Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumAnalyzing Boldface Statement Roles and Argument Structure

Read the argument below and match each boldfaced statement to its precise structural role within the reasoning.

Some urban planners claim that the city council should not enact the proposed mandate requiring all new commercial buildings to install reflective white roofs. These planners contend that white roofs rapidly accumulate atmospheric soot, rendering them ineffective within two years. However, long-term field testing demonstrates that periodic rainfall naturally washes away over 85 percent of soot deposits from modern reflective roofing materials. Therefore, dirt accumulation does not significantly diminish the long-term cooling efficiency of white roofs, and the council should proceed with implementing the mandate.

  • The statement: 'the city council should not enact the proposed mandate requiring all new commercial buildings to install reflective white roofs'An opposing claim that the author's argument aims to refute.
  • The statement: 'dirt accumulation does not significantly diminish the long-term cooling efficiency of white roofs'An intermediate conclusion drawn by the author to counter the objection raised by opponents.
  • The statement: 'the council should proceed with implementing the mandate'The overall main conclusion that the author defends.

Answer

The statement opposing the mandate matches the opposing claim; the statement regarding cooling efficiency matches the intermediate conclusion countering the opponents' objection; and the statement recommending implementation matches the main conclusion of the argument.
Matching statement 1 with the opposing claim correctly identifies the position that the author rejects. Matching statement 2 with the intermediate conclusion recognizes that it is a claim derived from rainfall evidence and used to dismantle the opponents' objection. Matching statement 3 with the main conclusion correctly isolates the primary judgment supported by the entire passage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the overall stance and main conclusion of the author.
The author argues in favor of passing the mandate, explicitly concluding in the final statement that 'the council should proceed with implementing the mandate.'
Establishing the main conclusion clarifies the ultimate goal of the passage.
2
Analyze the role of the first boldfaced statement.
The first boldfaced statement presents the view of 'some urban planners' who argue against enacting the mandate. The author directly rejects this view.
Identifying opponent positions helps differentiate between opposing claims and the author's own premises.
3
Analyze the function of the factual evidence and the second boldfaced statement.
The author introduces premise evidence (rainfall cleaning modern materials) to draw a sub-conclusion: dirt accumulation does not significantly diminish efficiency. This sub-conclusion directly addresses and counters the opponents' soot objection.
An intermediate conclusion relies on factual evidence and serves to build logical support toward the main conclusion.

Key Concept

Identifying structural roles of statements in GMAT Critical Reasoning arguments
Rate this question

Topics

Analyzing Boldface Statement Roles and Argument Structure

More questions from this topic