Logical reasoning PrepTest 116 · Section 2 · Question 8

Incorrect. If the motive behind robbery is often risk—taking, then increasing the risk (by making the downside cost" more) would only serve to goad that group on, potentially increasing robbery.

Incorrect. This answer strengthens the argument by showing an analogous situation where the predicting outcome from this situation played out.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument*

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed*

Question Type:
Bizarro Strengthen

Stimulus Summary:
Longer prison terms won't decrease robbery rates.

Answer Anticipation:
First off, note that this stimulus—unlike most Strengthen questions—doesn't feature an argument. It features a conclusion devoid of premises. The incorrect answers, therefore, will provide potential premises supporting this conclusion, and the wrong answer will weaken it or neither strengthen nor weaken it.

What would strengthen this argument? Any explanation for why longer prison terms wouldn't get people to stop committing the crime. There are going to be at least 4 of them, so we shouldn't spend too much time brainstorming, instead heading into the answers with that framing while eliminating anything that works within it.

Answer Explanation:
This answer could potentially have some effect on the argument if we knew something about the recent trend in robberies. For example, if the robbery rate stayed the same as prison terms shortened, then maybe prison term isn't related to robbery rates and we would have an answer that strengthened the argument. However, in not tying it to rates, this answer doesn't provide enough information to have an impact on the argument, and it's thus correct.

Key Takeaway:
For most Bizarro Strengthen questions, it's more important to have a framework for what the incorrect answers will do than specific anticipations. After all, there are going to be at least 4 answers that strengthen the argument, so trying to come up with all of them ahead of time is probably not the best use of time!

Incorrect. If the criminals don't think they'll get caught, then they don't think they'll serve any prison term, and so the length of that term won't matter to them. That strengthens the argument that changing the term won't discourage robbery.

Incorrect. If those committing the crime don't know what the punishment is, then the punishment won't influence their behavior, strengthening the argument.