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VerbalCritical Reasoning

Free GMAT Critical Reasoning Practice Question

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The historic town hall needs extensive roof repairs. One faction on the council wants to demolish the building and replace it with a modern civic center, while another wants to restore it. Restoration would preserve a landmark that draws tourists and anchors the town's annual festival, and a preservation grant would cover most of the cost. Accordingly, the council should restore the town hall rather than demolish it.

Which of the following best expresses the main conclusion of the argument?

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Answer & Explanation

Correct answer

D

Locate the claim the reasons converge on, and use the signal word. The final sentence opens with Accordingly, marking the conclusion the argument has been building toward.

The reasons, that restoration preserves a tourist-drawing landmark and that a grant covers most of the cost, support one recommendation: restore the town hall rather than demolish it. That is choice D.

A, the need for roof repairs, states the problem prompting the debate, a premise. B, the grant covering the cost, is a supporting reason about funding. C, the building's tourist and festival value, is evidence used to support restoration, not the point argued. E, a blanket rule against ever demolishing landmarks, goes far beyond the argument, which concerns only this town hall.