CR Question from MGMAT Question Bank

[robertkchao]

Here's a question from the CR MGMAT question bank that I had trouble with:

Consumer advocates argue that the coating found on non-stick cookware contains harmful chemicals that are released into the air when the cookware is heated above a certain temperature. The manufacturer of the cookware acknowledges this hazard but assures consumers that the temperature threshold is much higher than would ever be needed for food preparation and therefore no special precautions need be taken in using the cookware.

Which of the following, if true, would cast the most serious doubt on the claims of the manufacturer?

A. The chemicals released by the coating can linger in the air for days

B. Empty cookware left on the flame often reaches exceptionally high temperatures.

C. Several consumers have already claimed illness as a result of using the cookware.

D. The manufacturer did not test the cookware for this phenomenon until consumer advocates brought the issue to its attention.

E. There are effective non-stick coatings that do not release toxins when heated.





The Correct Answer is B, but I picked C. In my view, Answer B does not explicitly state that the "exceptionally high temperatures" are high enough to release harmful chemicals into the air. For all we know from the given information, these high temperatures are not high enough to harm the consumers. Whereas, Answer C states that there are consumers who have received illness due to the cookware. To me, Answer C seems to more seriously weaken the argument. Can someone shed some light on this problem?

[angad_mnnit]

I agree with robertkchao. Since several consumers already reported illness, they must be using the non-stick cookware above the threshold temperature that manufacturer though would be unpractical.

[sunny.jain]

Hmm, I think there is a close fight between B and C

Fact :- Harmful chemical emission into AIR if cookware is heated to high temp.
claim:- temperature is much higher than needed to cook the food.

B) --> cookware can get exceptionally high temperature.
pros --> Direct attack on temperature, which is being discussed.
cons --> as robertkchao said " is exceptionally sufficient for emission"?

C) --> ppl complaining about illness because of using cookware.
pros --> they might have heated the cookware to sufficient temperature to emit the harmful stuff.
cons --> is the harmful emission is the only way to get illness from cookware.

Still, I think that C is better attack. Can some instructor shed some light on why OA is B?

thanks
Sunny

[kartik1979]

the ans of any CR question should be based on premise and concluison also if an ans falls in the region of could be and couldnt be then it is probably not the right ans

the whole arg talks about toxic chemicals released in air when a certain temperature is reached

the manufactures tries to refute saying that level of temperature wont be reached


Right Ans : the levell can be reached as per Ans B Direct attack

the Ans C - ppl complaining about illness because of using cookware.

maybe its due to cookware or due to other factors


try to connect the info given in question to main conclusion : i got more influenced in this type of reasoning after i faced the said question given below ,try it



The tiny country of Minlandia does not produce its
own television programming. Instead, the citizens of
Minlandia, who generally are fluent not only in their
native Minlandian, but also in Boltese, watch
Boltese-language television programs from
neighboring Bolta. Surveys show that the
Minlandians spend on average more hours per week
reading for pleasure and fewer hours per week
watching television than people anywhere else in the
world. A prominent psychologist accounts for the
survey results by explaining that people generally
prefer to be entertained in their native language,
even if they are perfectly fluent in other languages.
The explanation offered by the psychologist accounts
for the Minlandians' behavior only if which one of
the following is assumed?
The explanation offered by the psychologist accounts
for the Minlandians' behavior only if which one of
the following is assumed?
(A) Some Minlandians derive no pleasure from
watching television in a language other than
their native Minlandian.
(B) The study of Boltese is required of Minlandian
children as part of their schooling.
(C) The proportion of bilingual residents to total
population is greater in Minlandia than
anywhere else in the world.
(D) At least some of what the Minlandians read
for pleasure is in the Minlandian language.
(E) When Minlandians watch Boltese television
programs, they tend to ignore the fact that
they are hearing a foreign language spoken

[angad_mnnit]

the ans of any CR question should be based on premise and concluison also if an ans falls in the region of could be and couldnt be then it is probably not the right ans

the whole arg talks about toxic chemicals released in air when a certain temperature is reached

the manufactures tries to refute saying that level of temperature wont be reached


Right Ans : the levell can be reached as per Ans B Direct attack

the Ans C - ppl complaining about illness because of using cookware.

maybe its due to cookware or due to other factors


try to connect the info given in question to main conclusion : i got more influenced in this type of reasoning after i faced the said question given below ,try it



The tiny country of Minlandia does not produce its
own television programming. Instead, the citizens of
Minlandia, who generally are fluent not only in their
native Minlandian, but also in Boltese, watch
Boltese-language television programs from
neighboring Bolta. Surveys show that the
Minlandians spend on average more hours per week
reading for pleasure and fewer hours per week
watching television than people anywhere else in the
world. A prominent psychologist accounts for the
survey results by explaining that people generally
prefer to be entertained in their native language,
even if they are perfectly fluent in other languages.
The explanation offered by the psychologist accounts
for the Minlandians' behavior only if which one of
the following is assumed?
The explanation offered by the psychologist accounts
for the Minlandians' behavior only if which one of
the following is assumed?
(A) Some Minlandians derive no pleasure from
watching television in a language other than
their native Minlandian.
(B) The study of Boltese is required of Minlandian
children as part of their schooling.
(C) The proportion of bilingual residents to total
population is greater in Minlandia than
anywhere else in the world.
(D) At least some of what the Minlandians read
for pleasure is in the Minlandian language.
(E) When Minlandians watch Boltese television
programs, they tend to ignore the fact that
they are hearing a foreign language spoken

kartik1979, Is the answer to above question "A" as I find all other options wrong,

[kartik1979]

Ans is d

t least some of what the Minlandians read
for pleasure is in the Minlandian language.