Logical reasoning PrepTest 125 · Section 4 · Question 6

Incorrect. The number of houses of each type doesn't affect the general trend of which better withstands earthquakes, or the specific situation of these two houses, so this answer doesn't provide resolution here. Additionally, the paradox surrounds the specific set of houses, so something that's generally true of the two house types likely won't provide a resolution.

Incorrect. This answer is equally wrong to (A) for the same reasons. The number of houses of each type doesn't affect the general trend of which better withstands earthquakes, or the specific situation of these two houses, so this answer doesn't provide resolution here. Additionally, the paradox surrounds the specific set of houses, so something that's generally true of the two house types likely won't provide a resolution.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Facts

Question Type:
Paradox

Stimulus Summary:
Wood-frame houses are more flexible than masonry ones so withstand earthquakes better. However, a recent quake took out a wood-frame house while leaving a masonry neighbor unscathed.

Answer Anticipation:
As with all Paradox questions, we should start by identifying the unexpected outcome here. The stimulus identifies a general trend—wood-frame houses are better able to withstand earthquakes than masonry ones—but then highlights an exception to that rule. Exceptions are inherently paradoxical—why doesn't this situation follow the general trend?

There must be something different about this specific instance that explains why it doesn't follow the broader trend, so we should find an answer that highlights either why this wood-frame house was more prone to earthquake damage, or why the neighboring masonry house was better protected from that damage.

Answer Explanation:
This answer highlights a reason to believe that the wood-frame house here was weaker than the average wood-frame house, explaining why it was susceptible to earthquake damage (at least, more so than the neighboring masonry house) when others probably wouldn't have been. This answer highlights a difference that applies to the specific, paradoxical situation (the exception), thus serving to resolve the paradox.

Key Takeaway:
In a lot of Paradox questions, the paradox happens because something doesn't follow an expected pattern. When something doesn't follow a trend/pattern, it's different, and thus the paradox will likely be resolved by bringing up another relevant difference that can serve as an explanation for why this instance is different than most others.

Incorrect. First, there's no indication that this isn't true generally of wood-frame and masonry houses. Second, there's no indication that this would have any impact on ability to withstand earthquakes. Maybe that extra money went to fancy fixtures in the bathroom and not better earthquake protection.

Incorrect. This is a blanket statement applying to all houses, so it can't resolve a paradox about a specific set of houses that serves as an exception to a general rule.