Logical reasoning PrepTest 123 · Section 2 · Question 18

Question prompt

Modern science is built 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

Facts

Question Type

Must Be True Questions

Stimulus Summary

Modern science is based on proving hypotheses wrong. Overthrowing conventional wisdom gets a scientist the most recognition. It's surprising that, with hundreds of scientists, few find evidence against the widely accepted global warming predictions.

Answer Anticipation

The key here is recognizing which statements are likely to lead to answers, and which are background. In general, stronger statements are more likely to support answers in Must be True questions, so our summary focuses on those. However, stay flexible when looking at answers—if it's in scope, it's worth analyzing.

Answer choices

  1. A
    Most scientists who are Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    Incorrect. The stimulus doesn't discuss standards of debate, just standard of science. Additionally, there isn't much information about those who are skeptical of global warming predictions, so an answer that talks about "most" of them is too strong.
  2. B
    Most researchers in climatology Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B matches the stem
    Correct. The strongest statement in the stimulus is that overthrowing conventional wisdom brings the most recognition. The only conventional wisdom that's noted is the "widely accepted" global warming predictions. Since recognition is a substantial motive (even if someone isn't in it for the recognition, it's still a motivation), this answer choice is supported.
  3. C
    There is evidence that Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    Incorrect. While the predictions of global warming are widely accepted and few scientists find evidence that global warming is unlikely, that's a far cry from conclusive evidence that the hypothesis is true. This answer choice is stronger than what can be supported by the stimulus.
  4. D
    Scientists who are skeptical Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    Incorrect. While very few scientists who study climate have found evidence that global warming is unlikely, that leaves room for a few to have found evidence that they have used to support an alternative. Since that's possible, this answer choice is unsupported.
  5. E
    Research in global warming Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    Incorrect. While recognition can serve as a motive, we don't know that it serves as the primary motive in the study of global warming. It could be a secondary consideration to something like saving the world.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A 14%
  2. B Credited 36%
  3. C 16%
  4. D 28%
  5. E 6%

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