Many winemakers use cork stoppers; but cork stoppers can leak, crumble

Question

Many winemakers use cork stoppers; but cork stoppers can leak, crumble, or become moldy, so that those winemakers must often discard a significant proportion of their inventory of bottled wine. Bottlemaster plastic stoppers, which cannot leak, crumble, or mold, have long been available to winemakers, at a price slightly higher than that of traditional cork stoppers. Cork prices, however, are expected to rise dramatically in the near future. Clearly, therefore,  winemakers who still use cork but wish to keep production costs from rising will be forced to reconsider plastic stoppers . And since the wine-buying public’s association of plastic stoppers with poor-quality wine is weakening,  there is an excellent chance that the Bottlemaster plastic stopper will gain an increased share of the market for wine-bottle stoppers.

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

(A) The first is a judgment that has been advanced in support of a position that the argument opposes; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.

(B) The first is a judgment that has been advanced in support of a position that the argument opposes; the second is a conclusion drawn in order to support the main conclusion of the argument.

(C) The first is the main conclusion of the argument; the second provides evidence in support of that main conclusion.

(D) The first is the main conclusion of the argument; the second is a restatement of that main conclusion.

(E) The first is a conclusion drawn in order to support the main conclusion of the argument; the second is that main conclusion.

The way to approach Bold CR is to find the conclusion asap. Here the conclusion I believe is (using the key words, clearly ...) In order for Wine makers to keep costs down they will probably buy plastic corks.

Now how does the two bold face statements play a role in the argument. well for one statement one is the conclusion, so I would look for answers that has statement one as the conclusion.

So A and B are out.

Here' i'm stuck between CDE because I'm unable to decide which one is the main conclusion and which one the intermediate. 
(C) is tempting but not sure
(D). the second conclusion -- na not relevant..
(E). I thought the first statement is the main conclusion - ??

I'll wait for your responses. Thanks

VeritasPrepBrandon · Accepted Answer

So this is a pretty lengthy argument, but it is one argument that progressively advances toward the main conclusion. That eliminates answer choices A and B immediately, because there is nothing contradictory to the argument that is presented. The argument can be summarized as follows:

P) Cork stoppers have problems that result in wasted inventory
P) Bottlemaster plastic stoppers do not have these problems
P) Bottlemaster plastic stoppers are slightly more expensive than traditional cork stoppers
P) Cork prices are going to rise dramatically
Intermediate Conclusion) Winemakers who use cork but wish to keep production costs low will have to reconsider plastic stoppers
P) Public's negative association with plastic wine stoppers is declining
Ultimate Conclusion) Bottlemaster plastic stoppers will gain an increased market share

Veritas teaches a great technique of the "why test." Any conclusion must be supported with reasons in the argument, and the ultimate conclusion here is supported by the fact that the public is no longer so negative about plastic stoppers and winemakers who currently use cork stoppers but who wish to keep production costs low are going to need to reconsider using plastic stoppers. Veritas also teaches something that I refer to as the "reverse why test." This states that any ultimate conclusion of an argument cannot serve as the "why" to something else - it is in no way a premise. I like to think of it as the "end of the line." Here the intermediate conclusion (as we just saw) is also a conclusion, because it is supported by the fact that the plastic stoppers are a good substitution for the cork stoppers, and cork stoppers are going to rise drastically. It then itself, however, serves as a "why" to the main conclusion, as we just saw, meaning that it cannot itself be the main conclusion - it does not pass the "reverse why test."

That makes answer choice E the correct answer. Both C and D incorrectly cite the intermediate conclusion as the main conclusion.

I hope this helps!

VeritasPrepBrian · Answer

Yeah, good question. The big key is in that non-bold portion between the two bolds:

And  since  the wine-buying public’s association of plastic stoppers with poor-quality wine is weakening,

Notice that word "since" - this portion between the bolds indicates that the second bolded portion depends on the first. This means that the first conclusion is a step toward arriving at the second....the first conclusion is used as a premise to reach the second, main conclusion.

One thing we like to talk about in the Veritas CR classes is "The Why Test" - in CR, conclusions have to be based on premises, so you can find conclusions by making sure that something else in the argument tries to explain "why" a certain statement is true. If there's no reason why, it's given as a premise. If there is a reason why, it's a conclusion (either "main" or "intermediate"). And if one conclusion explains why another is true, then that conclusion is being used as a stepping stone to reach the main conclusion (the one for which the other statements exist to explain "why" it's true).

quangviet512 · Answer

E it is.
Bcz wine-makers are forced to reconsider plastics stoppers, this will lead to a possible increase in market share of plastics stoppers. So "the increase in market share" should be the main conclusion here.

walker · Answer

E

A. The first is a judgment that has been advanced in support of a position that the
argument  opposes ; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.

B. The first is a judgment that has been advanced in support of a position that the
argument  opposes ; the second is a conclusion drawn in order  to support the
main conclusion  of the argument.

C. The first is  the main conclusion  of the argument; the second provides  evidence 
in support of that main conclusion.

D. The first is the  main conclusion  of the argument; the second is a  restatement 
of that main conclusion.

E. The first is a conclusion drawn in order to support the main conclusion of the
argument; the second is that main conclusion.

hanumayamma · Answer

Conclusion portion is tricky. But if you analyze timeline order, the conclusion which stands chronologically last is final conclusion. Winemakers who which to reduce production cost choose plastic wine-bottle stoppers. But the market gain is chronologically much later, so it is better candidate for the overall conclusion.

Main Conclusion: there is an excellent chance that the Bottle master plastic stopper
will gain an increased share of the market for wine-bottle stoppers.

Bolfface1: Supports main conclusion 
Boldface2: Is conclusion

A. The first is a judgment that has been advanced in support of a position that the 
argument opposes; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.  First is judgment that supports the conclusion – eliminate it ]

B. The first is a judgment that has been advanced in support of a position that the 
argument opposes; the second is a conclusion drawn in order to support the 
main conclusion of the argument.  First is judgment that supports the conclusion – eliminate it ]

C. The first is the main conclusion of the argument; the second provides evidence 
in support of that main conclusion.  Second is not evidence – it is also a conclusion – eliminate it ]

D. The first is the main conclusion of the argument; the second is a restatement 
of that main conclusion.  Second is main conclusion of the argument – eliminate it ]

E. The first is a conclusion drawn in order to support the main conclusion of the 
argument; the second is that main conclusion.  Hold it ]

Answer: E

mallya12 · Answer

How do we identify which is the main conclusion and which is the intermediate conclusion?

Either bold face looks like the main conclusion.

HoneyLemon · Answer

I believe . It's E . 
Below is my reasoning .

Passage analysis .   
Many winemakers use cork stoppers; but cork stoppers can leak, crumble, or become moldy, so that those winemakers must often discard a significant proportion of their inventory of bottled wine. Bottlemaster plastic stoppers, which cannot leak, crumble, or mold, have long been available to winemakers, at a price slightly higher than that of traditional cork stoppers.

--Both the above statement are observation or general background information.

Cork prices, however, are expected to rise dramatically in the near future. 
  ---A prediction  
 
 Clearly, therefore,  winemakers who still use cork but wish to keep production costs from rising will be forced to reconsider plastic stoppers. 
  ---Another prediction or claim based on the reasoning stated in the previous statement .  
 
 And since the wine-buying public’s association of plastic stoppers with poor-quality wine is weakening,  there is an excellent chance that the Bottlemaster plastic stopper will gain an increased share of the market for wine-bottle stoppers.

---One more prediction or claim based on the reasoning stated in the associated statement .

So basically we found that there are 2 claims in 2 bold face .

claim 1 : winemakers who still use cork but wish to keep production costs from rising will be forced to reconsider plastic stoppers.

claim 2 : there is an excellent chance that the Bottlemaster plastic stopper will gain an increased share of the market for wine-bottle stoppers.

So we need to quickly test whether because of claim 1, claim 2 is correct.

Because
winemakers who still use cork but wish to keep production costs from rising will be forced to reconsider plastic stoppers.
there is an excellent chance that the Bottlemaster plastic stopper will gain an increased share of the market for wine-bottle stoppers.

The above statement is making sense . 
 
So  claim 2  will be the  main conclusion  and  claim 1  will be the  intermediate conclusion  . 
and claim 1 supports claim 2 and both are in the same direction . 
 
With this understanding . Lets go for POE. 
In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a judgment that has been advanced in support of a position that  the argument opposes ; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.

Bold face 1 is incorrect since first one is not supporting what argument opposes  
(B) The first is a judgment that has been advanced in support of a position  that the argument opposes ; the second is a conclusion drawn in order to support the main conclusion of the argument.

Bold face 1 is incorrect since first one is not supporting what argument opposes

(C)  The first is the main conclusion  of the argument;  the second provides evidence in support of that main conclusion.

Bold face 1 is incorrect --since 1st BF is not the main conclusion . Also BF2 is incorrect since the second is the main conclusion

(D)  The first is the main conclusion of the argument; the second is a restatement of that main conclusion.

Bold face 1 is incorrect --since 1st BF is not the main conclusion . Also BF2 is incorrect since the second is the main conclusion

(E) The first is a conclusion drawn in order  to support the main conclusion of the argument; the second is that main conclusion.

-- Yes correct . 1st one is used to support to main conclusion and 2nd one is the main conclusion .
   
Hence E is my answer .

epsilon-delta · Answer

The first boldface portion is: "Many winemakers use cork stoppers; but cork stoppers can leak, crumble, or become moldy, so that those winemakers must often discard a significant proportion of their inventory of bottled wine."

The second boldface portion is: "And since the wine-buying public’s association of plastic stoppers with poor-quality wine is weakening, there is an excellent chance that the Bottlemaster plastic stopper will gain an increased share of the market for wine-bottle stoppers."

The first portion is presenting information about the problems with cork stoppers and their impact on winemakers. The second portion is the main conclusion of the argument, which states that there is an excellent chance that the Bottlemaster plastic stopper will gain an increased share of the market.

Given this clarification, the correct roles are as follows:

(E) The first is a conclusion drawn in order to support the main conclusion of the argument; the second is that main conclusion.

Raman109 · Answer

Understanding the argument -

Many winemakers use cork stoppers; (Fact)
but cork stoppers can leak, crumble, or become moldy, so that those winemakers must often discard a significant proportion of their inventory of bottled wine. - opinion 
Bottlemaster plastic stoppers, which cannot leak, crumble, or mold, have long been available to winemakers, at a price slightly higher than that of traditional cork stoppers. - Fact
Cork prices, however, are expected to rise dramatically in the near future. "however" contrast. Opinion
Clearly, therefore, winemakers who still use cork but wish to keep production costs from rising will be forced to reconsider plastic stoppers. Intermediate conclusion 
And since the wine-buying public’s association of plastic stoppers with poor-quality wine is weakening, Premise 
there is an excellent chance that the Bottlemaster plastic stopper will gain an increased share of the market for wine-bottle stoppers. - main conclusion

Both BF1 and BF2 go in the same direction

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

(A) The first is a judgment that has been advanced in support of a position that the argument opposes (no. It's in support of the position that the argument establishes); the second is the main conclusion of the argument. (ok)

(B) The first is a judgment that has been advanced in support of a position that the argument opposes;(no. It's in support of the position that the argument establishes) the second is a conclusion drawn in order to support the main conclusion of the argument. (No. It's the main conclusion.)

(C) The first is the main conclusion of the argument (No. it is an intermediate conclusion); the second provides evidence in support of that main conclusion. (No its the main conclusion.)

(D) The first is the main conclusion of the argument (No. It is an intermediate conclusion); the second is a restatement of that main conclusion.(restatement of BF1? No. Its a main conclusion)

(E) The first is a conclusion drawn in order to support the main conclusion of the argument(ok); the second is that main conclusion.(ok)

KarishmaB · Answer

Situation: Many winemakers use cork stoppers. Available Alternative: Bottlemaster plastic stoppers Premises: Cork prices are expected to rise dramatically in the near future. Cork stoppers can leak, crumble, or become moldy, so that those winemakers must often discard a significant proportion of their inventory of bottled wine. Bottlemaster plastic stoppers which cannot leak, crumble, or mold, have long been available to winemakers, at a price slightly higher than that of traditional cork stoppers. The wine-buying public’s association of plastic stoppers with poor-quality wine is weakening. Intermediate Conclusion: Clearly, therefore, winemakers who still use cork but wish to keep production costs from rising will be forced to reconsider plastic stoppers. Conclusion: There is an excellent chance that the Bottlemaster plastic stopper will gain an increased share of the market for wine-bottle stoppers. The position that the argument supports is that Bottlemaster will gain market share. This is the second boldface. The first boldface is an intermediate conclusion supporting the main conclusion. (A) The first is a judgment that has been advanced in support of a position that the argument opposes; the second is the main conclusion of the argument. The argument does not oppose any position. (B) The first is a judgment that has been advanced in support of a position that the argument opposes; the second is a conclusion drawn in order to support the main conclusion of the argument. The argument does not oppose any position. The second is the main conclusion of the argument. (C) The first is the main conclusion of the argument; the second provides evidence in support of that main conclusion. The second is the main conclusion of the argument, not the first. (D) The first is the main conclusion of the argument; the second is a restatement of that main conclusion. The second is the main conclusion of the argument, not the first. (E) The first is a conclusion drawn in order to support the main conclusion of the argument; the second is that main conclusion. Correct. The first is a conclusion that supports the main conclusion. The second is the main conclusion. Answer (E) Discussion on Boldface Questions: https://youtu.be/U57vXdqujkY

MihirBathia · Answer

Another reason why C is a trap, is that the part which can be the evidence is not in bold!

egmat · Answer

Let's break down the argument's logical structure piece by piece.

First, identify the premises (the raw facts given): 
- Cork stoppers can leak, crumble, or mold, causing winemakers to discard wine.
- Bottlemaster plastic stoppers don't have these problems.
- Plastic stoppers cost slightly more than cork currently.
- Cork prices are expected to rise dramatically.
- The public's association of plastic stoppers with poor-quality wine is weakening.

Now, look at the  two boldface statements :

First boldface:  'Winemakers who still use cork but wish to keep production costs from rising will be forced to reconsider plastic stoppers.'

Notice the signal words right before it:  'Clearly, therefore.'  These words tell you this is a conclusion drawn FROM the preceding facts (cork has problems + cork prices are rising + plastic doesn't have those problems). But is it the MAIN conclusion? Not quite. It's an   intermediate conclusion   — a stepping stone.

Second boldface:  'There is an excellent chance that the Bottlemaster plastic stopper will gain an increased share of the market.'

This is where the whole argument is heading — the big-picture prediction. It's supported by the first boldface (winemakers will reconsider plastic) PLUS one more premise (the public is warming up to plastic stoppers).  Two  supports feeding into one final claim =   main conclusion  .

The structure looks like this: 
Premises about cork problems and rising prices --> First boldface ( intermediate conclusion : winemakers forced to reconsider) --> Combined with weakening stigma premise --> Second boldface ( main conclusion : Bottlemaster gains market share).

This matches answer E: the first is a conclusion drawn to support the main conclusion; the second is that main conclusion.

Key takeaway:  When you see multiple conclusions in an argument, ask yourself 'Which conclusion serves which?' If one conclusion acts as a reason for the other, it's the intermediate conclusion, and the one it supports is the main conclusion.

Answer: E

Many winemakers use cork stoppers; but cork stoppers can leak, crumble

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Many winemakers use cork stoppers; but cork stoppers can leak, crumble

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