An Airplane Engine Manufacturer Developed a New Engine Model with Safety Features Lacking in the Earlier Model

Question: An airplane engine manufacturer developed a new engine model with safety features lacking in the earlier model, which was still being manufactured. During the first year that both were sold, the earlier model far outsold the new model; the manufacturer thus concluded that safety was not the customers’ primary consideration.

Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the manufacturer’s conclusion?

(A) Both private plane owners and commercial airlines buy engines from this airplane engine manufacturer.
(B) Many customers consider earlier engine models better safety risks than new engine models, since more is usually known about the safety of the earlier models.
(C) Many customers of this airplane engine manufacturer also bought airplane engines from manufacturers who did not provide additional safety features in their newer models.
(D) The newer engine model can be used in all planes in which the earlier engine model can be used.
(E) There was no significant difference in price between the newer engine model and the earlier engine model.

“An airplane engine manufacturer developed a new engine model with safety features lacking in the earlier model” – this is a GMAT Critical Reasoning question. This particular GMAT Critical Reasoning topic has been taken from the book ‘GMAT Critical Reasoning, By Manhattan Prep, 6th Edition’. In this particular topic, candidates need to choose the option that best suits the passage. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. Critical reasoning in GMAT requires candidates to find the strengths and weaknesses of the argument, or find the logical flaw in the argument. The GMAT CR section contains 10 -13 GMAT critical reasoning questions out of 36 GMAT verbal questions.

Answer: B
Explanation:

In this question, we are asked to find a weakened option choice for this conclusion drawn by the engine maker. This is weakening the argument type of question.

We need to think about what actually motivates the customer to still buy the old type engine. The option should be the one that weakens the author’s conclusion..

Let us check the options one at a time:

(A) Both private plane owners and commercial airlines buy engines from this airplane engine manufacturer. - Both private and commercial airlines are the customers of this engine maker. This is the only information provided. We are unable to conclude if this weakens the conclusion. Hence, this is an incorrect choice.

(B) Many customers consider earlier engine models better safety risks than new engine models, since more is usually known about the safety of the earlier models. - This option tells us that many customers thought earlier models were safer. This actually might have led them to believe and trust the old engine type more. Hence, can we say then that the customers were not safety conscious. We can say that they actually are safety conscious, which is why they are bothering to buy old engine types only. This option choice weakens the conclusion . Since this weakens the conclusion, it is the correct answer.

(C) Many customers of this airplane engine manufacturer also bought airplane engines from manufacturers who did not provide additional safety features in their newer models. - This option strengthens the conclusion. We are looking for something that weakens. Hence, this is incorrect.

(D) The newer engine model can be used in all planes in which the earlier engine model can be used. - The current plane engines in use by the customers can be easily changed to the new engines. So, a customer cannot make that excuse for not buying a new type engine. This actually strengthens the conclusion. Hence, it is an incorrect choice.

(E) There was no significant difference in price between the newer engine model and the earlier engine model. - This option says that the new engine type was more costly than the old engine. The customer could give this excuse for not buying the new type engine. But, as per the passage, now we know that this is not the case. Hence it is also an incorrect choice.

Suggested GMAT Critical Reasoning Samples

• Shelby Industries Manufactures and Sells the Same Gauges as Jones Industries.
• Building a space station, in which astronauts would live for a considerable time
• 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.
• Experienced pilots often have more trouble than novice pilots in learning to fly
• It is Difficult to Keep Deep Wounds Free of Bacteria.
• Jane drinks 4 Cups of Coffee Every Day.
• Johnson is on Firm Ground When he Asserts that the Early Editors of Dickinsons Poetry Often Distorted her Intentions
• One Reason why European Music has had Such a Strong Influence Throughout the World
• 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.
• Roland: The alarming fact is that 90 percent of the people in this country now report that they know someone who is unemployed.
• TOMMY: That telephone always rings when I am in the shower and can’t hear it.
• A major network news organization experienced a drop in viewership in the week
• 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.
• Turtles, like Other Reptiles, can Endure Long Fasts, in their Ability to Survive on Weekly
• A Diet High in Saturated Fats Increases a Person's Risk of Developing Heart Disease
• Carol is Shorter Than Juan, But She is Taller than Ed. Sandra is Shorter than Juan, and She is Shorter than Ed
• Ethicist: It Would be a Mistake to Say that Just Because Someone is Inclined to do Otherwise
• According to a study, after a week of high-altitude living, twenty men had slimmed down.
• 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.
• Using oil-based paints to paint walls or furniture requires the use of turpentine and each coat takes a long time to dry.