Logical reasoning PrepTest 115 · Section 2 · Question 8

Incorrect. This answer presents three solutions, two of which are appropriate for a given application. That can definitely be described as a problem/solution argument, but the presence of three solutions rules this one out. The stimulus brought up a single solution that addressed both aspects of a problem.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Parallel Reasoning

Stimulus Summary:
Problem - Sleep-preventing thoughts can come from either half of the brain, keeping someone awake
Solution - Count sheep
Why? - It occupies both halves of the brain, thus preventing sleep-preventing thoughts

Answer Anticipation:
The answer here presents a problem and a solution, as well as an explanation of how the solution works. In this case, the problem has two equal causes (thoughts in the left brain; thoughts in the right brain), and the solution addresses both of them at the same time. We should similarly look for an answer that brings up a problem that has two aspects and a single solution that addresses both of them.

Answer Explanation:
This answer brings up a problem—cats damaging furniture—with two aspects—claw damage and teeth damage. It then presents a single solution—an object such as a toy mouse—that addresses both aspects of the problem. This argument is therefore parallel to the stimulus, so this is the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
For Parallel Reasoning questions, sometimes noticing a common pattern is enough to find the correct answer. However, when one of the common patterns—e.g., problem/solution here—shows up, frequently there will be minor variations to the norm, and those will need to be matched in the correct answer. For example, here, the problem had two "aspects" to it, each of which individually could lead to that problem; and a solution that simultaneously addressed both.

Incorrect. This answer presents two solutions that are equally viable, so it doesn't match up with the stimulus.

Incorrect. This answer presents a single solution, but it doesn't bring up two aspects of a problem that each can individually lead to that problem. In the stimulus, thoughts in either the right or left brain, by themselves, could prevent sleep. Here, the only time things go boom is when the two chemicals are mixed together.

Incorrect. This answer presents a single problem and two solutions, only one of which is viable, so it's not parallel.