Logical reasoning PrepTest 137 · Section 4 · Question 7

Incorrect. First, it's unclear if MacArthur knew that her book would hurt people's health—she may have not but should have known. Second, the stimulus established that the book damaged people's health, not "seriously" damaged it.

Incorrect. The stimulus is about one person not doing something because it damages someone else's health, whereas this answer is about not doing something that can possibly damage your own health.

Incorrect. This answer establishes a principle justifying the publishing of a book, whereas the judgment in the conclusion is that a book shouldn't be published.

Incorrect. While this answer provides a principle that can justify the conclusion, it doesn't have a sufficient condition that matches the stimulus. Presumably MacArthur does believe that her book would help people reach the goal of losing weight.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Principle (Strengthen)

Stimulus Summary:
MacArthur's book recommended a dangerously low amount of fruits/veggies, and as a physician, MacArthur should have known this, so she knew/should have known that.

Answer Anticipation:
Principle (Strengthen) questions ask us to justify the judgment in the conclusion based on the details in the premises.

Here, the conclusion is that MacArthur shouldn't have published her diet book. Why not? Because it included a recommendation that "undoubtedly damaged" some people's health, and MacArthur knew/should have known it would. So the principle will need to connect these ideas:

If someone knows or should know that a book they are publishing will damage people's health, they shouldn't publish that book.

Answer Explanation:
The stimulus establishes that MacArthur knows or should have known that her recommendation would damage the health of those who followed it. This answer, therefore, justifies the conclusion that she shouldn't have published it, so this is the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
Don't spend more time than needed on these Principle (Strengthen) questions. Find the conclusion, identify the relevant premises/details, and pick the answer that connects them.