Logical reasoning PrepTest 116 · Section 2 · Question 11

Incorrect. This argument is flawed since Jeff's jumping skills may be worse than Marissa's, thus allowing for the possibility that the taller Jeff can't touch the ceiling.

Incorrect. The relevant metric for Kate is the reduction in smoking, not the absolute number of cigarettes smoked, so the comparison between her and Lana is off. It could be the case that Kate is a running smoker, and cutting her smoking habit finally allowed her to run five miles, whereas Lana is a smoking non—runner who can barely make it a mile!

Incorrect. To match the stimulus, Paul's blood—alcohol level would need to be even higher than John's, as the direction" of the comparisons in the stimulus is always in the same direction. (Note an answer wouldn't have to match the stimulus in stating something is "lower, but once an answer says higher, each comparison has to be in that direction.")

Incorrect. The conclusion here is too weak. The conclusion of the stimulus is certain—"must also be"—and not weak as here—"might be.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Valid

Question Type:
Parallel Reasoning

Stimulus Summary:
QI's phone system is within budget, and Corelink's system costs less, so it must also be within budget.

Answer Anticipation:
This argument has three elements which are compared between each other—QI's phone system, Corelink's system, and the budget. The first phone system is compared to the budget in a premise (it's lower), and the cost of the second phone system is compared to the cost of the first in the second premise (it's also lower). From that, the second system is compared to the budget (it's lower!).

Let's look for an answer with a similar comparison chain!

Answer Explanation:
One sharp cheddar is below the low fat" threshold, so another cheddar that's even lower in fat must also be below the "low fat" threshold. That's the same unidirectional comparison chain made in the stimulus, so this is the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
While uncommon, comparisons can be chained together, and valid inferences can be drawn by doing so.