Logical reasoning PrepTest 125 · Section 4 · Question 24

Incorrect. No matter the spread over the 5 years, if buildings are being demolished over a time period, then that could indicate a declining economy.

Incorrect. Even if Petropolis's number of large buildings have ebbed and flowed over the years, suggesting various levels of economic health, the city could currently be in a state of economic decline. The stimulus even leaves open the possibility that there were significantly more than 100 buildings 5 years ago!

Incorrect. The criteria for determining economic health doesn't consider why the buildings have been demolished, just that they have. Therefore, those reasons are out of scope.

Incorrect. The indicator for overall health is large buildings, not small buildings or empty lots. Therefore, it doesn't matter if those lots are left empty or if small buildings are built in their place—the only thing that matters is that large buildings don't replace them. Since this answer isn't required to establish that (again, the lots could be left empty), it's incorrect.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen with Necessary Premise

Stimulus Summary:
A lot of large buildings in Petropolis have been demolished, and the number of large buildings indicates economic health, so Petropolis has declining economic health.

Answer Anticipation:
The metric that's relevant to the determination in the conclusion is the number of large buildings in an area. While the premises do establish that a significant number of large buildings in Petropolis have been demolished, it doesn't establish that the total number has gone down. It's possible that 60 were demolished, but 200 were built. Let's find an answer that the balance of demolition vs. building is in favor of the demolitions, thus backing up the argument.

Answer Explanation:
This answer directly addresses the criteria established for determining overall economic health. If significantly more than 60 large buildings were built but only 60 demolished, then there are more large buildings in Petropolis now compared to 5 years ago, indicating an improving economic health.

Key Takeaway:
Whenever a specific metric is set up as the criteria for a conclusion, make sure that the metric is directly or implicitly established. If it's not, the correct answer will probably add in information addressing that shortcoming.