Country Y has been threatening the existence of its neighbor, Country

Question

Country Y has been threatening the existence of its neighbor, Country X, by performing military operations against it. The leaders of Country X claim that military service must be made obligatory so that national security is guaranteed in the face of threats from Country Y or any other nation. It has been proven that a strong military front must be backed by a sturdy economy.  Obligatory military service will lead to the recruitment of engineers, researchers, administrators and other personnel, weakening the economy.  Although the army will be smaller in number,  obligatory service should be avoided as this way Country X will have a stronger economy and, therefore, a better defense against Country Y.

In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

A. The first is a prediction that forms a basis for the main position of the argument; the second is further evidence supporting this position.

B. The first is an explanation in support of the argument's conclusion; the second is that conclusion.

C. The first is a statement that opposes the conclusion presented by the argument; the second weighs against this opposition.

D. The first is a possible scenario used as a basis for the reasoning of the argument's favored position; the second counters this reasoning.

E. The first presents the result and an action supported by the position of the argument; the second is that position.

This is a  CR Butler Question

Data Sufficiency Butler  
  Problem Solving Butler  
  Sentence Correction Butler  
  Reading Comprehension Butler  
  Integrated Reasoning Butler

Angad2553 · Answer

Ans B

The first is an explanation in support of the argument's conclusion; the second is that conclusion.

Posted from my mobile device

LamboWalker · Answer

The 2nd is the conclusion of the argument, the first is providing support to that conclusion.

Therefore, answer is B.

Posted from my mobile device

Legenddary1234 · Answer

IMO -C
As the leader's opinion seems to be a conclusion to me, and C clearly refutes it .

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Country Y has been threatening the existence of its neighbor, Country X, by performing military operations against it. The leaders of Country X claim that military service must be made obligatory so that national security is guaranteed in the face of threats from Country Y or any other nation. It has been proven that a strong military front must be backed by a sturdy economy.  Obligatory military service will lead to the recruitment of engineers, researchers, administrators and other personnel, weakening the economy.  Although the army will be smaller in number,  obligatory service should be avoided as this way Country X will have a stronger economy and, therefore, a better defense against Country Y.

In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

A. The first is a prediction that forms a basis for the main position of the argument; the second is further evidence supporting this position.

Incorrect.

This is a Boldface Type question, in which you are required to define the role of the two boldface sections in the argument. Read the argument and break it down using indicative words: 
 
  Sentence 1 is a premise because it provides information about the relationship between Countries X and Y. 
 
  Sentence 2 is a premise that tells us what the leaders of Country X believe. 
 
  Sentence 3 is a premise as it describes findings (it has been proven): a sturdy economy = a strong military front. 
 
  Sentence 4, the first boldface portion, is a prediction about the future: recruitment  will lead to  weaker economy. (Note that although it is a prediction we can't be sure whether to classify it as a premise or a conclusion until we finish breaking down the argument.) 
 
  In sentence 5, the second boldface portion is a conclusion based on the premises and the previous prediction.  
 
  Since the conclusion in sentence 5 is based on the prediction, we can now reclassify the prediction in sentence 4 and recognize it as another premise).

While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly. The word  evidence  refers to factual findings. The second boldface portion cannot be referred to as  evidence  since it provides a recommendation for a future situation - obligatory service  should be avoided , as  ...will have a stronger economy .

B. The first is an explanation in support of the argument's conclusion; the second is that conclusion.

The first boldface portion is an explanation of what may happen (negative outcomes of obligatory service) which serves as the basis for the conclusion (advising against obligatory service) mentioned in the second boldface portion.

C. The first is a statement that opposes the conclusion presented by the argument; the second weighs against this opposition.

Incorrect.

The boldface portions both support the idea that obligatory service will weaken the economy: the first portion outright claims this to be the case, and the second boldface concludes that therefore compulsory service should be avoided so as not to weaken the economy. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that they oppose each other, as this answer choice does.

D. The first is a possible scenario used as a basis for the reasoning of the argument's favored position; the second counters this reasoning.

Incorrect.

While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it describes the second incorrectly. The second boldface portion is the argument's conclusion (position) and cannot, therefore, counter its own reasoning. The boldface portions both support the idea that obligatory service will weaken the economy: the first portion outright claims this to be the case, and the second boldface concludes that therefore compulsory service should be avoided so as not to weaken the economy. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that they oppose each other, as this answer choice does.

E. The first presents the result and an action supported by the position of the argument; the second is that position.

Incorrect.

The argument's position (as seen in the conclusion) does not support the action and result presented by the first boldface portion. You can immediately eliminate answer choices that incorrectly define the first boldface part; do not waste time reading the rest.

Country Y has been threatening the existence of its neighbor, Country

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

Country Y has been threatening the existence of its neighbor, Country

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