Logical reasoning PrepTest 123 · Section 3 · Question 20

Question prompt

We should accept the Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: C

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

Flawed Parallel Reasoning Questions

Stimulus Summary

We should demolish the old train station because the historical society opposes it, and the society is dominated by people who don't care about our economic well-being.

Answer Anticipation

The argument bases its recommendation on who opposes the measure—the historical society, which has motives which the author thinks are harmful. The correct answer should similarly base it's conclusion (most likely a similar recommendation) on an opposing viewpoint's support being suspicious.

Answer choices

  1. A
    Our country should attempt Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    Incorrect. This argument is largely circular, repeating the recommendation to safeguard culturally significant art. The premise here doesn't even state that anyone is arguing against this proposal—just that some might disagree with what art is culturally significant. This answer features a different flaw.
  2. B
    Documents of importance to Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    Incorrect. There's no opposing point in this answer choice, so it can't feature the same flaw as the stimulus, which relies on dismissing an opposing point because of their motives.
  3. C
    You should have your Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C matches the stem
    Correct. This answer choice makes a recommendation contradicting that of an opposing point because the opposing point has suspicious motives—in this case, making more money. This flaw is parallel to the stimulus, so this answer is correct.
  4. D
    The committee should endorse Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    Incorrect. In this argument, the viewpoint brought up is not the opposite of the recommendation in the conclusion. The residents don't want the construction done, and the conclusion recommends postponing the construction. This answer would only be parallel if the conclusion said the construction should move forward.
  5. E
    One should not borrow Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    Incorrect. There's no opposing point this argument relies on dismissing to reach the conclusion. If the premises were about payday loan places recommending these loans, then it might parallel the flaw, but instead this argument relies on the results of an action, not the viewpoint that's opposing it.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A 27%
  2. B 13%
  3. C Credited 34%
  4. D 18%
  5. E 8%

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