Logical reasoning PrepTest 132 · Section 2 · Question 7

Incorrect. Here's that part-to-whole jump we were expecting as a trap answer. (Also, this argument is arguably valid.)

Incorrect. This argument is valid—if the vote was unanimous, it means each person voted in the same way.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Flawed Parallel Reasoning

Stimulus Summary:
M: Vidmar's collection is among the most valuable, so I can't afford any of the pieces in it!

Answer Anticipation:
As soon as we see that the argument in a question focused on flawed reasoning is about an art collection, we should start to think a whole to part flaw. In that flaw, the argument assumes that something true of the whole is also true of each of the parts. Here, MacNeil assumes that since the collection is extremely valuable, each work in it is extremely expensive. However, there may be a few less valuable pieces, or Vidmar's collection might be so valuable because she collected millions upon millions of less expensive pieces.

Note that there's a related flaw—the part to whole flaw—that runs in the opposite direction. This is a related flaw...but it's not the same flaw, and trap answers in questions with one of these flaws frequently bring up the other. Let's be on the lookout for an argument going from a premise about a part to a conclusion about the whole.

Answer Explanation:
This answer choice takes something that's true of the whole—the paragraph is long—and assumes that it's true of each part—the sentences are long. It's possible the long paragraph was made up of a large number of short sentences.

Key Takeaway:
In arguments that are flawed, whenever you see mention of individuals or groups, you should consider a part-to-whole flaw or its reverse. Be sure to identify which direction the flaw goes in, however, as trap answers will frequently bring that one up!

Incorrect. This answer choice jumps from the parts to the whole—another trap answer!

Incorrect. Yet another answer that jumps from the parts to the whole!