The Dear One Baby Carrier is the Safest and Most Comfortable Baby

Question: The Dear One Baby Carrier is the safest and most comfortable baby carrier available today. The hard plastic exterior retains its shape when subjected to minor impacts, while the thick interior “comfort pad” acts as a shock absorber. The design is based on the results of the most comprehensive baby carrier study performed to date, which analyzed comfort preferences both of infants placed inside the carriers and of adults carrying the devices. As a bonus, the Dear One Baby Carrier converts easily from an at-large carrier to a car seat, reducing the risk to infants when they are being transferred from a carrier to a car seat.

Which of the following, if true, would most undermine the safety and comfort claims made about the Dear One Baby Carrier?

1. The hard plastic exterior of the Dear One Baby Carrier does not retain its shape when dropped from an average carrying height.
2. On average, the number of babies injured each year while riding in a car seat is greater than the number of babies injured each year while being transferred from a carrier to a car seat.
3. According to the study on which the design of the Dear One Baby Carrier was based, the percentage of infants who prefer the comfort of a baby carrier scheduled to be released next year by a rival company is significantly higher than the percentage of infants who prefer the comfort of the Dear One Baby Carrier.
4. Studies suggest that car seats that double as baby carriers are, on average, slightly less safe than single-function baby car seats.
5. A rival company has successfully replicated the design of the Dear One Baby Carrier while utilizing a new type of plastic that is significantly stronger and lighter than the type used in the Dear One Baby Carrier.

“The Dear One Baby Carrier is the Safest and Most Comfortable Baby” – this is a GMAT Critical question. This particular GMAT Critical Reasoning topic has been taken from the book ‘501 GMAT Questions’. In this particular topic, candidates need to choose the option that best suits the passage. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. Critical reasoning in GMAT requires candidates to find the strengths and weaknesses of the argument, or find the logical flaw in the argument.  The GMAT CR section contains 10 -13 GMAT critical reasoning questions out of 36 GMAT verbal questions.

Answer: E
Explanation: This is a GMAT critical reasoning question. An assumption is an implied hypothesis. So we are looking for something that is implied in the argument. In case it is wrong or maybe disable the argument.

Let's go through the given assumptions that fit the argument:

1. Incorrect.
   Never does the author assert that when the carrier is dropped from a typical carrying height, the exterior would maintain its form. The only thing the author asserts is that it would keep its form even after moderate collisions. Choice (A) can be disregarded because it does not cast doubt on the passage's assertions.
2. Incorrect.
   It doesn't matter how many transfer injuries there are compared to how many car seat injuries they are. The only thing that counts is if the carrier lessens the risk to babies when they are moved from a carrier to a car seat. Choice (B) can be disregarded because it has no bearing on the author's statements.
3. Incorrect.
   Here in option C, it is mentioned that only one Baby Carrier is the safest and most comfortable baby carrier available that very day. According to the author, it doesn't matter how the Dear One stacks up against a carrier that will be made available the following year. Eliminate (C).
4. Incorrect.
   There is no compelling evidence to suggest that ALL dual-function carriers are less safe than single-function infant car seats, given that dual-function carriers are only marginally less safe overall. Choice (D) would not necessarily contradict the author's assertions if The Dear One was safer than the typical dual-function carrier. Eliminate (D).
5. Correct.
   If this is the case, then the carrier from the competing firm will have all of the same benefits as the Dear One. The competitor's carrier will also be made of tougher and lighter plastic. In other words, the competitor carrier's stronger and lighter plastic is the only distinction between the two. This casts doubt on the author's thesis by implying that the rival's carrier would be even safer and cozier than the Dear One.
   The best response is option (E).

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