Logical reasoning PrepTest 102 · Section 3 · Question 2

Question prompt

A large number of Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: C

The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.

Argument or Facts

Argument

Valid or Flawed

Flawed

Question Type

Strengthen with Necessary Premise Questions

Stimulus Summary

Problem - A large number of drivers speed, and this is a significant cause of most accidents Solution - Install a device that prevents speeding Predicted outcome - Most accidents would be prevented

Answer Anticipation

This argument bridges the gap between two general argument structures. The first is the Problem/Solution passage, where a problem is presented, and a solution is put forward. The second is a Change/Prediction passage - here, the solution is predicted to prevent most accidents. Both of these have common flaws, and here, they point to the same anticipated answer. For Problem/Solution passages where the author argues for a specific solution, the argument is generally flawed in that it doesn’t eliminate all potential problems with the solution. As such, we can expect correct answers to deal with those problems. For a Change/Prediction passage, the argument is generally flawed because it fails to show that the change won’t have unexpected outcomes that would prevent the prediction from coming to pass. The correct answer addresses these other changes. Both of these patterns lead us to the same place - let’s look for an answer that highlights some change caused by these new devices that would stop them from preventing accidents. And since this is a Strengthen with Necessary Premise question, we’re looking for something that rules out this problem with the devices.

Answer choices

  1. A
    A person need not Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    The argument does assume that these devices will be generally installed, but that doesn’t require it to be something that a person could install at home! Maybe a new law would force everyone to head to their mechanic to have it installed.
  2. B
    Most accidents are caused Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    If anything, this calls into question the conclusion by highlighting another important factor in accidents that wouldn’t be addressed with the new device.
  3. C
    A Driver seldom needs Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C matches the stem
    This answer rules out a potential downside to the device that would lead to more accidents, which would call the conclusion into question. If drivers frequently need to exceed the speed limit to avoid an accident, then the new devices might lead to more accidents than they prevent, undermining the prediction. This answer is therefore a necessary premise.
  4. D
    Most drivers who exceed Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    The intent of the driver is out of scope - what matters is whether they drive over the speed limit. And since the new device prevents driving faster than the speed limit, that’d stop people who intended to speed as well as those who didn’t.
  5. E
    Even if the fines Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    This is a common type of trap answer. In arguments that argue simply one solution would work, other solutions are out of scope. It’s only if the argument concludes that a given solution is the only solution that would work, or would work best that other solutions matter.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A 5%
  2. B 1%
  3. C Credited 71%
  4. D 13%
  5. E 10%

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