Logical reasoning PrepTest 133 · Section 1 · Question 1

Incorrect. This answer has nothing to do with the aphids, and the lead-in at the end of the argument is coming from a statement saying recommending aphid-attracting nettles isn't contradictory.

Incorrect. The important consideration is whether these aphids would damage the potato plants.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Argument Completion (Strengthen)

Stimulus Summary:
Goal - Increase potato yields in backyard gardens
Approach - Grow stinging nettles
Reasoning - They attract good insects
Concession - They attract aphids, some of which hurt potato plants
But this doesn't contradict the approach because __________

Answer Anticipation:
The argument here recommends an approach to increasing potato yields for backyard gardeners. The author does concede that the approach—growing nettles—will attract aphids, and "some" aphids hurt potato plants. Still, the author believes that this doesn't contradict the recommendation to grow nettles, and we need to fill in the blank for why.

It's important to note that the author here states that the attraction of aphids by nettles doesn't contradict the recommendation, so there can't really be an issue with the aphids being around. It's also important to note that the author states that "many" species of aphids damage potato plants—not all of them.

Putting those statements together, it's likely that the correct answer will state that the aphids attracted by nettles aren't members of the species that hurt potato plants.

Answer Explanation:
This answer brings the argument together—the recommendation doesn't contradict the stimulus because even though aphids will be attracted to the nettles, they aren't aphids that damage potato plants, and so the recommendation stands.

Key Takeaway:
When the Argument Completion question asks you to fill in a premise of the argument, be sure you find one that strengthens that argument! Additionally, you're still looking for an answer that relates to the rest of the arguments as a whole, so don't forget that these questions are tasking you with making sense of all statements.

Incorrect. If anything, this answer would suggest nettles shouldn't be used since their purpose is to attract things to take care of the insect pests, which are apparently a smaller problem than other organisms.

Incorrect. That doesn't make them any less harmful to potato plants.