years following the Tokugawa period.
This doesn't address the plan to combat the threat from ninjas.
(E) There were very few ninjas at any time other than during the Tokugawa period.
Number of ninjas is not an issue highlighted in the passage.
Answer = B
(A) Many poor Japanese during the Tokugawa period also had houses constructed with intentionally squeaky floors.
Wealthy versus poor is not relevant to Tamara's argument.
(B) As part of their secret training, ninjas learned to walk on squeaky floors without making a sound.
Yes, this shows that if they had squeaky floors for this purpose, then it didn't work.
Or another way to weaken her argument would e to show that the squeaky floors were installed for another reason and not because of a perceived threat from ninjas.
(C) The wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population during the Tokugawa period.
This doesn't weaken the argument on whether they perceived ninjas as a threat at that period.
(D) The fighting prowess of ninjas was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the years following the Tokugawa period.
This doesn't address the plan to combat the threat from ninjas.
(E) There were very few ninjas at any time other than during the Tokugawa period.
Number of ninjas is not an issue highlighted in the passage.
Answer = B
mSKR
Joined: 14 Aug 2019
Last visit: 10 Mar 2024
Posts: 1,202
Location: Hong Kong
Concentration: Strategy, Marketing
Schools: IE (A) IIML-IPMX '22 (A) HKUST '22
GMAT 1: 650 Q49 V29
GPA: 3.81
(A) Many poor Japanese during the Tokugawa period also had houses constructed with intentionally squeaky floors.
Weaken the patricia house( because in option it mentioned about squeaky floors which would receive warnings) – so reject
(B) As part of their secret training, ninjas learned to walk on squeaky floors without making a sound.
Irrelevant: how they learnt
(C) The wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population during the Tokugawa period.
Even wealthy were aware, still they made a less percentage of population,
So it keeps Tamara argument valid and keep Patricial argument also valid
(D) The fighting prowess of ninjas was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the years following the Tokugawa period.
irrelevant
(E) There were very few ninjas at any time other than during the Tokugawa period.
It doesn’t matter how many were they
Weaken the patricia house( because in option it mentioned about squeaky floors which would receive warnings) – so reject
(B) As part of their secret training, ninjas learned to walk on squeaky floors without making a sound.
Irrelevant: how they learnt
(C) The wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population during the Tokugawa period.
Even wealthy were aware, still they made a less percentage of population,
So it keeps Tamara argument valid and keep Patricial argument also valid
(D) The fighting prowess of ninjas was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the years following the Tokugawa period.
irrelevant
(E) There were very few ninjas at any time other than during the Tokugawa period.
It doesn’t matter how many were they
Schools: Kenan-Flagler'23 (D)
Posts: 108
44 seconds, wealthy = not the majority!
Sapnilbhatnagar
Joined: 28 Jun 2020
Last visit: 12 Apr 2022
Posts: 46
Location: India
Schools: Smurfit Darden '23
GMAT 1: 660 Q48 V33
GPA: 3.5
(A) Many poor Japanese during the Tokugawa period also had houses constructed with intentionally squeaky floors.
-No Distinction of wealthy and poor in Argument - OUT
(B) As part of their secret training, ninjas learned to walk on squeaky floors without making a sound.
Yes- This makes Ninja Undetectable even if they have squeaky floors to Walk on - RIGHT
(C) The wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population during the Tokugawa period.
Irrelevant
(D) The fighting prowess of ninjas was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the years following the Tokugawa period.
-Irrelevant
(E) There were very few ninjas at any time other than during the Tokugawa period.
Few Ninjas? Number is not a issue.
-No Distinction of wealthy and poor in Argument - OUT
(B) As part of their secret training, ninjas learned to walk on squeaky floors without making a sound.
Yes- This makes Ninja Undetectable even if they have squeaky floors to Walk on - RIGHT
(C) The wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population during the Tokugawa period.
Irrelevant
(D) The fighting prowess of ninjas was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the years following the Tokugawa period.
-Irrelevant
(E) There were very few ninjas at any time other than during the Tokugawa period.
Few Ninjas? Number is not a issue.
Hovkial
Options B and C can create confusion.
Now, Tamara mentions that wealthy people intentionally constructed squeaky floors to get warned of ninjas, so it means that option B cannot be right or else Tamara is contradicting herself which would be wrong.
Hence option C.
I think the answer is C, because -
Patricia: most Japanese did not fear ninjas
Tamara: wealthy people made squeaky floors
Patricia: since wealthy were a minority, still most Japanese did not fear ninjas
Patricia: most Japanese did not fear ninjas
Tamara: wealthy people made squeaky floors
Patricia: since wealthy were a minority, still most Japanese did not fear ninjas
(A) Many poor Japanese during the Tokugawa period also had houses constructed with intentionally squeaky floors.
probably squeaky floor costed much less
(B) As part of their secret training, ninjas learned to walk on squeaky floors without making a sound.
Householders could install squeaky floors before ninja could walk on squeaky floors, for many other reasons.
(C) The wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population during the Tokugawa period.
if Patricia claims that at that time there was actually very little ninja activity, then option C strengthens Patricia`s claim based on the fact that the wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population
(D) The fighting prowess of ninjas was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the years following the Tokugawa period. irrelevant
(E) There were very few ninjas at any time other than during the Tokugawa period. Weakens Patricia`s argument
probably squeaky floor costed much less
(B) As part of their secret training, ninjas learned to walk on squeaky floors without making a sound.
Householders could install squeaky floors before ninja could walk on squeaky floors, for many other reasons.
(C) The wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population during the Tokugawa period.
if Patricia claims that at that time there was actually very little ninja activity, then option C strengthens Patricia`s claim based on the fact that the wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population
(D) The fighting prowess of ninjas was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the years following the Tokugawa period. irrelevant
(E) There were very few ninjas at any time other than during the Tokugawa period. Weakens Patricia`s argument
Patricia and Tamara are discussing plausible fearful activity of ninjas during the Tokugawa period. Patricia tells us about how ninjas were trained for special-purpose secret activities that could cause fear in the Japanese population at that time. Yet despite their fearful reputations, the ninjas did not seem to have engaged in much activity that could have caused fear.
How does Tamara respond? Tamara tells us that Patricia's assertion is incorrect. The wealthy Japanese living at that time had constructed their houses with intentionally squeaky floors. Such types of floors would definitely provide warning to the residents if ninjas had entered the house. If the wealthy feared the ninjas, then the ninjas must have been fearful.
What can we conclude from this sequence of arguments? We can see that Tamara counters Patricia's assertions by referring to the special case of the behaviors of wealthy Japanese. These wealthy people must have feared the ninjas since these people went to the extent of designing special-purpose floors.
We can note that Tamara's response is actually very limited. This response is limited to the behaviors and feelings of a very special group, that of the wealthy Japanese who were living in the Tokugawa period. If this wealthy population was actually very small in numbers and if there were in fact many times more poorer people, then it possible that, on aggregate, this larger group of poorer people in fact did not fear the ninjas. Perhaps the wealthy people simply had more money to spend on designing special floors to guard against ninjas.
We cannot say that Patricia's assertion about the lack of a general atmosphere of fear is incorrect based simply on the narrow example that Tamara has provided. Therefore, one of the best ways for Patricia to counter Tamara's argument would be to highlight the lack of applicability of this narrow example.
(A) Many poor Japanese during the Tokugawa period also had houses constructed with intentionally squeaky floors.
This does not weaken Patricia's argument. The poor Japanese may have constructed squeaky floors for many other reasons. The statement does not directly challenge Tamara's example of the wealthy Japanese.
(B) As part of their secret training, ninjas learned to walk on squeaky floors without making a sound.
This statement actually strengthens Patricia's argument. If the ninjas had special training to walk without making a sound, then there would be even stronger reason to fear the ninjas.
(C) The wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population during the Tokugawa period.
This statement correctly conforms to our earlier analysis. If the wealthy population constituted only a small proportion of the greater population, then the behaviors of the wealthy would not represent the behaviors and feelings of the entire population.
(D) The fighting prowess of ninjas was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the years following the Tokugawa period.
What happened to the reputation of the ninjas after the Tokugawa period is irrelevant to the arguments at hand.
E) There were very few ninjas at any time other than during the Tokugawa period.
The numbers of ninjas at times other than the Tokugawa period are at not as issue here.
How does Tamara respond? Tamara tells us that Patricia's assertion is incorrect. The wealthy Japanese living at that time had constructed their houses with intentionally squeaky floors. Such types of floors would definitely provide warning to the residents if ninjas had entered the house. If the wealthy feared the ninjas, then the ninjas must have been fearful.
What can we conclude from this sequence of arguments? We can see that Tamara counters Patricia's assertions by referring to the special case of the behaviors of wealthy Japanese. These wealthy people must have feared the ninjas since these people went to the extent of designing special-purpose floors.
We can note that Tamara's response is actually very limited. This response is limited to the behaviors and feelings of a very special group, that of the wealthy Japanese who were living in the Tokugawa period. If this wealthy population was actually very small in numbers and if there were in fact many times more poorer people, then it possible that, on aggregate, this larger group of poorer people in fact did not fear the ninjas. Perhaps the wealthy people simply had more money to spend on designing special floors to guard against ninjas.
We cannot say that Patricia's assertion about the lack of a general atmosphere of fear is incorrect based simply on the narrow example that Tamara has provided. Therefore, one of the best ways for Patricia to counter Tamara's argument would be to highlight the lack of applicability of this narrow example.
(A) Many poor Japanese during the Tokugawa period also had houses constructed with intentionally squeaky floors.
This does not weaken Patricia's argument. The poor Japanese may have constructed squeaky floors for many other reasons. The statement does not directly challenge Tamara's example of the wealthy Japanese.
(B) As part of their secret training, ninjas learned to walk on squeaky floors without making a sound.
This statement actually strengthens Patricia's argument. If the ninjas had special training to walk without making a sound, then there would be even stronger reason to fear the ninjas.
(C) The wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population during the Tokugawa period.
This statement correctly conforms to our earlier analysis. If the wealthy population constituted only a small proportion of the greater population, then the behaviors of the wealthy would not represent the behaviors and feelings of the entire population.
(D) The fighting prowess of ninjas was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the years following the Tokugawa period.
What happened to the reputation of the ninjas after the Tokugawa period is irrelevant to the arguments at hand.
E) There were very few ninjas at any time other than during the Tokugawa period.
The numbers of ninjas at times other than the Tokugawa period are at not as issue here.
Patricia: During Japan's Tokugawa period, martial arts experts known as ninjas were trained for the purposes of espionage and assassination. Yet at that time there was actually very little ninja activity in Japan, and most Japanese did not fear ninjas.
Tamara: That is not true. Many wealthy Japanese during the Tokugawa period had their houses constructed with intentionally squeaky floors so that they would receive warning if a ninja were in the house.
Of the following, which one, if true, is the strongest counter Patricia can make to Tamara's objection?
(A) Many poor Japanese during the Tokugawa period also had houses constructed with intentionally squeaky floors. - WRONG. Were "many" equalled" "most"?
(B) As part of their secret training, ninjas learned to walk on squeaky floors without making a sound. - WRONG. 2nd best. But still wealthy could make squeaky reasons. This does not clearly clarifies whether these floors had any impact or not. Many assumptions need be made for this to be the best one.
(C) The wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population during the Tokugawa period. - CORRECT. "Most Japanese" does not equate to small proportion of population.
(D) The fighting prowess of ninjas was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the years following the Tokugawa period. - WRONG. What happened later is irrelevant.
(E) There were very few ninjas at any time other than during the Tokugawa period. - WRONG. There might but that doesn't tell us why possibly wealthy had squeaky floors or they might not had. Nothing can be anticipated.
Answer C.
_________________
Tamara: That is not true. Many wealthy Japanese during the Tokugawa period had their houses constructed with intentionally squeaky floors so that they would receive warning if a ninja were in the house.
Of the following, which one, if true, is the strongest counter Patricia can make to Tamara's objection?
(A) Many poor Japanese during the Tokugawa period also had houses constructed with intentionally squeaky floors. - WRONG. Were "many" equalled" "most"?
(B) As part of their secret training, ninjas learned to walk on squeaky floors without making a sound. - WRONG. 2nd best. But still wealthy could make squeaky reasons. This does not clearly clarifies whether these floors had any impact or not. Many assumptions need be made for this to be the best one.
(C) The wealthy made up a small portion of Japan's population during the Tokugawa period. - CORRECT. "Most Japanese" does not equate to small proportion of population.
(D) The fighting prowess of ninjas was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the years following the Tokugawa period. - WRONG. What happened later is irrelevant.
(E) There were very few ninjas at any time other than during the Tokugawa period. - WRONG. There might but that doesn't tell us why possibly wealthy had squeaky floors or they might not had. Nothing can be anticipated.
Answer C.
_________________
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(B) As part of their secret training, ninjas learned to walk on squeaky floors without making a sound. This makes Ninja Undetectable even if they have squeaky floors to Walk on
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Patricia: most of the people -> not feared of ninjas , less people -> feared
If wealthier -> less , (many of them feared, hence the squeaky floor (acc to Tamara))
So, option C.
If wealthier -> less , (many of them feared, hence the squeaky floor (acc to Tamara))
So, option C.
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