Logical reasoning PrepTest 131 · Section 3 · Question 14

Incorrect. The argument doesn't highlight a falsehood, nor does it claim that something is false.

Incorrect. The argument relies on the analogy—it doesn't highlight how an opposing point's analogy is faulty.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Methods of Reasoning

Stimulus Summary:
Some econ stuff about a trade deficit, so addressing it in a certain way is like using a thermometer in some way.

Answer Anticipation:
Yes, our summary is reductive, but not unnecessarily so. We could spend time thinking through what the stimulus says about trade deficits, and whether it makes sense to compare it to the situation with the thermometer, but this is a Methods of Reasoning question. As soon as we saw that the argument says one thing "would be like" another thing, we know that the argument is using an analogy. Here, the analogy is used to make its point that one course of action wouldn't work, so the correct answer should reflect that.

Answer Explanation:
This answer matches our anticipation to a T. The argument concludes that a certain course of action—restricting imports to reduce a trade deficit—would work as well as trying to lower someone's temperature by sticking a thermometer in a glass of cold water—something that wouldn't work. That phrase "would be like" highlights that the author is about to analogize.

Key Takeaway:
Using an analogy is one of, if not the most common methods of reasoning in Methods of Reasoning questions. Always be on the lookout for phrases that indicate the author is about to draw an analogy. And also be careful with how the analogy is being used, as harder Methods of Reasoning questions will feature multiple answers that bring up an analogy (see (B) in this question).

Incorrect. There's no authority cited who is arguing to restrict imports to reduce a trade deficit, or who is arguing any other point, so this answer doesn't reflect the argument.

Incorrect. There's no indication that the consequences—of the action related to the trade deficit, or to the analogy with the patient—would be disastrous.