Critical Reasoning: Boldface Type Questions
Architecture firms compete by presenting plans and models in order to obtain contracts for projects. The firm chosen by the initiator of a project earns a great deal financially and also receives much recognition. Forming an impressive presentation that includes the necessary plans and models is extremely costly and time-consuming, and for this reason the XL architecture firm is considering a reduction in their presentation activity. Presentations are an inherent part of cultivating growth in the world of architecture, and firms that minimize costs by refraining to invest in them will miss important business opportunities.
In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly. Because the second boldface portion presents a prediction about an unknown future, it cannot be referred to as a certain outcome, which already happened.
Incorrect.
An opinion is someone's personal belief which can either be true or false. The first boldface portion is factual information - a premise. You can immediately eliminate answer choices that incorrectly define
the first boldface part; do not waste time reading the rest.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly. The second boldface portion, describes the possible results of applying the reduction, rather than avoiding it.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly. The phrase questions the accuracy means to say that something is not true. The second boldface portion does not question whether creating presentations is costly or time-consuming; it questions whether this means companies should reduce their presentations budget.
Terrific work!
The first boldface portion presents information supporting the reduction suggested in XL's presentation budget (presentations cost too much); the second explains why it should be avoided (it will make XL miss business opportunities).
