Logical reasoning PrepTest 127 · Section 1 · Question 13

Question prompt

Consumer advocate: A recent Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: A

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

Strengthen with Necessary Premise Questions

Stimulus Summary

Front-loading washing machines are more convenient for wheelchair users, so front-loading washing machines are superior for some consumers.

Answer Anticipation

Let’s start by rephrasing the conclusion - it talks about “some consumers,” so we should look to the premises if we can get more specific than that. And the consumers that the conclusion is clearly referring to - as they’re the only ones mentioned - are wheelchair users.
So the conclusion is that front-loading washing machines are better for wheelchair users. Why? Because the controls are in a more convenient location.
Whenever a generic comparison is made in the conclusion - here, that one type of washing machine is “superior” generally, not in any specific way - the criteria by which that determination will be made needs to be established. What makes a washing machine superior for this group?
Sure, the premises establish that this type of washing machine has more convenient controls, but does that make for a superior machine? It’s possible that they provide less washing power, and that’s more important to wheelchair users than the convenience of the controls.
In jumping between these machines being more convenient to them being superior, the argument is assuming that convenience is a more important consideration than other differences between the machines (which we know they have, since the top-loaders were determined to be superior by a study). Let’s find an answer stating that.

Answer choices

  1. A
    For some consumers the Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A matches the stem
    This answer establishes that convenience is more important than other factors for some consumers, which must be true for the convenience of front-loaders to wheelchair users to make them superior to top-loaders. If convenience doesn’t outweigh other factors for any consumer, then the argument falls apart. This is therefore the correct answer.
  2. B
    Washing machines of a Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    The argument compares front- and top-loading washing machines, so the argument itself refutes this answer.
  3. C
    Convenience is the only Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    First, this answer choice doesn’t limit itself to discussing how convenience factors in for some users, but for all users, so it’s too broad since the conclusion is about just some. Second, convenience doesn’t have to be the “only” important factor for the argument to work - it just has to be the factor that determines superiority.
  4. D
    Retrieving clothes from a Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    This answer doesn’t speak to the superiority of front-loaders, so it’s not necessary to reach that conclusion.
  5. E
    Retrieving clothes from front–loaders Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    The conclusion is about the superiority of front-loaders for “some” users (i.e., wheelchair users), so the level of convenience or inconvenience for other users is out of scope.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A Credited 73%
  2. B 1%
  3. C 20%
  4. D 3%
  5. E 2%

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Discussion

  • Why not C? 1 reply

    Started by Eugene

  • Wisdom in B? 1 reply

    Started by Chloe

  • Explanation 9 replies

    Started by Advaith

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