From Time to Time, The Press Indulges in Outbursts of Indignation Over GMAT critical reasoning

Question: From time to time, the press indulges in outbursts of indignation over the use of false or misleading information by the U.S. government in support of its policies and programs. No one endorses needless deception. But consider this historical analogy. It is known that Christopher Columbus, on his first voyage to the New World, deliberately falsified the log to show a shorter sailing distance for each day out than the ships had actually traveled. In this way, Columbus was able to convince his skeptical sailors that they had not sailed past the point at which they expected to find the shores of India. Without this deception, Columbus’s sailors might well have mutinied, and the New World might never have been discovered.

The author of the passage above assumes each of the following EXCEPT:

(A) Government deception of the press is often motivated by worthy objectives.
(B) Without government deception, popular support for worthwhile government policies and programs might well fade.
(C) Attacks on the government by the press are often politically motivated.
(D) Deception for deception’s sake should not be condoned.
(E) A greater good may sometimes require acceptance of a lesser evil.

“From time to time, the press indulges in outbursts of indignation over the use of false or misleading information” – is a GMAT Critical question. To answer the question, a candidate can by either finding a piece of evidence that would weaken the argument or logical flaws in the argument. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. This topic requires candidates to find the argument's strengths and weaknesses or the logical flaw in the argument. The GMAT CR section contains 10 -13 GMAT critical reasoning questions out of 36 GMAT verbal questions.

Answer: A
Explanation:

The GMAT's critical reasoning part evaluates a candidate's logical and analytical abilities. To arrive at a logically sound response, the applicant must employ reasoning and deduction skills.

Let's examine each choice individually.

A: Incorrect
This idea is supported by the first two lines and the analogy that follows. Straightened out, Line 1 informs us that the U.S. government "uses" inaccurate or deceptive information to support its policies and initiatives." The parallel shows that Christopher Columbus tricked his dubious crew. It prevented a possible mutiny, allowing the expedition to succeed even though the discovery of the New World, rather than India, was accidental. As a result, we learn that such behaviour is not unnecessary deception (line 2). The reasoning behind the similarity lends weight to the assumption in this answer choice. If the author has urged us to take into account this historical comparison. The government, like Christopher Columbus before it, must have noble goals. A is not correct.

B: Incorrect
The last word of the chapter makes it clear that without this deception, Columbus's seamen may very well have rebelled. Of course, a mutiny would signify a lack of popular support, and once more. If we are to consider why the passage's author uses this comparison to make a point. We can only draw the conclusion that this answer choice could be a reasonable inference.

C: Incorrect
According to line 1 of the passage, the press frequently expresses outrage about the United States government's use of inaccurate or deceptive information. There is no discernible political motive on the part of the press. To my sight, the media is only outraged at the government for deceiving its own people. Because this answer choice satisfies an EXCEPT condition, we do NOT have to assume that the author of the section above assumes it.

D: Incorrect
No one endorses needless deception, as the passage states in line 2. The similarity between that statement and this answer choice highlights the idea that the author of the passage above assumes. The deception for its own sake is unacceptable and should not be tolerated or endorsed. Others might disagree, but the passage's author does not.

E: Incorrect
Columbus' crew was tricked, but it was for their own good—so that they would follow his orders—and the outcome was the discovery of the New World. Similar to how the American government might purposely mislead its populace. However, lifting some of the languages from an earlier answer choice is for a good cause. The parallel would be useless if the passage's author had not made this supposition.

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