A well-known bicycle company released a new model called the X10 onto

Question

A well-known bicycle company released a new model called the X10 onto the market. The X10 was different from its predecessor, the X9, in a number of ways, but mainly because it was foldable, so it could be stored easily without taking up too much space. However, the X10 did not sell nearly as well as the X9. It could be said, therefore, that the folding feature is not an important feature to bicycle buyers.

Which of the following is an assumption underlying the conclusion?

Which of the following is an assumption underlying the conclusion?

A. Besides the folding feature, the other differences between the two models were not substantial enough to affect sales.

B. Marketing is an important part of the success of any product, and can greatly affect sales.

C. The folding feature is only important to bicycle owners that live in urban areas where storage space is problematic.

D. The timing of the release of a new product onto the market is of utmost importance.

E. The X9 was a very popular bicycle.

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

A well-known bicycle company released a new model called the X10 onto the market. The X10 was different from its predecessor, the X9, in a number of ways, but mainly because it was foldable, so it could be stored easily without taking up too much space. However, the X10 did not sell nearly as well as the X9. It could be said, therefore, that the folding feature is not an important feature to bicycle buyers.

Which of the following is an assumption underlying the conclusion?

Which of the following is an assumption underlying the conclusion?

A. Besides the folding feature, the other differences between the two models were not substantial enough to affect sales.

To solve this Assumption question, first break down the argument. Sentences 1, 2, and 3 are factual, so they are the premises, while sentence 4 includes the conclusion conjunction therefore so it's the conclusion.

Now ask yourself: the author concludes that a bicycle's folding feature is not important to someone buying a bicycle, based on the fact X10, a foldable bicycle, did not sell as well as X9, its predecessor. But what did the author overlook? What assumption did the author make regarding the folding feature and in relation to other possibilities?

In order to compare between the X9 and X10, and in that way draw the conclusion, the author had to assume that the folding feature was the only difference that could have affected the sales of both models.

B. Marketing is an important part of the success of any product, and can greatly affect sales.

Incorrect.

To solve this Assumption question, first break down the argument. Sentences 1, 2, and 3 are factual, so they are the premises, while sentence 4 includes the conclusion conjunction therefore so it's the conclusion.

Now ask yourself: the author concludes that a bicycle's folding feature is not important to someone buying a bicycle, based on the fact X10, a foldable bicycle, did not sell as well as X9, its predecessor. But what did the author overlook? What assumption did the author make regarding the folding feature and in relation to other possibilities?

If the author assumed marketing was important, he or she wouldn't have come to a conclusion that ignores marketing and puts all the blame for the X10 sales on its folding feature.

C. The folding feature is only important to bicycle owners that live in urban areas where storage space is problematic.

Incorrect.

This answer choice presents a new premise about bicycle owners. It is irrelevant whether this new data supports the conclusion; what you are looking for is the assumption, which should explain how the author drew the conclusion based on the existing premises.

D. The timing of the release of a new product onto the market is of utmost importance.

Incorrect.

If the author assumed timing was important, he or she wouldn't have come to a conclusion that ignores the release timing and puts all the blame for the X10 sales on its folding feature.

E. The X9 was a very popular bicycle.

Incorrect.

If the author assumed the popularity of X9 was so high, he or she wouldn't have come to a conclusion that ignores X9 previous success and puts all the blame for the X10 sales on its folding feature.

Nidzo · Answer

A. Besides the folding feature, the other differences between the two models were not substantial enough to affect sales.
 Correct. Passage states that there were many different features between x9 and x10, however, the author concludes that the folding feature is not an important feature to customers. Only way that can be true is if the other features were not substantial enough to affect sales.

B. Marketing is an important part of the success of any product, and can greatly affect sales.
  The author never makes any reference to the marketing of either product

C. The folding feature is only important to bicycle owners that live in urban areas where storage space is problematic.
 Irrelevant to the conclusion

D. The timing of the release of a new product onto the market is of utmost importance.
 Irrelevant. Author makes no comment on the timing of the release of the product

E. The X9 was a very popular bicycle.
 Irrelevant.

Kushagratomar93 · Answer

Answer is Option A

Premise - X10 was different from its predecessor, the X9, in a number of ways, but mainly because it was foldable
- X10 did not sell nearly as well as the X9

Conslusion - Folding feature is not an important feature to bicycle buyers.

Reasoning (closing the gap b/w Premise and Conslusion) - Even if folding feature wasn't important, X10 was different in number of ways. Yet it wasn't sufficient to attarct buyers to buy X10.

Hence Answer.

Hit Kudos if you understand my reasoning.

winterschool · Answer

A well-known bicycle company released a new model called the X10 onto the market. The X10 was different from its predecessor, the X9, in a number of ways, but mainly because it was foldable, so it could be stored easily without taking up too much space. However, the X10 did not sell nearly as well as the X9. It could be said, therefore, that the folding feature is not an important feature to bicycle buyers.

Which of the following is an assumption underlying the conclusion?

Which of the following is an assumption underlying the conclusion?

A.  Besides the folding feature, the other differences between the two models were not substantial enough to affect sales.   Correct

can be an assumption

B. Marketing is an important part of the success of any product, and can greatly affect sales.  Incorrect

marketing can be a factor, it against argument

C. The folding feature is only important to bicycle owners that live in urban areas where storage space is problematic.  Incorrect

can be a reason for fewer sales, against argument

D. The timing of the release of a new product onto the market is of utmost importance.  Incorrect

can be a reason for fewer sales, against argument

E. The X9 was a very popular bicycle.  Incorrect

additional info

A well-known bicycle company released a new model called the X10 onto

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GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

A well-known bicycle company released a new model called the X10 onto

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

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My Rewards