Logical reasoning PrepTest 112 · Section 1 · Question 6

Question prompt

It is widely believed Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: D

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

Argument or Facts

Argument

Valid or Flawed

Valid

Question Type

Main Point Questions

Stimulus Summary

Common belief - Chocolate causes acne.
Evidence - People who have bad acne report developing acne after eating chocolate
Rebuttal - Stress causes both acne and the eating of chocolate, so the common wisdom is wrong (eating chocolate is an effect of a common cause, not a cause of acne).

Answer Anticipation

The argument starts with something that is “widely believed,” and when that happens, it’s almost certain that the author is going to pivot away from that view. Additionally, the opinion of that view is likely to be the main point.
That pattern follows here, where the author pivots (“However”) to an opinion of that view - it “likely” is mistaken, believing chocolate to be a cause when it’s really an effect. The argument then backs that up with studies, and studies will almost always be premises supporting a conclusion.
As such, let’s find an answer stating that the common view that chocolate causes acne is likely wrong since eating chocolate (and acne) are likely both effects of stress.

Answer choices

  1. A
    People are mistaken who Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    This is a tempting answer, but the author states that the causal relationship is wrong, not the correlation. In fact, in noting that both eating chocolate and acne are effects of a common cause, the author suggests that you should see these two things correlated.
  2. B
    The more chocolate a Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    This answer conflates the two effects and reverses the causality while also adding in a proportional relationship. The hormonal changes from stress cause acne; and stress also leads to people eating chocolate. The hormonal changes aren’t related to eating chocolate, and the amount of chocolate eaten shouldn't have any effect on the likelihood of experiencing the hormonal changes.
  3. C
    Eating large amounts of Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    The argument concludes that eating chocolate is likely to be an effect of stress, so there’s no statement that eating chocolate can cause stress.
  4. D
    It is less likely Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D matches the stem
    This answer reflects the alternative causality that the author concludes, in opposition to the common belief, so it’s the correct answer.
  5. E
    The more stress a Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    First, the argument establishes only that those who are fond of chocolate eat it when under stress. Second, there’s no indication that there’s a proportional relationship between these two things.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A 25%
  2. B 3%
  3. C 1%
  4. D Credited 65%
  5. E 5%

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