Lesson: Dissecting an Argument

Comment on Dissecting an Argument

Hi sir,
This is a part of question from Powerprep II software provided by ETS. When I came to determine the underlying assumptions of the argument given, I couldn't get the idea what underlying assumption help argument reach the conclusion, the one in the link provided below...
http://gre.myprepclub.com/forum/extensive-housing-construction-is-underway-in-pataska-forest-3300.html#p6798
My only question is how it can be analyzed in more simpler way to reach the best correct answer?

greenlight-admin's picture

Link: http://gre.myprepclub.com/forum/extensive-housing-construction-is-underw...

Tricky question!

The conclusion is that, once the housing is occupied, the annual number of the forest's deer hit by cars will be much higher than before construction started.

One of the assumptions here (once we read the answer choices) is that there will actually be deer remaining AFTER construction. If all of the deer disappear during construction, then the whole conclusion falls apart.

So, IF plenty of deer remain in the area, then many WILL be hit by cars

So, for the conclusion to be valid, we need answer choice D to be true.

Why answer B is wrong in that deer question?
If there won't an attraction to the road, not much change will happen, if any.
When I was answering on this I couldn't decide between B and D. D felt too obvious to be
the correct answer. How can I feel the limit between where I am looking for too obvious answers and between where the GRE is trying to trick me?
greenlight-admin's picture

Question link: https://gre.myprepclub.com/forum/extensive-housing-construction-is-under...

Great question!

Notice that the conclusion notes the NUMBER of deer that will be hit by cars: "Consequently, once the housing is occupied, the annual NUMBER of the forest's deer hit by cars will be much higher than before construction started."

B) Deer will be AS attracted to the forest edge around new houses AS to the forest edge alongside roads.
Answer choice B doesn't address the NUMBER of deer remaining. It's simply tells us that the remaining deer will be equally attracted to hanging out around the new houses as they are attracted to hanging out alongside roads.
So, with answer choice B, it could be the case that only 2 deer remain in the area after construction, and 1 deer likes to hang out around the new houses, and 1 deer likes to hang out alongside the road. In this scenario, the worst case is that 1 deer is hit by a car.

D) The development will leave sufficient forest to sustain a significant population of deer.
Answer choice D indirectly suggests that a significant NUMBER of deer will remain in the area, which means more deer will be hit by cars.

Have a question about this video?

Post your question in the Comment section below, and a GRE expert will answer it as fast as humanly possible.

Change Playback Speed

You have the option of watching the videos at various speeds (25% faster, 50% faster, etc). To change the playback speed, click the settings icon on the right side of the video status bar.

Let me Know

Have a suggestion to make the course even better? Email us today!

Free “Question of the Day” emails!