Logical reasoning PrepTest 107 · Section 4 · Question 7

Question prompt

Conservationist: The population 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

Principle Questions / Strengthen Questions

Stimulus Summary

Problem - A wildflower is headed for extinction
Solution - Cross-pollinating with a daisy
Problem with solution - The hybrid flower would be different from the wildflower
Opinion - That’s better than losing the wildflower altogether
Conclusion - The daisy should be cross-pollinated with the wildflower

Answer Anticipation

This argument falls into a common pattern - a Problem/Solution pattern. It features a pretty interesting variation on it, though! Let’s dive in and see.
Here, the Conservationist notes a problem - the wildflower is going extinct. She also puts forward a solution - cross-pollinating it with a daisy. However, there’s a problem with this solution - the resulting hybrid will be “markedly” different from the wildflower.
Normally, when the author calls out a problem with a proposed solution, it’s either to conclude that the solution won’t work, or to put forward another solution. Here, however, is where the interesting variation to the normal pattern shows up. Instead, she argues that, while the problem with the solution is real, it’s better to accept that problem than to lose the wildflower to extinction (the starting problem).
So, in short, the Conservationist argues that the initial problem is bigger than the one with the solution, and so the solution should be implemented. That relative weighting of the two problems is the crux of her argument, so let’s find an answer that establishes a principle backing that up. Something like:
If the choice is between changing something and losing it, you should change it.

Answer choices

  1. A
    It is better to Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    Creating a hybrid isn’t necessarily accepting a “less valuable substitute.” There’s no discussion of value in the stimulus! Also, it’s not really “preserving” an organism if you radically change it.
  2. B
    It is better to Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    Similar to (A), what the Conservationist is proposing isn’t really preserving an organism, as it’s changing drastically. Additionally, there’s no indication that the resulting hybrid or remaining wildflowers wouldn’t be vigorous.
  3. C
    It is better to Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C matches the stem
    This answer establishes a principle that lines up with the Conservationist’s weighing of two problems. She argues that hybridizing the wildflower with the daisy should be done, even though this would fundamentally change the wildflower, because it’s a better option than losing it. In other words, it’s better to change an organism than lose it entirely, as this answer states.
  4. D
    It is better to Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    The Conservationist isn’t arguing for destroying organisms, she doesn’t bring up two organisms that are competing, and there’s no indication that the daisy is at threat of being lost.
  5. E
    It is better to Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    First, hybridizing the wildflower isn’t necessarily the same as protecting it. Second, there’s no indication that the hybridization the Conservationist recommends would have a negative effect on the daisy.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

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

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