Logical reasoning PrepTest 111 · Section 3 · Question 12

Question prompt

Despite the fact that Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: E

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

Argument or Facts

Facts

Valid or Flawed

NA

Question Type

Bizarro / Paradox Questions

Stimulus Summary

Antilock braking systems (ABS) are designed as a safety feature, but drivers with ABS cars are in more accidents than drivers without ABS.

Answer Anticipation

As with all Paradox questions, we should start by carefully defining the paradox that we’re meant to resolve.
Here, we have a system that’s designed to make cars safer. However, in reality, those who drive cars with them end up in more accidents than drivers without them. That’s a comparison, and Paradox questions frequently deal with comparisons.
Here, since the comparison is that the two types of braking systems have different safety outcomes, we should look for answers that establish a difference between an ABS and a traditional braking system that is relevant to the accident rates for them.

Answer choices

  1. A
    Most cars equipped with Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    This brings up a relevant difference between cars with and without the safety feature. If the cars with an ABS are driven more recklessly than those without one, it makes sense that they end up in more accidents.
  2. B
    Antilock brakes malfunction more Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    If the ABS system malfunctions more frequently than regular brakes, that could explain the higher accident rate. This is another relevant difference that explains the paradox!
  3. C
    Antilock brakes require expensive Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    If an ABS requires expensive maintenance or it’s less effective than regular brakes, then that suggests there will be a group of people who fail to engage in that maintenance, and thus are driving around with less effective brakes. Less effective brakes definitely explain a higher accident rate!
  4. D
    Most people who drive Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    For regular brakes, you hit the pedal and you brake. If an ABS requires specialized knowledge to use that most people don’t have, then that explains why they’re in more accidents, as they’re not using the brakes effectively!
  5. E
    Antilock brakes were designed Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E matches the stem
    First, this answer doesn’t establish that a braking system designed for urban use wouldn’t also increase safety on highways. Second, this answer doesn’t establish where cars with and without an ABS are generally driven, or that they make highway driving more dangerous. If the ABS makes people safer in urban areas and doesn’t make you less safe on a highway, then the number of accidents should be lower even if it prevents no highway accidents, as it would prevent some urban ones.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A 5%
  2. B 2%
  3. C 21%
  4. D 3%
  5. E Credited 68%

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