Logical reasoning PrepTest 134 · Section 2 · Question 6

Incorrect. The argument/conclusion isn't comparative, and it treats consistency as guaranteeing accuracy, so the relative importance of these two considerations is out of scope.

Incorrect. The point that Beck is rebutting is about the program's estimates, and the conclusion is about the accuracy of those estimates, so other tasks are out of scope.

Incorrect. This answer highlights a jump between consistency and accuracy, but it frames it incorrectly. The argument assumes that consistent results are accurate results. This answer says the argument assumes ("takes for granted") that you can get consistent but inaccurate results. That's the opposite of what the argument assumes, so this answer is wrong.

Incorrect. The conclusion doesn't judge the program's value, it just states that it's accurate. As such, this answer is out of scope in bringing up that value.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Errors in Reasoning

Stimulus Summary:
A computer program gives consistent figures, so it gives accurate figures.

Answer Anticipation:
If you want to really summarize this argument, you could do so with three words:
Consistent, therefore accurate. But that's a jump—heck, an analog clock that's broken will give you a consistent time, but that's not a sign that it's accurate.

This argument equivocates between the two terms, so we should find an answer pointing that out.

Answer Explanation:
Like (C), this answer addresses the jump between consistency and accuracy, and it also brings up the possibility of consistent but inaccurate results. However, unlike (C), this answer is phrased to treat consistent but inaccurate results as something the argument overlooks, not assumes, making this correct whereas the other is incorrect. Beck doesn't consider that consistent results could be inaccurate, as this answer states.

Key Takeaway:
Compare answers (C) and (E). They both bring up the possibility of consistent yet inaccurate results. The only meaningful difference between them is the introductory clause—"takes for granted" versus "fails to consider." These framing clauses for Errors in Reasoning answer choices matter, so make sure to take them into consideration when analyzing the answer choices.