Logical reasoning PrepTest 111 · Section 4 · Question 26

Incorrect. This answer is too extreme—there's no indication that it's "impossible" to detect which additions were made after the original work.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument/Facts

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed/NA

Question Type:
Must be True

Stimulus Summary:
Z: It was common for later painters to add to a fresco, so all but the original paint must be removed from the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo's original intent.

S: It was very common for painters to add details to their own work.

Answer Anticipation:
There's not much to Stephen's response, so we don't have a lot to look at to find something that must be true. The one notable feature—other than the content itself—is that Stephen notes the practice he brings up was extremely common, so we can support an answer about the frequency of this happening that's got some strength to it! Other than that, let's stay flexible and find an answer that aligns with the fact raised.

Answer Explanation:
Stephen brings up the possibility that Michelangelo added details after he finished the initial fresco work. It can seem as if this possibility isn't strong enough to support this answer stating that stripping all those additions away would be "unlikely" to restore the paintings to what Michelangelo intended. However, Stephen states that it was "extremely common" for painters to add details, meaning that it's very likely Michelangelo did this on the Sistine Chapel, and so his statements are strong enough to support this answer.

Key Takeaway:
Make sure that the strength of the answer you pick matches (or is weaker than) the statements that you believe support it in the stimulus. And if you like an answer except for the strength, head back and actively identify the strength of the premises that would support that answer to see if it's supported.

Incorrect. There's no indication that these additions weren't an integral part of the design. In fact, in suggesting that these additions serve as a rebuttal to Zachary's recommendation on how to get to Michelangelo's "intended" appearance, there's evidence that these additions were integral to the design. After all, removing them wouldn't allow us to get to the original intent.

Incorrect. The debate is over getting the work to Michelangelo's original intent. Even if someone who added to the work was important, they still would have altered that intent.

Incorrect. The argument never discusses Michelangelo's feelings on his own work. Even if he made later additions, that doesn't mean he wasn't then satisfied with the work after those finishing touches were made!