The city government should invest surplus funds in improving the city'

Question

The city government should invest surplus funds in improving the city's transportation network.  Most of the network was put in place at a time when the city was much smaller in both area and population.  The subway system is outdated and understaffed. The buses rarely run on schedule and their routes are inconvenient.  If the city does not make changes soon to the network, it will see many of its prized industries relocate to more convenient cities and, as a result, the city's financial health will be jeopardized.

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

A. The first is an explanation of a current state of affairs; the second is a prediction based on that state of affairs

B. The first is a statement of fact in opposition to the author's conclusion; the second is that conclusion.

C. The first emphasizes an existing problem; the second offers a proposal to solve that problem.

D. The first is information the author suggests has been overlooked in the situation at hand; the second describes that situation.

E. The first is a justification of an impending problem; the second describes the consequences of that problem.

This question is part of the  GMAT Club Critical Reasoning: Boldface Revision Project.

ankithakhu · Accepted Answer

A 
A. The first provides context for a current state of affairs; the second is a prediction based on that state of affairs.  correct . The statement provides a set of facts (read context) for the current state of affairs. and then predicts what could happen) 
B. The first is a statement of fact in opposition to the author's conclusion; the second is that conclusion.  (Wrong. the two statements are not opposing) 
C. The first emphasizes an existing problem; the second offers a proposal to solve that problem.  (Wrong. There is no proposal) 
D. The first is information the author suggests has been overlooked in the situation at hand; the second describes that situation.  (Wrong. I dont see author suggesting any "overlook"ing happening here) 
E. The first is a justification of an impending problem; the second describes the consequences of that problem.  (Wrong. the first statement is not justifying anything, It is simply stating a fact.)

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION:

The conclusion of the argument is that the city will see many of its prized industries relocate to more convenient cities and the city's financial health will be jeopardized if the city does not make changes soon to the transportation network. This is also the second bolded sentence. The first bolded sentence states that most of the network was put in place at a time when the city was much smaller in both area and population. We need to find a choice that correctly describes both of these bolded statements.

(A) CORRECT.  This choice states that the first statement is an explanation of a current state of affairs. This explanation is consistent with the passage. The answer choice goes on to describe the second bolded statement as a prediction based on that state of affairs. This is also consistent with the passage: the second bolded statement predicts what will happen as a result of the inadequacy of the current transportation network.

(B) The first statement is indeed a statement of fact, but the author cites it in order to bolster his or her claim; thus the statement is not in opposition to the conclusion. The second statement is the conclusion of the argument.

(C) The first statement does not "emphasize an existing problem" but rather explains that existing problem (of an overtaxed subway). Moreover, the second statement does not "offer a proposal to solve that problem" but rather warns of what will happen if the problem is not solved.

(D) The first statement arguably presents information that "the author suggests has been overlooked in the situation at hand"; however, the second statement does not describe that situation, but rather proposes a hypothetical outcome in the future.

(E) The first statement is not really "justification" (a term that implies approval on the part of the author) but rather an "explanation"; nor does it refer to an "impending problem" but rather an existing problem. Also, the second statement does not describe "consequences" exactly but rather "potential consequences" if the problem is left unchecked. The correct answer is A.

adishail · Answer

Started with POE.

A. The first provides context for a current state of affairs; the second is a prediction based on that state of affairs.
 
B. The first is a statement of fact in opposition to the author's conclusion; the second is that conclusion. 
 Irrelevant. Nothing is been opposed here.

C. The first emphasizes an existing problem; the second offers a proposal to solve that problem. 
 Second is not a proposal. Second is the result, if nothing is done.

D. The first is information the author suggests has been overlooked in the situation at hand; the second describes that situation. 
 Nothing was overlooked. Irrelevant.

E. The first is a justification of an impending problem; the second describes the consequences of that problem.
 First is not an impending problem. Irrelevant.

Only   A   is left, and makes the best sense - First part is stating how/why things were done initially and this has resulted in the current situation. Second, is a warning, if nothing is done, we will end up in this situation (prediction)

IndianExpress · Answer

IMO A, though E also seems to be a good option.

I think the problem with E is that it uses the word "consequence" for the second bold part while option A uses the word "prediction". I think the second bold part is more of a prediction as consequence is something which is certain (given the stated conditions are met) while prediction is something which is likely but not certain

Please let me know in case I am missing something.

Jp27 · Answer

I'll go with A.

WHY NOT E?
1st part is not impending problem (impending problem means a problem yet to occur and soon to occur, but the problem is already there (Most of the
network    was    put in place at a time), expressed correctly in Answer A
2nd is not consequences of that problem, it is a caution that is If u don't do X then Y will happen ( expressed correctly in Answer A)

WHY NOT B?
2nd bold face is not the conclusion. the conclusion is "The city government should invest surplus funds in improving the city’s transportation network."

I guess other answer choices can be eliminated too for the aforementioned reasons.

Wordup!

HTH

Mavisdu1017 · Answer

I do not think OE is quite convincive. My two cents: In E, BF1 is a justification(means judgements agreed by the author), and it should be an impending problem, cuz the passage says “if the city does not make changes soon”(soon means it is impending).
Also, BF2 is the consequences of the problem, means consequences of “If the city does not make changes soon to the network”. Because If changes, the problem will disappear and it will not be called “problem” again.
After all, this is not an official question and I donot think it can be qualified to be a real question. Welcome to commentary.

Moatassem95 · Answer

I am really struggling with bold face questions,

Posted from my mobile device

Rickooreo · Answer

KarishmaB

Why is first statement not justification, it is reason why the problem exists

KarishmaB · Answer

A justification is a reason or a fact used to defend a position.

There is no justification for your actions. (how will you defend your actions?)
His stand was justified. (it was rational)

The first sentence gives what the current situation is like or the reason why the current situation is the way it is. No one is trying to defend the current situation. No one is trying to say that the current system is justified.

Rishitha0311 · Answer

Hi  KarishmaB 
Isn't the BF1 justifying the following sentences here? I mean, the BF1 is justifying the fact that "The subway system is outdated and understaffed. The buses rarely run on schedule and their routes are inconvenient." In that case cant it be called a justification?
Also can you clarify if facts can be called justifications? And, what is the difference between Premise, Fact and a Justification?

Thanks in advance!

KarishmaB · Answer

The word 'justification' isn't used often in official problems. It has the connotation of defending a position. These are all facts - The subway system was put in place when the city was smaller (apparently quite some time ago). This doesn't automatically mean that it is inadequate now. If at that time, they planned as per the need of the city for the next 2 decades, perhaps it could have still been adequate. 
A bigger problem is the use of the word 'impending' (about to happen). But the problem is current - outdated and understaffed. 
As far as we are concerned for CR, premises and facts are the same. Justifications are also facts/premises only - just that this word is used to defend.

e.g. The subway is outdated. Justify this statement. 
Answer: We could provide following justifications:
- It uses the old tech of buying the ticket from the kiosk. Nowadays, digiApp on your phone can be used directly to scan and travel. The money is automatically deducted from your account. 
- Micro rails are used. Nano rails are stronger faster and last much longer. 
etc.

Rishitha0311 · Answer

Noted. Thanks for the detailed explanation!

OokandGluk · Answer

Bunuel   KarishmaB   Rishitha0311

Isn't the first statement the actual conclusion of the argument and the second bold face the intermediate conclusion which supports the main conclusion?

If the City doesn't invest in it's infrastructure, the industries will move to more lucrative cities and therefore, the city must invest in it's transportation network.

VerbalBot · Answer

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The city government should invest surplus funds in improving the city'

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GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

The city government should invest surplus funds in improving the city'

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