Logical reasoning PrepTest 135 · Section 1 · Question 11

Question prompt

Inspector: The only fingerprints Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: A

The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.

Argument or Facts

Argument

Valid or Flawed

Flawed

Question Type

Flawed Parallel Reasoning Questions

Stimulus Summary

Phenomenon - Only the owner’s fingerprints were at the scene of the crime
Explanation - The thief wore gloves

Answer Anticipation

...or Mr. Tannisch is guilty. As with most arguments that conclude an explanation for a phenomenon, this argument ignores alternative explanations. And, as with many such arguments, the alternative explanation is hinted at in the stimulus itself. Let’s find an answer that

Answer choices

  1. A
    The campers at Big Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A matches the stem
    Just like the stimulus, this argument reaches a conclusion that purports to explain a phenomenon. Just like the stimulus, it ignores an alternative explanation hinted at in the premise itself. This is our answer.
  2. B
    The second prototype did Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    The conclusion here is too weak to commit the same flaw - in reaching an explanation that “might” apply, this argument is admitting that other explanations are possible.
  3. C
    Each of the swimmers Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    This is a hilariously flawed argument, but it’s not attempting to explain a phenomenon. Rather, it’s assuming that the past predicts the future in a manner that contradicts reality (unless all the swimmers don’t even complete the race).
  4. D
    All of Marjorie's cavities Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    While this answer does conclude an explanation for a phenomenon without ruling out alternatives, it doesn’t ignore an alternative that is raised by the argument itself. Therefore, it’s not parallel.
  5. E
    All of these tomato Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    This answer relies on an unwarranted comparison between a trend in tomato plants and in peas. Different flaw.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A Credited 72%
  2. B 4%
  3. C 3%
  4. D 18%
  5. E 2%

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