Logical reasoning PrepTest 117 · Section 2 · Question 6

Incorrect. While Chai does state that tree" is fine as a lay term, she doesn't believe it is scientifically adequate, suggesting she'd disagree with this answer. However, Dodd doesn't discuss whether "tree" is an ordinary term, and he says that using it as a scientific term is "acceptable" which falls short of "advisable." You can accept someone's decision while advising against it!

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument/Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed/Flawed

Question Type:
Point at Issue

Stimulus Summary:
C: Using tree" to describe two plants with different lineages is scientifically inadequate.

D: The two plants in question have some key similarities, so "tree" is fine as a scientific term.

Answer Anticipation:
There doesn't seem to be much debate over the facts here—both speakers seem to accept that these two types of trees have some similar qualities but different lineages. However, they disagree on what makes a term scientifically adequate.

Chai believes that a term is scientifically inadequate if it is used to describe two things with different lineages. Dodd believes a term is scientifically adequate if it captures some important similarities. This different view as to what can make a term scientifically adequate should show up in the correct answer.

Answer Explanation:
This answer highlights the different views Chai and Dodd have over the specific example in question. Deciduous and coniferous plants have different lineages. Chai thinks this means using "tree" for both is scientifically inadequate; Dodd believes that, since they have other things in common, the term is scientifically adequate. Therefore, this is the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
When two speakers have opposed conclusions in a Point at Issue question, it's important to note how they end up at those different conclusions. While the conclusion itself might be the correct answer, the differing facts or logic that led them to a different point is more frequently correct.

Incorrect. There's no specific discussion of the evolution of the two plants, just that they have utterly different" lineages. So this answer is incorrect, especially since it brings up a similarity in their lineages.

Incorrect. Chai disagrees with this since she believes tree" is fine as a lay term but not as a scientific one. Dodd, however, doesn't discuss "tree" as a lay term, so we don't know his opinion on this.

Incorrect. One of two things is true. Either Chai doesn't discuss structure and Dodd doesn't discuss lineage, in which case this answer is out of scope. Or they both believe that the trees have similar structure and different lineages (as the baseline facts for the debate, which they do both seem to accept), in which case this is a point of agreement. Either way, this answer is wrong.