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VerbalCritical Reasoning

Free GMAT Critical Reasoning Practice Question

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A manufacturer argues as follows: A reshoring plan succeeds only if the new domestic plant reaches full output within a year. Our rivals' reshoring plans all failed to reach full output within a year. Our plan, by contrast, is on track to reach full output within a year. Therefore our reshoring plan will succeed. Which of the following most accurately describes a flaw in the manufacturer's reasoning?

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Answer & Explanation

Correct answer

A

The argument states that reaching full output within a year is required for success, that is, a necessary condition. From the firm's being on track to meet that condition it concludes success is assured. But a necessary condition is not sufficient: meeting it removes one obstacle yet does not guarantee the outcome, since other things could still derail the plan.

(A) names this necessary-treated-as-sufficient slip. Each other choice names a genuine flaw type the argument does not commit: (B) hasty generalization, but the conclusion is only about this firm; (C) false analogy, but the argument separates itself from rivals; (D) ad hominem, but no one is attacked; (E) equivocation, but the terms are stable. Only (A) describes the flaw actually present.