Logical reasoning PrepTest 129 · Section 3 · Question 19

Incorrect. This answer goes wrong when it states, "inevitably lead to the establishment of . . . " The stimulus only raises the possibility that people will end up preferring totalitarianism ("may prefer"), not the inevitability of establishing it.

Incorrect. While this answer choice reflects (to an extent) a portion of the argument, it doesn't connect to the conclusion about what type of regimes someone should support, so it doesn't justify the reasoning.

Incorrect. The conclusion is about supporting political systems that limit freedom in some way, so this answer is at odds with that.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Principle (Strengthen)

Stimulus Summary:
When given extreme freedom, people often make bad decisions and don't thrive. This can lead them to supporting totalitarianism. So people shouldn't support extremely free governments.

Answer Anticipation:
Principle (Strengthen) questions that feature "should"/"shouldn't" conclusions are our friends, because the correct answer will need to justify that opinion using similar language. Here, the conclusion is that one "shouldn't" support certain political systems, so the correct answer should mirror that.

Why does the Essayist believe political systems that allow for extreme freedom shouldn't be supported? Because they "may prefer to establish totalitarian political regimes" after living in one of these free regimes. Since Principle (Strengthen) questions have answers that connect the rationale to the judgment in the conclusion, the correct answer should say something amounting to:

You shouldn't support a political system that can lead to people preferring totalitarianism.

Answer Explanation:
Unlike (A), this answer choice matches the strength of the stimulus. The conclusion is that people shouldn't support certain political systems, and this answer provides a principle that would justify that conclusion. The reasoning in the stimulus is based on political systems allowing extreme freedom possibly leading to a preference for totalitarianism, and this answer choice reflects that. This answer reflects the reasoning, justifies the conclusion, and matches the strength of the stimulus, so it's the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
"Should"/"Shouldn't" conclusions in Principle (Strengthen) questions need an answer that justifies that conclusion, so it should mirror the language. Attach the author's rationale to that part of the conclusion (what the author believes should or should not be done) and you've got your anticipation.

Incorrect. While the Essayist does note that expecting people to thrive when they can make bad decisions can be unrealistic, she doesn't state that the political systems that allow people to make their own (bad) decisions expect otherwise. Since the free political systems don't necessarily have unrealistic expectations, this answer choice doesn't match the stimulus.