Logical reasoning PrepTest 127 · Section 1 · Question 11

Question prompt

Studies have shown that 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

Valid or Flawed

NA

Question Type

Paradox Questions

Stimulus Summary

Bridges with more high-stress points are more likely to fracture, but the fractures don’t happen at the high-stress points.

Answer Anticipation

This Paradox question is actually quite nice - it highlights the paradox for us! In stating the expected outcome - the fractures happen at the high-stress points - it clears the road for us to know that the paradox is that the fractures happen at other locations on these bridges. As such, we need an answer that explains this phenomenon - either by explaining what prevents them from happening at the high-stress locations (maybe those locations are reinforced) or what makes the other locations more likely to fracture (maybe the lower-stress points are made from weaker material).

Answer choices

  1. A
    In many structures other Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    In talking about other structures, this answer might not be fully applicable. However, even ignoring that, it still doesn't explain why the fractures don’t happen at those locations, so it doesn’t provide a resolution to the paradox.
  2. B
    Fractures do not develop Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B matches the stem
    This answer explains both why the high-stress locations don’t fracture (they’re reinforced) and why the lower-stress locations do (the stress gets transferred there), so it’s the correct answer.
  3. C
    In many structures, the Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    While this answer might make you think the high-stress locations don’t fracture because they don’t exist before the fractures develop, there are two issues there. First, the stimulus notes that these bridges have preexisting high-stress points, so any that develop in response to fracturing would be new. Second, there’s no reason to think these new high-stress points wouldn’t themselves fracture.
  4. D
    Structures with no high–stress Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    You may think this answer provides an explanation because it brings up an example of lower-stress points fracturing, and it does. However, that doesn’t explain why that happens in these other structures, let alone in the bridges that also have high-stress points.
  5. E
    Improper bridge construction, e.g., Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    If anything, this answer connects high-stress points and fracturing, which would make the paradox worse.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A 4%
  2. B Credited 91%
  3. C 3%
  4. D 1%
  5. E 1%

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Discussion

  • tips! 0 replies

    Started by Abigail-Okereke

  • Why not A 1 reply

    Started by HannahNg

  • Please help 2 replies

    Started by Virginia_61092

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