Logical reasoning PrepTest 112 · Section 3 · Question 24

Question prompt

A newspaper article on Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: C

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

Methods of Reasoning Questions

Stimulus Summary

Newspaper article: There are fewer and smaller strikes, so union strength is declining
Author: In a modern society, a union can focus its strength on working with others to achieve its goals, not on strikes. Calling a strike shows that they’re weak.

Answer Anticipation

When describing an argument that rebuts an opposing point, we should focus on where the areas of agreement and disagreement are.
The opposing point uses the decreasing number and size of strikes to show that unions are weaker in Britain. In other words, the article assumes that the number and size of strikes is positively correlated with union strength - the more of one, the more of the other.
The author of the argument, however, says the opposite is true. She argues that strikes are a sign of a weak union, and that the more strikes there are, the weaker the union is. So a lack of large strikes would actually indicate a strong union.
The author, then, argues that the opposing view’s evidence actually supports the opposite conclusion, and so we should look for an answer stating that.

Answer choices

  1. A
    questioning the accuracy of Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    If we consider the statement that the number and size of strikes statistical evidence, the author doesn’t call that into question, instead showing how it actually would lead to the opposite conclusion.
  2. B
    detailing historical changes that Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    The author does lead off by bringing up what must be true of a “modern industrial society,” but that doesn’t speak to historical changes since there’s no discussion of what was true in pre-modern times. Also, there’s no implication that the newspaper’s argument used to be true but isn’t anymore (“outdated”).
  3. C
    reinterpreting evidence that the Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C matches the stem
    The author reinterprets what a decline in strikes (both the number and size of) means for union strength. The article argues that it’s a sign of declining strength. The author argues it’s a sign of increased strength. That’s a reinterpretation that leads to the opposite conclusion, so this is the correct answer.
  4. D
    arguing that the newspaper Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    There’s no discussion of motive in the stimulus.
  5. E
    pointing to common interests Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    The last line at most hints at agreement between unions and management, though it doesn’t state that the others in the labor market include management. Additionally, there’s no indication that the article ignored any shared interests.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A 3%
  2. B 8%
  3. C Credited 81%
  4. D 5%
  5. E 4%

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