Logical reasoning PrepTest 142 · Section 1 · Question 3

Incorrect. The stimulus doesn't mention any nonessential services, or of spending more/less on things, so this answer is out of scope.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen (Principle)

Stimulus Summary:
Lottery revenue can go down, but health services are essential, so the government shouldn't use lottery money to fund health services.

Answer Anticipation:
Strengthen (Principle) questions are all about connecting the details of the situation described in the premise to the judgment made in the conclusion. Since the conclusion is what needs to be justified, it's often good practice to start there and work backwards, looking for the details that do the most to work towards it.

Here, the conclusion is that the government shouldn't use lottery money to fund health services. Why? Because health services are essential, and lottery revenue could fall.

Therefore, the principle generalizing from these specifics is something like:

The government shouldn't use an uncertain funding mechanism for an essential service.

Answer Explanation:
While this answer flips our anticipation around, it justifies the conclusion. Lottery revenue is noted as being unreliable, while health services are noted as essential. If essential services such as health services must be funded from reliable sources, then an unreliable source such as lottery revenue mustn't/shouldn't be used.

Key Takeaway:
Strengthen (Principle) questions connect the details from the premises to the judgment in the conclusion. Figure out what detail(s) from the premises the author believes are justifying her conclusion and then connect them in the correct answer.

Incorrect. The argument concludes that the government shouldn't fund "any part" of health services with lottery money—so this answer about a service being "entirely funded" doesn't match up.

Incorrect. The argument establishes that these health services are essential to the community. While that's not the same as saying the government recognizes them as such, this answer doesn't add anything that connects to the conclusion about funding mechanisms.

Incorrect. This doesn't prevent that lottery revenue from declining and leaving a shortfall so big that the money set aside can't cover it.