Logical reasoning PrepTest 106 · Section 2 · Question 4

Question prompt

Whittaker: There can be Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: A

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/Valid

Question Type

Methods of Reasoning Questions

Stimulus Summary

W: A 1st year med school dropout doesn’t have a second year, so they can’t drop out before their second year. H: Then I can’t die before I make a million, so I’m destined to be rich.

Answer Anticipation

Normally, when approaching a Methods of Reasoning question that features two speakers, we go through an analysis of how the second speaker feels about the conclusion and premises of the first speaker. However, there’s an exception to that - when the second speaker uses a common method of rebuttal. Here, that’s the case. Whenever a rebuttal uses the original speaker’s own logic against them, we have a Reduction to the Absurd response. We can tell one is coming since Hudson starts with “By your reasoning.” Even if you’re a bit confused by what Whittaker and Hudson are arguing, you can use this phrase to anticipate an answer - that Hudson shows Whittaker’s argument is flawed by using his logic to reach an absurd conclusion. Let’s find an answer reflecting this common method of reasoning.

Answer choices

  1. A
    showing that a relevantly Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A matches the stem
    This answer describes the Reduction to the Absurd method of rebuttal. Hudson uses Whittaker’s reasoning to reach an untenable conclusion - that it’s inevitable she will end up a millionaire.
  2. B
    citing a specific example Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    Hudson brings up a hypothetical, not a specific example. On top of that, Whittaker’s general claim is about med school, but Hudson’s hypothetical situation isn’t, so it can’t serve as a counterexample.
  3. C
    pointing out that Whittaker Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    Hudson says that her becoming a millionaire is a necessary situation - it will happen. So, if anything, she’s saying that Whittaker is mistaking a possible situation for a necessary one. Even that strains the language a bit!
  4. D
    claiming that what Whittaker Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    Hudson doesn’t discuss how Whittaker acts, so this answer is out of scope.
  5. E
    showing that Whittaker's argument Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    Whittaker doesn’t look at a specific case, and Hudson brings up her own hypothetical, so this answer is incorrect.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A Credited 88%
  2. B 4%
  3. C 5%
  4. D 1%
  5. E 2%

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Discussion

  • A 1 reply

    Started by bihaoqing@gmail.com

  • Why is the answer C? 6 replies

    Started by manvir

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