Logical reasoning PrepTest 136 · Section 2 · Question 7

Question prompt

Mike: Tom did not Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: D

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

Question Type

Principle Questions / Strengthen Questions

Answer choices

  1. A
    Using the possessions of Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    Incorrect. The conclusion is about whether the use of the computer would be wrong, not whether it would be theft.
  2. B
    Generally one should tell Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    Incorrect. There's no discussion of telling the truth in the stimulus, so this answer is out of scope.
  3. C
    If people have used Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    Incorrect. Tom used Mary's property without her permission, not Mike's, so this answer gets the details wrong.
  4. D
    It is permissible to Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D matches the stem
    Correct. Argument or Facts:
    Argument

    Valid or Flawed:
    Flawed

    Question Type:
    Strengthen (Principle)

    Stimulus Summary:
    Tom didn't say I can use his computer, but he used Mary's bike without permission, so it's not wrong for me to use it.

    Answer Anticipation:
    Strengthen (Principle) questions ask us to find a principle that justifies a judgment in the conclusion based on the details from the premises.

    Here, the conclusion is that it "would not be wrong" for Mike to use Tom's computer without getting explicit permission. Why? Because Tom used Mary's bike without getting explicit permission. The principle will need to connect this similar transgression to Mike's conclusion—something like it's okay to do to someone what they have done to others.

    Answer Explanation:
    This answer justifies Mike's judgment that it wouldn't be wrong for him to use Tom's computer. Tom used Mary's bike without her permission, and this answer justifies similarly using Tom's property without his permission.

    Key Takeaway:
    For Strengthen (Principle) questions, start with the judgment in the conclusion and work backwards. Figure out what details the author relies on to make her case, and then connect those in the correct answer.
  5. E
    Using another person's property Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    Incorrect. The argument concludes that using Tom's computer wouldn't be wrong, so this answer about what would be wrong won't justify it.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A 2%
  2. B 1%
  3. C 6%
  4. D Credited 91%
  5. E 1%

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