Logical reasoning PrepTest 111 · Section 4 · Question 19

Incorrect. We already know that these two are politically progressive feminists, so this answer doesn't add anything to the argument.

Incorrect. The argument is about those who write rhymed and metered poems, so this answer about those who write unrhymed/unmetered poems is out of scope.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen with Sufficient Premise

Stimulus Summary:
Several critics: Contemporary poets writing formal poetry are acting in a politically conservative manner.

Author: Consider MP and MH. They write formal poetry but are politically progressive. The critics are wrong.

Answer Anticipation:
The Author of this argument attempts to rebut Critics using a common method of rebuttal—the counterexample. In doing so, she brings up two poets.

When analyzing a counterexample, it can be helpful to think about what would serve as an effective counterexample to the original view. Since that view is that formal poetry is a politically conservative act, we'd need to find examples of people writing formal poetry in a politically progressive manner.

Is that what the examples of MP and MH do? Nope, they fall short of that. Those examples are of politically progressive individuals who are writing formal poetry, but there's no indication that their politics are reflected in their art—it could be that they write apolitical formal poetry despite their progressive politics. Since the argument by the critics is that the writing of the formal poetry is the conservative act, the politics of these two poets' writings are what is relevant, not their own politics.

Since this is a Strengthen with Sufficient Premise question, we should look for an answer stating that politically progressive feminists write only politically progressive poems, or that someone who is politically progressive can't write in a politically conservative manner.

Answer Explanation:
MH and MP are politically progressive. This answer guarantees that they can't perform politically conservative acts. Since writing formal poetry is an act, this answer thus guarantees that them writing these formal poems isn't a politically conservative act, and thus they do serve as counterexamples to the view of the Critics, justifying the conclusion that they're wrong. This answer is therefore correct.

Key Takeaway:
When analyzing an argument that relies on counterexamples, start by thinking what would serve as a successful counterexample to the opposing point. Then, compare that to what the author presents to see how it falls short.

Incorrect. The argument doesn't establish that MP and MH's poetry isn't politically conservative, so this answer doesn't necessarily apply to them.

Incorrect. This answer is about political consequences, not whether it is a politically conservative act. Also, the rebuttal actually doesn't address content at all—it just relies on form not being the only relevant factor in determining politics.