Studies have shown that people who keep daily diet records are far mor

Question

Studies have shown that  people who keep daily diet records are far more successful at losing weight than people who don’t keep track of what they eat.  Researchers believe that many weight-loss efforts fail because people eat more calories than they intend to consume. One study followed a group of patients who reported that they could not lose weight when consuming only 1,200 calories a day.  The study found that the group consumed, on average, 47% more than it claimed and exercised 51% less.  In contrast, when dieters record what they eat, their actual consumption more closely matches their reported consumption.

The two boldface portions in the argument above are best described by which of the following statements?

(A) The first is a conclusion reached by researchers; the second is evidence that that conclusion is correct.

(B) The first is an explanation of why a certain theory is thought to be true; the second is an example of research results that support this theory.

(C) The first is an example illustrating the truth of a certain theory; the second is a competing theory.

(D) The first is a premise upon which the researchers base their opinion; the second illustrates that their opinion is correct.

(E) The first introduces a theory that the researchers have disproved; the second is the basis for the researchers’ argument.

pqhai · Accepted Answer

This one is a good question to practice

For every CR question, determine conclusion correctly is always KEY . But it’s a bit easier if you have some signal words in mind to distinguish a conclusion form a premise. *Signal words for premises –OR-- facts: - The fact shows that….. - For the reason that….. - Due to….. - Because….. - For…. - Sine…… - For example…… - As indicated by……. Signal words for Conclusions: - Thus….. - Therefore…… - Hence……… - Conclude that……. - Believe that…… - For this reason…… - Shows that…… Note: if you see “ studies shows that …… <-- normally, this is NOT a conclusion . Let ask yourself “what the studies, or scientific studies show? Absolutely, studies can ONLY show FACT, they can't conclude something. ONLY a person who does the studies can conclude ”. But if you see “ researchers show that ….<-- This is a CONCLUSION because it concluded by people/scientists who have done studies. ANALYZE THE STIMULUS: Fact: Studies have shown that people who keep daily diet records are far more successful at losing weight than people who don’t keep track of what they eat. Conclusion: Researchers believe that many weight-loss efforts fail because people eat more calories than they intend to consume. Fact: One study followed a group of patients who reported that they could not lose weight when consuming only 1,200 calories a day. The study found that the group consumed, on average, 47% more than it claimed and exercised 51% less. In contrast, when dieters record what they eat, their actual consumption more closely matches their reported consumption. ANALYZE EACH ANSWER: (A.) The first is a conclusion reached by researchers; the second is evidence that that conclusion is correct. Wrong. The first is NOT a conclusion. Why? See my note a above: The studies can’t conclude something. Only a person who does the studies can conclude. The studies only show FACTS. (B) The first is an explanation of why a certain theory is thought to be true; the second is an example of research results that support this theory. Wrong. The first is NOT an explanation of a theory. Clearly, you see the second sentence: Researchers believe that …….. because ……… <== The exist of “because” clearly tells you the first is NOT the explanation for what researchers believe. The first sentence is ONLY FACT, NOT explanation. (C) The first is an example illustrating the truth of a certain theory; the second is a competing theory. Wrong. The second does not compete the first. (D) The first is a premise upon which the researchers base their opinion; the second illustrates that their opinion is correct. Correct 100%. The first is the FACT and clearly is a PREMISE. The second one more time illustrate what researchers believe is TRUE. (E) The first introduces a theory that the researchers have disproved; the second is the basis for the researchers’ argument. Wrong. The first actually supports the main conclusion, NOT disprove. TAKEAWAY: Always have some magic words (signal words) in mind to help determine a correct conclusion. Hope it helps.

sanjay_gmat · Answer

The paragraph starts with the reference to studies that point to the same conclusion. Then it discusses a particular study that is in line with the studies that are mentioned in the beginning.

A - the first is not a conclusion reached by the researchers. Even if it is, the second is not the evidence. Second is the result of a different independent study.

D - is the right choice. First is a premise that the researchers start with. Then the second is the result that proves that their opinion is correct.

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

The conclusion of this argument is that “many weight-loss efforts fail because people eat more calories than they intend to consume.” The first boldface portion is a factual premise (“Studies have shown…”) that there is an observed correlation between keeping a diet record and losing weight successfully. This premise (indirectly) supports the researchers’ conclusion. The second boldface portion is another supporting premise, this one citing a specific study showing that dieters who do not keep a diet record eat far more than they realize.

(A) The first boldface is not the conclusion, it is an observed fact. The second boldface is evidence that the researchers’ conclusion is correct, but is not evidence that the first boldface is correct.

(B) The first boldface is a fact that supports the researchers’ theory, but it does not explain why their conclusion is correct—the other premises do so.

(C) The first boldface is a fact that supports the researchers’ theory, but it does not illustrate the truth of that theory—the second boldface does. The second boldface is a fact that supports the researchers’ theory; it is not a competing theory.

(D) CORRECT.  The first boldface (diet record = diet success) is a basis for the researchers’ conclusion that many weight-loss efforts fail because people consume more than they intended. The second boldface directly illustrates how weight-loss efforts of a certain group failed for exactly that reason.

(E) The first boldface is a factual statement, not a theory. Furthermore, the first boldface supports the theory of the researchers; it is not something they have disproved.

pmenon · Answer

i picked A since the first boldface seems to be a conclusion to me ...

tingle15 · Answer

As soon as I read option A I didn't feel the need to go through the other options because option A seemed right to me. That is a huuuuuge mistake. Never ever do this. Examine every option before you pick any.

After realizing my mistake I read the ques properly and concluded that there is no conclusion in the argument. It is just a collection of facts.

In Researchers opinion, weight loss efforts fail because people eat more than they intend do. And they eat more because they do no keep track of how much they consume (which is what the studies claim). Also when dieters record their intake, they eat as much as they intend to. Hence Researchers opinion is based on bold-faced peortion 1.
Bold-faced portion 2 clearly indicates that Researchers opinion is correct because the group under study did not keep track of what they ate and how much they exercised and hence were unable to lose weight.

Hence answer should be D.

metallicafan · Answer

I don't agree with D.
Although the first part is a premise, there is not an opinion. The researches are just reporting a finding in a study.

What is the source please?

sonnco · Answer

I chose A too. Wouldn't it be a conclusion if I said "Studies have shown that without water life could not be sustained". Lastly, "The study found that.." makes it sound like evidence.

I do see how D could be correct. Can you tell me the source of this question?

wishnuv · Answer

I initally chose A as well, but I can see why D is correct.

When "Studies show" something, that means its a fact/premise. I agree that this is not an opinion. But the next sentence " Researchers believe  that many weight-loss efforts fail because people eat more calories than they intend to consume" is definitely an opinion or theory.

And the 2nd boldface does illustrate that their theory/opinion is correct.

Good question.

mbaiseasy · Answer

(A.) The first  is a conclusion reached by researchers; the second is evidence that that conclusion is correct.
  The wording of the first sentence is an introduction of a topic by citing a result of the study... It is not a conlusion test... IF YOU ARE DOUBTFUL.. TRY THE BECAUSE LINKING TEST... 
(a)People who keep daily diet records are far more successful at losing weight BECAUSE Researchers believe that many fail...
(b)Researchers believe that many weight-loss efforts fail BECAUSE people who keep daily diet records are far more successful at losing weight...

WHICH SEEMS LIKE A SUPPORT? WHICH SEEMS LIKE A CONCLUSION?

(B) The first is an explanation of why a  certain theory  is thought to be true; the second is an example of research results that support this theory.
  Results of a study is not a THEORY until established so...

(C) The first is an example illustrating the truth of a certain theory; the second is  a competing theory.
  The first did not illustrate any truth.. It just showed a known result... and the second is in harmony with the first...

(D) The first is a premise upon which the researchers base their opinion; the second illustrates that their opinion is correct.

(E) The first introduces a theory that the researchers have disproved ; the second is the basis for the researchers’ argument. 
  The author agrees with the result....

Answer: D

pacifist85 · Answer

Studies have shown that people who keep daily diet records are far more successful at losing weight than people who don’t keep track of what they eat. Researchers believe that many weight-loss efforts fail because people eat more calories than they intend to consume. One study followed a group of patients who reported that they could not lose weight when consuming only 1,200 calories a day. The study found that the group consumed, on average, 47% more than it claimed and exercised 51% less. In contrast, when dieters record what they eat, their actual consumption more closely matches their reported consumption. Therefore, not keeping track of what one eats makes it far more difficult for that person to lose weight. (A.) The first is a conclusion reached by researchers; the second is evidence that that conclusion is correct. (D) The first is a premise upon which the researchers base their opinion; the second illustrates that their opinion is correct. The sentence in red was added by me, to illustrate a possible conclusion of this argument. (A) When a sentence starts with "studies have shown" it signals a premise. Think of it as building a theory. Your theory is that "keeping track with what you eat helps in losing weight". You need support for this, so you are looking for data that support it. In other words, you would read as many studies as possible and share their results. So, the first sentence, cannot be the actual conclusion. It presents supportive evidence coming from studies. The conclusion, adding up all those premises, could be sth like the sentence in red. The second sentence cannot be evidence that makes the first statement 100% secure either. That because it is sort of irrelevant. The second sentence only says that the results of one study showed that participants consumed more than ther reported and exercised less that they reported. This doesn't have to do with them keeping records with what they eat, which is what the first sentence says. (D) is correct. The first is a premise (explained above). The second is another premise in support of the first premise. It adds strength to the first premise in that it shows that people can be misleaded when it comes to how much they have consumed.

PhantomAY · Answer

The conclusion of the argument starts with " Researchers believe that... ", while the 1st sentence is just a premise to support that conclusion (theory), an indicator would be " have found " - something already happened.

The 2nd part " The study found that the group... " and the last sentence " In contrast, when... " together are used to support the conclusion " many weight-loss efforts fail because people eat more calories than they intend to consume ".

So we have
  1st part: premise/evidence/illustration/example/another theory to support the conclusion  2nd part: another premise/evidence... to support

Now going through all answer:
A) the first is not the conclusion " reached by researchers ", no evidence supports the fact the 1st mentioned study is conduct by those researchers.
B) tempting answer - but I don't really think the 1st sentence (people who keep track are more successful at losing weight ) explain why the conclusion (many fail because people eat more than they intended to), but rather the conclusion is a further expansion on the logic of the 1st sentence
C) the 2nd is not the theory (conclusion), but another example to support the theory
D) fits our pre-thinking, correct 
E) the 1st is not a theory being disproved

jabhatta2 · Answer

GMATNinja   VeritasKarishma  -while BF1 is a "Fact", why should we believe this fact is a premise specifically.

"Facts" can very easily be just background information, not playing the role of premise necessarily.

What in the argument tells you that BF1 (which is a fact) is playing the role of a premise specifically.

KarishmaB · Answer

There is very little difference between context and premises. Context helps you understand the premises. Premises support the conclusion. The distinction is often not white and black.

After reading the argument, what would you say is the author's opinion? That people who keep records are more successful at losing weight.

BF1 - Studies have shown that people who keep daily diet records are far more successful at losing weight than people who don’t keep track of what they eat.
supports the opinion. So it is a premise.

Guest96 · Answer

KarishmaB

I had a few questions about premises/facts and background information:

(1) Is it right to say that a premise that doesn't affect (support/reject) a conclusion (main or otherwise) is background information?
(1.1) What if a clause/sentence implictly supports or aligns with a conclusion or sub-conclusion? Would it still be called background information?

KarishmaB · Answer

The distinction between context (background info) and premises is irrelevant to the process of solving the question. The difference is subtle and debatable at times. Focus on separating the conclusion from the argument.

ClaireCHEN · Answer

A can be confusing! While actually the first sentence supports as an evidence the conclusion reached by the researchers, it's not the conclusion itself.

So right answer is D.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Studies have shown that people who keep daily diet records are far mor

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Studies have shown that people who keep daily diet records are far mor

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