Logical reasoning PrepTest 118 · Section 4 · Question 21

Incorrect. This answer doesn't raise a topic that could be inappropriate to discuss, even if it does discuss being civil.

Incorrect. There's no indication that an inappropriate topic is being raised, and intensive questioning could still be done in a civil manner.

Incorrect. Etiquette "does not necessarily even oppose the expression of offensive ideas," so restricting speech is out of scope.

Incorrect. A controversial policy issue can certainly be a topic that's inappropriate to discuss in certain settings, and a press conference could be a place where it's appropriate to discuss. However, asking potentially embarrassing questions isn't the same as not being civil, so this answer just misses the mark.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Facts

Question Type:
Principle (Must Be True)

Stimulus Summary:
Etiquette says there are times when certain topics are inappropriate. When they're appropriate to discuss, it should be done civilly.

Answer Anticipation:
Almost all principles will be stated in a conditional manner, but that's not really the case here. Sure, you could force these into conditional rules, but that's not nearly as helpful as just understanding the two "prongs" of etiquette. First, certain topics are inappropriate to discuss sometimes. Second, when they are appropriate to discuss, they should be discussed in a civil manner. The correct answer, therefore, should raise one of these topics, and then either discuss a situation where it's inappropriate to discuss, or a situation where it's appropriate to discuss but in a civil manner.

Answer Explanation:
A divisive moral issue would certainly fall into the category of topics that could be inappropriate to discuss in certain settings. Since this panel discussion is about the topic, it is appropriate to discuss if civil—and this answer, in stating the moderator should stop name-calling, is ensuring that. This answer follows the principles of etiquette as laid out in the stimulus, so it's the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
While principles are generally given as conditional rules, don't feel the need to make every principle into a conditional. If you can understand what it's saying without doing so, then roll with your understanding instead of forcing the use of a tool that may not be helpful—especially if conditional language is absent from the stimulus.