Because they can Craft Objects of a New Design Without having Extrusion Fittings Custom-Designed for that Purpose

Question: Because they can craft objects of a new design without having extrusion fittings custom-designed for that purpose, 3D printers have an application in building prototypes of new models of objects long before those new models are on production lines, and it was on this basis that they first captured the interest of the market. However, suitability for prototyping does not limit 3D printers to prototyping, and in fact their capability to craft items without specialized fittings for each design can allow them, in essence, to be the production line. 3D printers have this natural application to mass-production in part because they can produce items at a cost competitive with that of production lines.

In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

1. The first and the second each describe evidence that has been used to challenge the position that the argument seeks to establish.
2. The first is evidence that forms the basis for an objection to the position that the argument seeks to establish; the second is that position.
3. The first is evidence that forms the basis for an objection to the position that the argument seeks to establish; the second is a consideration that is introduced to counter the force of that evidence.
4. The first and the second each provide evidence in support of the position that the argument seeks to establish.
5. The first provides evidence in support of the position that the argument seeks to establish; the second is that position.

Because they can Craft Objects of a New Design Without having Extrusion Fittings Custom Designed for that Purpose – is a GMAT critical reasoning topic. This GMAT Critical Reasoning topic has been taken from the book ‘ GMAT Official Guide 2022 Bundle’. In this particular topic, candidates are asked to select the most appropriate explanation that states the role that boldface plays. In this question, the candidates need to provide an option that supports the argument provided in 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: C
Solution and Explanation:

In the given question, we see boldfaced sentences. So we can be certain that the question will involve identifying the logical roles of the sentences. When we check the question statement, this is confirmed.

Now, we will go through the argument and identify the logical role of each sentence. Once that is found, we will not analyze the argument further.

We will look for the sentence that starts With or Includes function

The first statement says: "3D printers have an application". We can draw this as an evidence of function.

Now, we get second which is: "However, suitability for prototyping". This is a Partial contradiction, since it starts with “However”.

The third evidence is: "3D printers have this natural application" which also states a function which is having natural application.

We will now be creating a filter: the word "however" signals a shift in perspective. Both boldfaced portions are supporting statements; the first supports the first opinion (which is implicit), and the second supports the second opinion, which contradicts the first to some degree. We have our answer prediction.

Let us apply the filter:
(A), (D), and (E) all express the statements as on the same side of the argument, so they are all out.
We're now left with only (B) and (C).

We will be focussing on these two statements;

We can see (B) is wrong because of its latter part of the sentence. The second boldfaced statement does not express a position or function, but rather an explanation supporting the second position.

So (C) must be the answer. We can confirm this. The "position that the argument seeks to establish" is that 3D printers can function as a production line. Indeed, the first statement is the basis for the first opinion, the objection to the idea that the 3D printers can be the production line. And the second, is a consideration that is introduced to counter the force of that evidence. They can be mass-production even though they are good at prototyping.

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