Logical reasoning PrepTest 120 · Section 3 · Question 2

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen

Stimulus Summary:
Bees (pollinators) visit flowers close by woods much more than those far away, so putting crops near woods is good for crops that pollinate.

Answer Anticipation:
The conclusion of this argument is that pollinating crops benefit from being near woods. Why? Because bees—top pollinators—visit flowers near woods more frequently than they visit other flowers.

While pollination is a good thing for these plants, it's unclear if the number of times the bees visit them is related to a benefit. Maybe the first time a bee visits a flower, there's a benefit—but there isn't each subsequent time. Or maybe there's even a downside to being visited too frequently, such as the crop's energy ends up all being spent on making pollen instead of on growing.

Since the argument assumes that more visits are better, the correct answer should provide some support for that.

Answer Explanation:
This answer directly connects the number of visits to a benefit. If the chances of being pollinated increases with more visits, then being in an area that guarantees more visits from bees would be a good thing, strengthening the argument.

Key Takeaway:
Sometimes, the assumption of an argument is hiding in plain sight. Here, it'd be easier to overlook the assumption—that more visits is better. When that happens, start by identifying new concepts in the conclusion and tie them to the ideas from the premises. Even if it sounds like you're not identifying a gap, it can still help you find the correct answer.

Incorrect. First, the stimulus notes that woods are the natural habitat of bees, so presumably more live there than in these other locations. Outside of that, it can be beneficial for crops to be near woods and also good for them to be near other types of areas that also have a lot of bees. Since the argument doesn't say that woodlands are the best place for crops, or the only place where bees pollinate them, this answer is incorrect.

Incorrect. But they are the natural habitat of bees—the most common pollinator—and so crops in the area can still benefit from the presence of this pollinator.

Incorrect. This isn't true of bees, though, so it's out of scope.

Incorrect. The argument concludes that they may be missing out on a benefit by being planted there, but this answer does nothing to support that view.