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

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  Data Sufficiency Butler  
  Problem Solving Butler  
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dhart · Answer

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. Consulsion that military service with stronger economy is needed. first bf says suggests strnger defense but leads to weakening of economy , so opposes & hence second says obligatry militry service should be avoided to have a strobger economy so it weighs and evalutes against the first bf opposition looks ok !

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.

Vivek1707 · Answer

A. The first is a prediction, yes, but the second isn't further evidence. It's the actual conclusion. Out
B. The first explains why mandatory service could hurt the economy. The second says what should be done: avoid mandatory service. That's the conclusion. Keep
C. The first doesn't oppose the conclusion. It actually supports it by showing a negative consequence of mandatory service.
D. The second doesn't counter the first. It is the conclusion drawn from the first.
E. The first may look like a result + action buts its not supported by the position. The position is actually against this action of mandatory service

Go with B

counterclash1 · Answer

Correct Answer: B

ARGUMENT STRUCTURE:
-  Opposing Position (Leaders): Military service must be made obligatory for security. 
-  Premise 1: A strong military requires a sturdy economy. 
- BF1: "Obligatory military service will lead to the recruitment of engineers... weakening the economy."
 ->  Role: Explanation/premise supporting the author's argument. 
- BF2: "obligatory service should be avoided as this way Country X will have a stronger economy..."
 -> Role: Main Conclusion of the argument.

OPTION ANALYSIS:
- Option A: Incorrect. BF2 is the main conclusion, not "further evidence."
-  Option B: CORRECT. BF1 is an explanation supporting the author's position; BF2 is the main conclusion. 
- Option C: Incorrect. BF1 supports the author's stance; it does not oppose it.
- Option D: Incorrect. BF2 agrees with and states the main conclusion; it does not counter it.
- Option E: Incorrect. BF1 is a cause-and-effect explanation, not an action.

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

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