In a Taste Test, Participants Were Asked to Try Two Versions of a Cola

Question: 
In a taste test, participants were asked to try two versions of a cola: one regular and one called "Cola Extra" that contained an additional secret ingredient. Two different groups of tasters were told in advance which sample was "Cola Extra", but only the second group was told that the secret ingredient in "Cola Extra" was white vinegar. Members of the first group preferred “Cola Extra” by a margin of almost two to one, while over 80% of the members of the second group preferred the regular cola.

If the statements above are all true, which of the following can properly be inferred on the basis of them?

(A) Knowing the identity of a beverage's ingredients may affect a consumer's enjoyment of that beverage.
(B) The version of “Cola Extra” given to the second group contained a higher concentration of white vinegar than the version given to the first group.
(C) Most members of the second group do not enjoy the taste of white vinegar.
(D) Members of the first group were given the “Cola Extra” sample first, leaving an aftertaste that negatively influenced the taste of the regular cola.
(E) Beverage companies producing colas should not reveal the identity of their colas' secret ingredients.

“In a taste test, participants were asked to try two versions of a cola” – is a GMAT critical reasoning topic. This GMAT Critical Reasoning topic has been taken from the book ‘Manhattan prep GMAT Critical Reasoning 6th Edition’. In this particular topic, candidates are asked to select the option that makes the same error as the author. In this question, the candidates need to provide an option that supports the error provided in the passage. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. Critical reasoning in GMAT 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: 

Question type: Inference question. GMAT critical reasoning questions based on inference ask the candidates to provide logical conclusions based on evidence as given in the passage. Inference GMAT critical reasoning questions will contain words like ‘infer’ or ‘imply’.

Let us understand the given information and pay close attention to the author's word choice:

In the argument, we see two different groups of testers and two different types of cola. One is the regular cola and the other is the extra cola. The samples were revealed to both groups and they knew the extra and regular cola. The second group was told about the secret ingredient in the cola white vinegar. 

The results of the taste test were as follows:

• Members of the first group (does not know the secret ingredient) preferred “Cola Extra” by a margin of almost two to one.
• Above 80% of the members of the second group ( knows the secret ingredient) preferred regular cola.

Now, let us check the given inferred statements:

Option A: Members of the first group did not know the secret ingredient, they preferred Cola Extra. Members of the second group knew the secret ingredient, they preferred regular cola. This suggests that knowing the secret ingredient affected the tasters' enjoyment of Cola Extra. Hence, option (A) is consistent with the evidence in the passage, so this is the correct answer.

Option B: Option B explains the results of the taste test. The passage suggests nothing in this case. We knew that one group knew the secret ingredient and the other did not. So, this is not enough to support option (B).

Option C: We know the members of the second group selected regular cola, but the reason is not mentioned. Option (C) offers a likely explanation for the results. But there is no strong evidence..

Option D: Option (D) suggests a possible explanation for the results. Option (D) might make sense, but the passage does not suggest that this is actually what happened. So eliminate option (D).

Option E: The results of the taste test should not reveal the secret ingredient. The secret ingredient white vinegar is mentioned, but we do not know whether revealing the secret ingredients is a good idea or bad. Option (E) is too general and can be eliminated.

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