-modified.png?h=56&w=56&mode=stretch)
Question:The U.S. census is not perfect: thousands of Americans probably go uncounted. However, the basic statistical portrait of the nation painted by the census is accurate. Certainly some of the poor go uncounted, particularly the homeless; but some of the rich go uncounted as well, because they are often abroad or traveling between one residence and another.
Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument above depends?
(A) Both the rich and the poor have personal and economic reasons to avoid being counted by the census.
(B) All Americans may reasonably be classified as either poor or rich.
(C) The percentage of poor Americans uncounted by the census is close to the percentage of rich Americans uncounted.
(D) The number of homeless Americans is approximately equal to the number of rich Americans.
(E) The primary purpose of the census is to analyze the economic status of the American population.
Answer: C
Explanation:
Given that The U.S. census isn't perfect; possibly thousands of people are missed. But the general statistical picture of the country that the census paints is correct. Some of the poor don't get counted, especially the homeless. But some of the rich don't get counted either, because they are often out of the country or moving from one place to another.
Let's approach the answer choices.
A: Incorrect
Nobody cares why people don't fill out the census; what matters is how many of them do.
B: Incorrect
This goes along with my second guess, but the wording is too strong. We don't need all Americans to be poor or rich for the argument to work, because even if there were some Americans who couldn't be put into either category, the argument would still work. It would get a little confusing (what about those people in the middle class? ), but we wouldn't have solid proof that the census was bad.
C: Correct
This is related to my initial assumption and difficult to figure out, so breaking down the arithmetic helps. Imagine there are 100 persons in the country but only 80 count. If 50 poor, 50 rich is reality and 50 poor and 30 rich are counted, we'd have missed 66% of the rich and 0% of the poor, and our count doesn't accurately reflect America's breakdown. Even if we miss 10 poor and 10 rich (the same percentage of 50), our country's statistics are still accurate (40 and 40 out of 80, versus 50 and 50 out of 100).
D: Incorrect
It makes no difference in this context how many actual persons there are in each category. We are solely interested in the breakdown of the percentages.
E: Incorrect
The only thing that matters are the census's statistical results; its goal is irrelevant.
“The U.S. census is not perfect: thousands of Americans probably go uncounted”– is a GMAT Critical question. To answer the question, a candidate can either find a piece of evidence that would weaken the argument or have logical flaws in the argument. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. This topic requires candidates to find the argument's strengths and weaknesses or the logical flaw in the argument. The GMAT CR section contains 10 -13 GMAT critical reasoning questions out of 36 GMAT verbal questions.
Suggested GMAT Critical Reasoning Questions
- According to a study, after a week of high-altitude living, twenty men had slimmed down. GMAT critical reasoning
- Shelby Industries Manufactures and Sells the Same Gauges as Jones Industries. GMAT critical reasoning
- Building a space station, in which astronauts would live for a considerable time GMAT critical reasoning
- The interview is an essential part of a successful hiring program because, with it, job applicants who have personalities that are unsuited to the requirements of the job will be eliminated from consideration. GMAT critical reasoning
- According to a recent study, retirees in the United States are four times more likely to give regular financial aid to their children as to receive it from them. GMAT critical reasoning
- Using oil-based paints to paint walls or furniture requires the use of turpentine and each coat takes a long time to dry.GMAT critical reasoning
- President of the United States: I have Received over 2,000 Letters on this Issue, and the Vast Majority of them Support my Current Position. GMAT critical reasoning
- Roland: The alarming fact is that 90 percent of the people in this country now report that they know someone who is unemployed. GMAT critical reasoning
- TOMMY: That telephone always rings when I am in the shower and can’t hear it. GMAT critical reasoning
- A major network news organization experienced a drop in viewership in the week GMAT critical reasoning
- Experienced pilots often have more trouble than novice pilots in learning to fly GMAT critical reasoning
- It is Difficult to Keep Deep Wounds Free of Bacteria. GMAT critical reasoning
- Jane drinks 4 Cups of Coffee Every Day. GMAT critical reasoning
- Johnson is on Firm Ground When he Asserts that the Early Editors of Dickinsons Poetry Often Distorted her Intentions GMAT critical reasoning
- One Reason why European Music has had Such a Strong Influence Throughout the World GMAT critical reasoning
- The Elk City Garbage Dumps are so Full that Elk City has Been Forced to Pay a Large Sum to Caribou City to Accept much of Elk City’s Garbage. GMAT critical reasoning
- Manufacturers of household appliances are still urging the public to purchase food processors GMAT Critical Reasoning
- From time to time, the press indulges in outbursts of indignation over GMAT critical reasoning
- The tax system of the Republic of Grootland encourages borrowing by granting its taxpayers GMAT Critical Reasoning
- Advances in photocopying technology allow criminals with no printing expertise GMAT Critical Reasoning
- Professor A: We must make a strong moral statement against Country X’s policies GMAT Critical Reasoning
- In 1988, a significant percentage of seals in the Baltic Sea died GMAT Critical Reasoning
- Contrary to the charges made by some of its opponents GMAT Critical Reasoning
- A Year After The Start An Experiment To Decrease Crime GMAT Critical Reasoning
- Since the invention of digital readout, machine designers have rushed GMAT Critical Reasoning
- Many companies have been pushing for a three-week extension of daylight GMAT Critical Reasoning
- In All Mammalian Species, the Period of a Young Mammal’s Life GMAT Critical Reasoning
- Manufacturers of household appliances are still urging the public to purchase food processors GMAT critical reasoning
- Contrary to the Statements of Labour Leaders, the Central Economic Problem GMAT Critical Reasoning
- From time to time, the press indulges in outbursts of indignation over GMAT Critical Reasoning
- Exhaust released from a combustion engine is harmful when breathed in significant quantities.GMAT Critical Reasoning
- The tax system of the Republic of Grootland encourages borrowing by granting its taxpayers GMAT Critical Reasoning
- Advances in photocopying technology allow criminals with no printing expertise GMAT Critical Reasoning
- Professor A: We must make a strong moral statement against Country X’s policies GMAT Critical Reasoning
- According to an Independent Computer-Industry Analyst, the New Regent Microcomputer GMAT Critical Reasoning
- In Today’s Pluralistic Society, Textbook Publishers Find Themselves in an Increasingly Uncomfortable Position GMAT Critical Reasoning
- Economies in which a high percentage of resources are invested in research and development GMAT Critical Reasoning
- Columnist: The country is presently debating legislation GMAT Critical Reasoning
- When People Evade Income Taxes by not Declaring Taxable Income GMAT Critical Reasoning
- Utrania was formerly a major petroleum exporter, but in recent decades economic stagnation GMAT Critical Reasoning
- Useful protein drugs, such as insulin, must still be administered by the cumbersome GMAT Critical Reasoning
- Unripe Lychee Fruit Contain a Compound called Hypoglycin GMAT Critical Reasoning
- Tiger Beetles are such Fast Runners that they can Capture Virtually any Nonflying Insect GMAT Critical Reasoning
- According to a recent study, retirees in the United States are four times more likely to give regular financial aid to their children as to receive it from them GMAT Critical Reasoning
- Roland: The alarming fact is that 90 percent of the people in this country now report that they know someone who is unemployed GMAT Critical Reasoning
- TOMMY: That telephone always rings when I am in the shower and can’t hear it GMAT Critical Reasoning
- A major network news organisation experienced a drop in viewership in the week GMAT Critical Reasoning
- It is Difficult to Keep Deep Wounds Free of Bacteria GMAT Critical Reasoning
- Carol is Shorter Than Juan, But She is Taller than Ed. Sandra is Shorter than Juan, and She is Shorter than Ed GMAT critical reasoning
- Ethicist: It Would be a Mistake to Say that Just Because Someone is Inclined to do Otherwise GMAT critical reasoning
Comments