GMAT - Analytical Writing Sample Questions
Question #9
9a. Briefly explain whether or not the following argument is a well-founded and sound argument: "Fellow board members, global warming has become a major concern amongst scientists across the world as they are projecting temperatures will continue to rise throughout the next century. This is a major problem, but it could be a great opportunity for us to increase our company's market share. With each passing year, the temperature is expected to rise, and with more and more scientists voicing their concerns, we can be certain this temperature increase will be significant. I propose that we immediately begin marketing campaigns in areas with colder climates warning them of the effects of global warming and informing our potential customers that they should prepare for the drastic temperature increase that will be coming by purchasing our air conditioners."
9b. This particular argument is not well-founded and is certainly not sound because the board member making the argument is assuming that the rise in temperature each year will be significant enough to make individuals in colder climates require air conditioners in the near future. This, however, is just not the case as even though global warming is a concern now due to all of the effects on a global scale that a small rise in temperature can have in the long-term, the temperature is only projected to increase in between 2 and 12 degrees Fahrenheit within the next 100 years. The board member in this example has based his or her entire assessment, argument, and proposal on the fact that scientists have been voicing their concerns about global warming and offers no additional support to the claims that are presented. As a result, even if the proposal had been sound, his argument is completely unfounded.