Logical reasoning PrepTest 113 · Section 4 · Question 16

Question prompt

In determining the authenticity 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

Flawed

Question Type

Errors in Reasoning Questions

Stimulus Summary

Goal - Determine a painting’s authenticity
Approach - Assess the emotional impact of the work
Problem with approach - The emotional impact is different for different people
Conclusion - The conclusions of authenticity by Connoisseur’s using this approach shouldn’t be listened to

Answer Anticipation

This argument falls into a common pattern - the goal/approach pattern. Here, it specifically calls out a shortcoming in the approach before concluding that a group using it should have their conclusions disregarded.
Why does the author believe that we shouldn’t listen to the assessment of authenticity made by Connoisseurs? Because their assessment is based on the emotional impact they feel from the painting, and that can vary widely from person to person. Since a painting either is or isn’t authentic, the variance in these opinions is used to disregard their views.
However, even if the emotional impact of a work varies widely from person to person, it might be the case that the impact felt by a specific group of people - Connoisseurs - is similar among that group and can be used to reach a determination about authenticity. For example, say that the general public has a wide range of reactions to a given work from very negative to very positive, but all Connoisseurs have a generally positive emotional reaction to it. In that case, it could be that the agreement on the emotional impact does allow a valid conclusion to be drawn. The argument assumes this isn’t the case, so we should look for an answer pointing that out.
One more note - the example here doesn’t really factor into the logic. While it does provide a specific example of what’s being talked about, the premise that it’s meant to exemplify is itself stated, so we can safely ignore the example since it adds nothing to the logic of the argument.

Answer choices

  1. A
    ignores the fact that Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    The stimulus notes that the emotional impact varies wildly from person to person, so it doesn’t ignore that everyone can assess that emotional impact.
  2. B
    is based on the Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    The argument notes that it’s using Rembrandt as an example of a broader point it’s making, not as the only example that could be raised. As such, this answer is incorrect. If the argument hadn’t noted Rembrandt as an example of the broader point, then this answer could be correct.
  3. C
    neglects the possibility that Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C matches the stem
    This answer highlights the possibility that the argument overlooks (“neglects the possibility”). If emotional impact in the general public varies wildly, then the premise still holds, but at the same time, Connoisseurs could generally agree on that emotional impact. If they agree on the emotional impact, then that could be a sign of authenticity.
  4. D
    presumes, without giving justification, Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    The argument assumes that the emotional impact a painting has on Connoisseurs can’t reliably determine the authenticity of a painting, but that doesn’t mean that the impact is irrelevant to that determination. It’s possible that taking the emotional impact into account along with a few other factors leads to a reliably correct determination. It’s just when that impact “guide[s]” the determination that you run into problems!
  5. E
    presumes, without offering evidence, Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    Similar to (B), the example raised highlights a broader point that is itself discussed/established - it’s not meant to be the best or only example. The author also doesn’t rely on Rembrandt being “better” at conveying emotions than other painters. And the approach to determining authenticity relies on the emotional impact of a work, not the emotions being conveyed in the painting. There are quite a few reasons to eliminate this answer!

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A 6%
  2. B 6%
  3. C Credited 78%
  4. D 9%
  5. E 2%

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