Logical reasoning PrepTest 109 · Section 4 · Question 2

Incorrect. If anything, this answer brings up a means by which the computer center could make up the $1m shortfall, which would undercut the argument.

Incorrect. The budgets of other programs don't speak to whether the computer center can find the $1m it needs to stay afloat, so this answer is out of scope.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen with Sufficient Premise

Stimulus Summary:
The computer center's budget from the trustees was reduced to $1.5m. It can't operate on anything under $2.5m. Therefore, it can't operate this year.

Answer Anticipation:
This argument makes a prediction—the computer center can't operate throughout the upcoming year. Why is this the case? Because of budgetary issues. To show that budgetary issues will shut down the computer center, it would need to be shown what the center needs in order to continue operating, and that the total money it has is lower than that amount.

Here, the argument establishes the former piece of information—the computer center "cannot operate" on less than $2.5m. That's an unequivocal statement without wiggle room—it can't somehow cut that number by, say, reducing services.

However, the argument fails to establish that the total amount it has to work with is that $1.5m from the board of trustees. It's possible that the center has other funding sources—such as a rich alum or a grant from the federal government. Any answer that establishes the computer center lacks alternative funding sources to make up the $1m between its trustee budget and its minimum operating budget will serve to justify the conclusion.

Answer Explanation:
If the computer center has no other source of funds, then there's no way that it's going to make up the $1m budget shortfall. This answer, then, guarantees it'll have to close—so it's correct.

Key Takeaway:
One way to approach a question is to determine what would need to be established to justify the conclusion, and then finding what part of that is missing from the premises.

Incorrect. This answer rules out one source of alternative funding, but it doesn't rule out all other sources, as (C) does, so it doesn't guarantee the computer center will have to cease operations.

Incorrect. Why the trustees decided to cut the computer center budget instead of other budgets doesn't say anything to whether the center can find another $1m to keep the doors open, so this answer is out of scope.