Logical reasoning PrepTest 129 · Section 1 · Question 7

Incorrect. There's no discussion of the market share of these two products—either currently or in the future—so this answer is out of scope.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen with Sufficient Premise

Stimulus Summary:
Clinical tests - An herbal remedy is as effective as a successful prescription drug in treating joint pain
Conclusion - Joint pain can be treated without chemicals

Answer Anticipation:
Strengthen with Sufficient Premise questions frequently bring up new concepts in the conclusion, connected to a concept that does show up in the premises. The correct answer connects that new concept to whatever the shared term is connected to in the premises.

Here, the conclusion has a shared term—successfully treating joint pain—and a new concept—chemical agents. We need to connect that new concept to whatever is noted as successfully treating joint pain in the premises.

This is where we run into a small hiccup, as there are two things established as doing so—an herbal remedy, and a prescription drug. However, since the argument is being made about the herbal remedy's effectiveness, that's clearly what the argument is referring to.

So to validate this conclusion, we need to connect that herbal remedy to the new concept in the conclusion. The correct answer should establish that the herbal remedy doesn't have a chemical agent.

Answer Explanation:
This answer establishes that the herbal remedy, which successfully treats joint pain, doesn't have a chemical agent (at least not one that would help joint pain). Since there's something that treats joint pain and doesn't have a chemical agent, the conclusion that such a treatment is possible is validated.

Key Takeaway:
In Strengthen with Sufficient Premise questions, always look out for new concepts in the conclusion. When one shows up, the correct answer will need to connect it to the premises in some way.

Incorrect. This answer doesn't discuss chemical agents at all, so it can't justify the conclusion. Without more information, it's not clear this answer has any impact on the argument.

Incorrect. This answer doesn't discuss chemical agents at all, so it can't justify the conclusion. Similar to (C), it's not clear what impact this would have on the argument.

Incorrect. The conclusion is about the herbal remedy, not the prescription drug, so this answer doesn't connect to the conclusion.