Logical reasoning PrepTest 118 · Section 4 · Question 18

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Must Be True

Stimulus Summary:
Decentralization enables divisions to function alone, and benefits are : 1) Decision makers are also involved in implementation, and 2) Central administration can focus on big picture and not day-to-day
Decentralization → More realistic planning
Decentralization strongly encourages innovation

Answer Anticipation:
The argument goes into detail on what decentralization is and enables, as well as some benefits of it. It also makes a very strong statement—that decentralization "always" permits more realistic planning. In Must Be True questions, very strong statements such as this one (all conditionals, in fact) will very frequently factor into the correct answer—especially when they're mixed with weaker statements (such as the following statement that decentralization "strongly encourages" innovation).

With a clear view as to what decentralization is and the benefits of it—and a focus on that strong statement—we should head into the answer choices, and really dig into any that talk about realistic planning.

Answer Explanation:
The stimulus establishes that decentralization "always" permits more realistic planning. Therefore, if an institution isn't decentralized, then it could plan more realistically by decentralizing. And, since they could increase how realistic their planning is, then it must not be maximally realistic. This answer is supported by the stimulus—in fact, it's supported by the single, strong clause that we noted in our anticipation!

Key Takeaway:
Strong statements are more likely to support inferences than weak statements. In Must Be True questions, note any statements that are very strong—especially if there are others that are weaker—as they're likely to factor into the correct answer. You can also then skim the answer choices and start your analysis on the ones that mention any concept from that strong statement, as they're more likely to be correct.

Incorrect. While decentralization strongly encourages innovation, that doesn't mean that centralization doesn't encourage it to some level, as well. Note the difference between this answer and (A), where the realistic planning allowed by decentralization is comparative ("more" realistic planning).

Incorrect. The argument does bring up advantages of decentralization (implying some relative disadvantages of centralization), it never makes a value judgment as to whether they outweigh the cons compared to centralization.

Incorrect. Decentralization permits the central administrations from getting bogged down in the day-to-day, implying that centralized institutions can get bogged down in that. However, there's no indication that centralized institutions are usual—it's possible that they're a rare exception in a world filled with decentralized institutions, and thus most central administrations (since they're in decentralized institutions) don't get bogged down in the day-to-day. (And, additionally, there's a difference between being overwhelmed by details of the day-to-day and being responsible for them—it's possible that those details could overwhelm a centralized administration that is, in theory, not responsible for dealing with them.

Incorrect. This answer is too strong. While decentralization/allowing those involved in implementing policies to set them allows for more realistic planning and strongly encourages innovation, there's no guarantee that they're always making decisions that are realistic (instead of just more realistic) and innovative. For the latter, something can be encouraged and yet fail to meet that standard.