Theme-park spokesperson: We regret that four visitor fatalities GMAT Critical Reasoning

Question: Theme-park spokesperson: We regret that four visitor fatalities occurred last year in separate accidents at our company’s theme parks. All four deaths involved roller coasters on which riders stand rather than sit, and all victims were children under age 12. We have since closed down all of our “standing” roller coasters, and our new policies prohibit any child under age 12 from riding any of our coasters. I can confidently state that all coasters currently operating at our parks are perfectly safe forany person age 12 or older.

Which of the following investigations would be most useful in evaluating the spokesperson’s safety assessment of the roller coasters currently operating at the company’s parks?

(A) Surveying park visitors to determine the extent to which they are concerned about their safety when riding roller coasters
(B) Determining the specific cause of death in the case of each of the four roller-coaster accidents
(C) Comparing industry-wide safety records for “standing” roller coasters to safety records for coasters in which riders sit
(D) Scrutinizing the repair and maintenance records for the roller coasters involved in the fatal accidents
(E) Determining the incidence of nonfatal accidents involving all roller coasters at the company’s parks that are currently in operation

Explanation
:

Given that theme-park spokesperson: Our theme parks had four fatalities last year. Four children under 12 died on stand-up roller coasters. Our "standing" roller coasters have been closed, and our new policies ban children under 12 from riding them. I can confidently say that all coasters at our parks are safe for 12+ year olds.

Let's approach the answer choices.

A: Incorrect
While this investigation addresses the concerns of park visitors regarding their safety on roller coasters, it does not directly evaluate the safety assessment made by the spokesperson. The extent to which visitors are concerned about their safety does not provide direct information about the actual safety of the roller coasters or their compliance with industry standards.

B: Incorrect
While determining the specific cause of death in each of the four roller-coaster accidents is important for understanding the individual incidents, it may not directly evaluate the spokesperson's safety assessment of the roller coasters currently operating at the company's parks.

C: Incorrect
While comparing industry-wide safety records for standing roller coasters to those with sitting riders could provide some useful information, it does not directly evaluate the spokesperson's safety assessment of the roller coasters currently operating at the company's parks.

D: Incorrect
While scrutinizing the repair and maintenance records for the roller coasters involved in the fatal accidents is important for understanding any potential maintenance issues or lapses, it may not directly evaluate the spokesperson's safety assessment of the roller coasters currently operating at the company's parks. The focus of the spokesperson's statement is on the safety of the roller coasters currently in operation and the new policies implemented to address the previous accidents.

E: Correct
This investigation is important because it examines the frequency of nonfatal accidents on all roller coasters currently operating at the company's parks. While the spokesperson claims that the coasters are perfectly safe for individuals aged 12 or older, it is crucial to assess the overall safety record of these coasters to determine if there have been any other incidents that might contradict the safety assessment.


“Theme-park spokesperson: We regret that four visitor fatalities”– 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.

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