Logical reasoning PrepTest 103 · Section 1 · Question 25

Question prompt

Sasha: Handwriting analysis should Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: B

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

Argument or Facts

Argument/Argument

Valid or Flawed

Flawed/Flawed

Question Type

Methods of Reasoning Questions

Stimulus Summary

S: Handwriting analysts exaggerate on the stand, so this analysis should be banned in court. G: Right now, sure, but that’s because there’s no licensing board. Once there is, handwriting analysis will be useful for character assessments.

Answer Anticipation

Whenever a Methods of Reasoning question features a second speaker, we should start with a couple considerations: Does the second speaker agree or disagree with the first speaker’s conclusion? If she disagrees, does she think it’s wrong or unsupported? Does the second speaker agree or disagree with the first speaker’s premises? Logic/assumptions? Does she bring up a new consideration? Here, Gregory’s rebuttal is interesting in that he agrees with Sasha in the short-term, so he’s on board with her argument. However, he notes that the problem she highlights has a solution - forming a licensing board for handwriting analysts. With that in place, he argues, the problem will be addressed and handwriting analysis will be useful in courts. So Gregory agrees with Sasha’s argument on the current state of affairs while suggesting that the problem she brings up could be solved with a certain change. Let’s find an answer reflecting that.

Answer choices

  1. A
    He ignores evidence introduced Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    Gregory agrees with Sasha’s current assessment, and his suggested solution doesn’t contradict that handwriting analysts currently exaggerate on the stand. If anything, the need for a board is supported by Sasha’s premise!
  2. B
    He defends a principle Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B matches the stem
    This answer is really abstract, so we should try to match up language from this answer to the stimulus. Does Gregory defend a principle? Sure - we can say that handwriting analysis being a legitimate courtroom tool is a principle. Does he restrict the class to which it applies? Yep - his conclusion says that this is true when the analysis is done by “licensed practitioners.” This answer, therefore, describes his rebuttal, so this is the correct answer.
  3. C
    He abstracts a general Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    Gregory doesn’t present any specific evidence of his claim - if anything, he relies on general evidence on what is causing the problem in allowing handwriting analysis in the courtroom!
  4. D
    He identifies a self–contradictory Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    Gregory agrees with Sasha’s argument (at least, for now), so he doesn’t point out a contradiction in it!
  5. E
    He shows that Sasha's Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    The undesirable characteristic that Sasha condemns is exaggeration in court. Gregory doesn’t accuse Sasha of exaggeration (or of making such claims in a court of law), so this answer is incorrect.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A 9%
  2. B Credited 73%
  3. C 10%
  4. D 2%
  5. E 6%

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