Logical reasoning PrepTest 117 · Section 2 · Question 23

Question prompt

Columnist: The relief from Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: B

The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.

Question Type

Strengthen with Necessary Premise Questions

Answer choices

  1. A
    Physical labor is essential Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    Incorrect. There's no indication or inherent connection between a fulfilling life and self—sufficiency or well—being, so this answer is out of scope. It's also too strong in saying that physical labor is essential" to anything, especially in an argument whose stimulus describes such labor as "drudgery."
  2. B
    Self–sufficiency contributes to a Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B matches the stem
    Correct. Argument or Facts:
    Argument

    Valid or Flawed:
    Flawed

    Question Type:
    Strengthen with Necessary Premise

    Stimulus Summary:
    Much modern technology causes people to become dependent thus losing self—sufficiency, so it hurts their well—being.

    Answer Anticipation:
    Strengthen with Necessary Premise questions frequently feature a new concept brought up in the conclusion that doesn't feature in the premises. When that happens, the correct answer will connect this concept to something that is established in the premises.

    Here, the conclusion is that much modern technology diminishes the overall well—being of those who use it. While the premises are about much modern technology, it never discusses user well—being. Instead, it establishes that such technology leads to a loss of self—sufficiency.

    As such, the argument is assuming that something that leads to a loss of self—sufficiency diminishes the overall well—being of users. The correct answer, then, should make that connection.

    Answer Explanation:
    This answer connects the ideas that form the core of the argument and represent the jump that the author makes. If self—sufficiency doesn't contribute to a person's well—being, then the argument falls apart—modern technology may decrease self—sufficiency, then, but it wouldn't therefore necessarily decrease well—being.

    Key Takeaway:
    Always be on the lookout for new concepts in the conclusions of Strengthen with Necessary Premise questions. When you see one, the correct answer will likely connect that concept to one that was established in the premises.
  3. C
    People are not free Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    Incorrect. This answer features a shift between discussing self—sufficiency and discussing whether people are free, so it's out of scope.
  4. D
    Anything causing a loss Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    Incorrect. The argument doesn't conclude whether much modern technology is justifiable or not, so this answer is out of scope.
  5. E
    Technology inherently limits the Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    Incorrect. The conclusion is about much modern technology, not all technology, so this answer is too broad in discussing the latter.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A 4%
  2. B Credited 86%
  3. C 3%
  4. D 2%
  5. E 4%

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