Logical reasoning PrepTest 123 · Section 2 · Question 1

Question prompt

Economist:  Every business strives to Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: B

The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.

Argument or Facts

Argument

Valid or Flawed

Flawed

Question Type

Main Point Questions

Stimulus Summary

A generalization is given ("Every business . . . ") that's backed up by a premise ("for . . . "). The author then pivots to another generalization ("But not all efforts . . . ") and backs this up with a fact ("Often . . . ") and the implications of that fact ("which clearly harms . . . ").

Answer Anticipation

The initial sentence is an argument to itself, with a conclusion (the generalization) backed up by a premise ("for . . . "). However, since the author pivots ("But . . . "), that first section doesn't represent the main point of the argument (but expect it to show up as a trap answer).
The pivot here is to a generalization ("not all . . . "), which are often conclusions. This generalization is then backed up by what "[o]ften" happens, explaining why the author believes not all efforts are beneficial. Since the pivot sentence has support, it's the main point of the argument.

Answer choices

  1. A
    If an action taken Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    Incorrect. This answer choice is never directly stated in the argument, so it's not the main point. If anything, it's an assumption of the argument.
  2. B
    Some measures taken by Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B matches the stem
    Correct. This answer is a rephrasing of the main point from the stimulus (not all are beneficial → some aren't beneficial), so it's the correct answer.
  3. C
    Only if the employees Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    Incorrect. This answer choice is never stated or implied by the argument, so it can't serve as the main point.
  4. D
    There is no business Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    Incorrect. This answer choice rephrases the conclusion from the first portion of the argument. However, the author pivots away from this argument ("But . . . "), so it's not the main point.
  5. E
    Decreasing the number of Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    Incorrect. This answer choice is a premise of the argument, showing one example of how certain measures to increase productivity can hurt employee morale and thus supporting the conclusion that certain measures might hurt the business as a whole.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A 19%
  2. B Credited 66%
  3. C 4%
  4. D 3%
  5. E 8%

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Discussion

  • Why not B? 1 reply

    Started by Lizzie-Annerino

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