As a large corporation in a small country, Hachnut wants its managers to have international experience, so [b]each year it sponsors management education abroad for its management trainees.[/b] Hachnut has found, however, that the attrition rate of graduates from this program is very high, with many of them leaving Hachnut to join competing firms soon after completing the program. Hachnut does use performance during the program as a criterion in deciding among candidates for management positions, but [b]both this function and the goal of providing international experience could be achieved in other ways[/b]. Therefore, if the attrition problem cannot be successfully addressed, Hachnut should discontinue the sponsorship program.

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

A. The first describes a practice that the argument seeks to justify; the second states a judgment that is used in support of a justification for that practice.

B. The first describes a practice that the argume nt seeks to explain; the second presents part of the argument’s explanation of that practice.

C. The first introduces a practice that the argument seeks to evaluate; the second provides grounds for holding that the practice cannot achieve its objective.

D. The first introduces a policy that the argument seeks to evaluate; the second provides grounds for holding that the policy is not needed.

E. The first introduces a consideration supporting a policy that the argument seeks to evaluate; the second provides evidence for concluding that the policy should be abandoned.

Source: Gmatprep.
OA: D

Any specific stategies for such questions?

hi --

depends on what you're asking here.

despite your use of the word “specific”, it sounds like you're asking for general strategies to solve this problem type (i.e., boldface problems in general).
if that's the case, then that doesn't really make sense as a forum post; that's the subject of an entire lecture, at least.
however, if you are looking for general strategies for this problem type, i've done an online lecture on it: see the APRIL 15 study hall recording at
http://www.manhattangmat.com/thursdays-with-ron.cfm

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if, on the other hand, you actually are looking for specific answers to this particular problem, please post some more detailed questions, including the following:
* what do you already understand about the passage and the argument? what do you not understand? (also, at what level is your comprehension of the language in the passage itself? -- is there any language barrier at issue here?)
* which answer choices have you already been able to eliminate, and why? between which answer choices are you still debating?

thanks.

May I ask a specifc question here?

Can identify two potential answers: C and D here. I can also tell that the 1st statement is about a practice that the argument seeks to evaluate.

However for the 2nd statement, I really cannot tell the difference in these two options. Could you kindly help? Thanks.

Jason

Thojason

The difference between C and D is that the intention is completely different.

2nd Statement C: is wrong because the bold face text does not say that the policy can not achieve the objective.
2nd Statemen D: is correct because it suport that the policy is not needed, in fact it sugest that the objective can be achieved in other ways.

(c) says that the program cannot achieve its objective(s) -- in other words, that the program definitely won't (and can't) do what it is intended to do.
the problem with this choice is that it's incorrect: the program does, as far as we know, accomplish its objectives.
specifically, the objectives of the program are:
* provide managers with international experience
* provide input in selecting candidates for management

according to the passage, the plan is accomplishing both of these objectives -- that's not the problem. the problem is something else: namely, people are leaving the company after completing the program, in order to go work for rival firms.

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choice (d) is supported by the passage.
note the conclusion of the passage: "if the attrition problem cannot be successfully addressed, Hachnut should discontinue the sponsorship program." note that the passage doesn't suggest any alternative for achieving the program's goals (= extra international experience + hiring/promotion input), so it can be inferred that the author thinks that these goals, while undoubtedly nice things, are an acceptable sacrifice (i.e., not necessary).