Logical reasoning PrepTest 120 · Section 4 · Question 8

Incorrect. This answer brings up a downside to repertory theater—the large capital outlay at the beginning of each season. This suggests that it might not be best for more theaters to switch to it.

Incorrect. This answer brings up another downside to repertory theater—it requires more of the patrons, thus potentially creating issues for those who can't follow the schedule.

Incorrect. One more requirement for repertory theater that may preclude a switch to it for more theaters, thus weakening the argument.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen

Stimulus Summary:
Repertory theater is liked by:
(1) Actors - less boredom
(2) Stagehands - more money
(3) Theater managers - if plays meet audience demands, more tickets are sold So everyone likes repertory theater, and more theaters should change to it.

Answer Anticipation:
This argument brings up three groups that like repertory theater to conclude that "[e]veryone" likes it, so the first gap in this argument is that these three groups (actors, stagehands, theater managers) represent all individuals.

However, there's also a more specific shortcoming even in that list—the theater managers' like of repertory theater is based on a conditional. If plays reflect audience demand, then they'll sell more tickets. However, it's not established that repertory theater allows for this to happen, so an answer establishing it as a benefit of this theater type will serve to strengthen this argument.

That's a specific potential answer, but since the conclusion is that more theaters "should" change to repertory, really any positive for them would strengthen it, and any downside would weaken it. Let's head into the answer choices with that as our primary lens.

Answer Explanation:
This is a benefit of repertory theater, and one that ties into the conditional benefit noted as the reason for why theater managers like it, so this strengthens the argument for the switch.

Key Takeaway:
Always pay attention to conditional premises or conclusions! They can put a qualifier on a statement that can be used to anticipate a specific answer instead of needing to go into the answer choices with a less specific anticipation. More specific anticipations that are likely to be correct can definitely cut down on time needed to answer a question.

Incorrect. This answer raises yet another downside of repertory theater, thus weakening the argument.