Logical reasoning PrepTest 120 · Section 1 · Question 14

Incorrect. The argument concludes that "many" regional dialects will develop, not that each local population will develop its own dialect, so this answer is stronger than needed.

Incorrect. Everyone can engage in trade while still having different communicative needs, so this answer isn't required for dialects to develop.

Incorrect. The argument states that the development of a world economy can force the development of a universal language, but that's different from saying that a unified economy is required for that to happen. Additionally, this answer doesn't tie into the prediction in the conclusion.

Incorrect. The argument doesn't require some dialects to be eliminated for others to develop, so this answer is out of scope.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen with Necessary Premise

Stimulus Summary:
Dialects reflect local needs. So even when a worldwide economy results in a universal language, it will have dialects.

Answer Anticipation:
The conclusion makes a prediction about what will happen once a worldwide economy drives the adoption of a universal language—that language will itself develop dialects.

What do we know about dialects? We know that they develop in response to local needs. So if they're going to develop in a future time when a world economy results in a universal language, then it must be the case that there are still various regions with different local needs. If the world economy means that there are no longer local communicative needs, then there would be no reason to expect dialects to develop.

Let's find an answer stating that.

Answer Explanation:
This answer highlights that even after developing a universal language, there will still be different local communicative needs—and those needs are noted as being the driving force behind the development of dialects. If there won't be such variations, then there's no reason to believe that dialects will develop. This answer is therefore correct.

Key Takeaway:
Finding ideas that show up in both the premises and conclusion can be helpful in seeing how the logic of the argument works. These shared terms are usually connected to different ideas that can lead you to the gap in the logic. Here, noting that the prediction was about dialects and the premise about dialects brought up different communicative needs as a driving force behind them was key to finding the correct answer.