Logical reasoning PrepTest 129 · Section 2 · Question 1

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Principle (Strengthen)

Stimulus Summary:
Antibiotics don't work on colds and have dangerous side effects, so doctors shouldn't prescribe them for colds.

Answer Anticipation:
Principle (Strengthen) questions frequently have judgments as conclusions—such as here, where the conclusion is about what a group "should never" do. When that's the case, the correct answer will connect the details from the described scenario to that judgment, justifying it—often as a conditional ("If [details from situation], then [judgment].")

Here, there are two relevant details—antibiotics don't treat colds, and antibiotics have dangerous side effects. Either of these individually, or them combined, could for the basis for the principle.

Answer Explanation:
This answer choice combines the two pieces of information about antibiotics—they don't effectively treat colds; they have dangerous side effects—and establishes that they're sufficient to justify the conclusion that doctors shouldn't prescribe them for the purpose of treating colds. Therefore, this is the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
When working through a Principle (Strengthen) question that has a judgment drawn in the conclusion, only consider answer choices that justify that conclusion. Here, the conclusion was that doctors "should never" prescribe something; the correct answer needs to mirror that judgment.

Incorrect. This answer choice can justify the conclusion of the argument that doctors should never prescribe antibiotics, but it doesn't base it on the details from the described scenario since antibiotics can't positively impact patients with colds.

Incorrect. The conclusion in the argument is that doctors should never prescribe antibiotics to those with colds, whereas this answer can only justify attempting to prescribe a medication.

Incorrect. The stimulus notes that antibiotics have no effects on colds—there's no uncertainty about it.

Incorrect. The conclusion is that doctors should never prescribe antibiotics to those suffering from a cold, whereas this answer justifies something about how to reach that decision.