In Early Civilizations, the Development of the First Calendar System GMAT Critical Reasoning

Question: In early civilizations, the development of the first calendar system often coincided with the advancement of mathematics and astronomy. Granted, the practice of studying celestial bodies also gave rise to astrology and religion, which often had the effect of slowing the process of the former two areas. Nevertheless, it’s by no means impossible that these partly contradictory human pursuits had a common cause, or at least a common contributing cause. Therefore, in all likelihood, the advancement of agrarian science, which motivated the development of measuring seasons and time, led to improved understanding of mathematics and astronomy in early civilizations.

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

1. The first is a claim that the argument disputes; the second is a conclusion that has been based on that claim.
2. The first is a claim that has been used to support a conclusion that the argument accepts; the second is that conclusion.
3. The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion for which the argument provides further evidence; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.
4. The first is a finding whose implications are at issue in the argument; the second is a claim presented in order to argue against deriving certain implications from that finding.
5. The first is a finding whose accuracy is evaluated in the argument; the second is evidence presented to establish that the finding is accurate.

“In Early Civilizations, the Development of the First Calendar System Often Coincided with the Advancement of Mathematics and Astronomy” – is a GMAT Critical question. This particular GMAT Critical Reasoning topic has been taken from the book ‘501 GMAT Questions’. 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: This is a GMAT critical reasoning question. We have to select the option that constitutes the role that the two bold-faced portions play. Let’s go through each of the options individually and find the one that suits the argument given.

Option A: Incorrect
-Option A states that the first part is a claim that the argument disputes and the second part form the conclusion based on that claim. The first is a claim that the development of the first calendar system often coincided with the advancement of mathematics and astronomy but the same claim is supporting the second conclusion. So, Option A is incorrect.

Option B: Correct
-According to Option B, the first part is the claim that supports a conclusion and the second part is that conclusion. This is true because the first statement says that the development of the first calendar system often coincided with the advancement of mathematics and astronomy and the second one is the conclusion. So, Option B is correct.

Option C: Incorrect
-Option C states that the first part is evidence that supports a conclusion for which the argument provides evidence and the second part is the main conclusion. The first can not be evidence as evidence needs a base. The first is just introductory lines and can not be called evidence. So, Option C is incorrect.

Option D: Incorrect
-Option D states that the first part is a finding whose results are the issue in the argument and the second is a claim that is presented to argue against deriving results from that finding. This is wrong because we know that the second part is definitely a conclusion and not a claim. So, Option D is incorrect.

Option E: Incorrect
-Option E states that the first part is a finding whose correctness is measured in the argument and the second is evidence that is presented to show that the finding is accurate. This is also wrong because the second part is a conclusion and not evidence. So, Option E is incorrect.

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