Logical reasoning PrepTest 114 · Section 2 · Question 10

Incorrect. The argument does establish that some trash that isn't recycled will go to the incinerator ("less trash will be recycled") it doesn't establish that all of it does. It's possible there's another outlet for trash (for example a landfill).

Incorrect. This answer is too strong in stating that the city can stop the waste "entirely." The stimulus discusses recycling as a means to reduce the amount of wasted resources not eliminate wasting resources.

Incorrect. This answer is also too strong. The stimulus discusses only a few ways to dispose of trash without wasting resources, not all means of doing so. It also doesn't discuss non—waste related means of conserving resources.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Valid

Question Type:
Must Be True

Stimulus Summary:
Waste natural resources → Wrong
Burn trash in incinerators → Waste natural resources
Recycling wastes fewer resources
Incinerator built → Recycle less
Conclusion — The incinerator shouldn't be built

Answer Anticipation:
While this stimulus is an argument, we're still dealing with a Must Be True question, so we should treat all statements as true—including the conclusion.

Since we have an argument here, it's a bit hard to anticipate a correct answer. However, there are a lot of relationships established and comparisons made, so we should have a clear understanding of them (as we outlined in the Summary), and then we should head to the answers to find one that lines up with that. As with many argument—based Must Be True questions, there's a good chance that the correct answer will generalize or reflect the argument made.

Answer Explanation:
The stimulus establishes that it is an incredible waste of resources to burn trash in an incinerator. As such, if the city wants to avoid wasting resources, it would need to avoid using an incinerator, as this answer states.

Key Takeaway:
Argument—based Must Be True questions should still be treated as presenting you with statements that you must accept as true. Many of these answers will generalize from the argument being made, but you should be careful about answers that are too strong based on the single argument/situation discussed.

Incorrect. This answer is too strong and an illegal negation of a statement from the stimulus. There, it's established that if the city does burn trash, it'll be wasting resources (the negation of this answer). However, it's still possible there are other ways to waste resources that aren't related to burning trash.