Logical reasoning PrepTest 131 · Section 1 · Question 5

Incorrect. The initial conditional here doesn't have an OR statement in the necessary condition, so we can rule this answer out.

Incorrect. The initial conditional here doesn't have an OR statement in the necessary condition, so we can rule this answer out.

Incorrect. This answer matches the initial OR conditional, though the "entirely" isn't an exact match, as presumably a hedge screen could mix two trees. Even if you were uncertain if that allowed you to eliminate this answer, the rest of the argument isn't parallel—instead of ruling one possibility out and concluding the other, it creates a condition where the presence of one guarantees the absence of the other. That's essentially the opposite of the stimulus.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Valid

Question Type:
Parallel Reasoning

Stimulus Summary:
Hedge screen → Hemlock OR Leyland cypress
not Leyland cypress
Therefore - Hedge screen → Hemlock

Answer Anticipation:
This argument establishes that if something is true, one of two other things must be true. It then rules one of the two options out, and "simplifies" the conditional in the conclusion to establish that, if the initial state comes to pass, then the remaining option must be present:
A → B OR C
not C
Therefore - A → B

Answer Explanation:
Path → Stone OR Concrete
not Concrete
Therefore - Path → Stone
Same pattern as the stimulus, so this is the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
Parallel Reasoning questions with conditional logic can result in quick correct answers . . . if you've done your homework on conditional logic! Make sure that you're solid in this area as it will be tested, and it can be used to increase speed and accuracy.

Incorrect. This answer doesn't establish a true conditional ("would be suitable" does not a conditional make), and it rules out both possibilities, so it's not parallel to the stimulus.