Logical reasoning PrepTest 144 · Section 3 · Question 14

Incorrect. Sharon seems to be among this novelist's most dedicated fans, so this answer leans in the direction of Sharon changing her opinion of the politician, not the novelist as in the stimulus.

Incorrect. There's no discussion of the novelist's background or knowledge on politics, so we don't know whether this principle applies to the situation at hand.

Incorrect. This answer might justify a judgment on the actions of the novelist, but it doesn't address Sharon's response to the novelist's remarks.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen (Principle)

Stimulus Summary:
Situation Ð Sharon's favorite novelist spoke out against a politician she has supported
Outcome Ð Sharon likes the novelist less and the politician the same

Answer Anticipation:
This stimulus describes a change that happened in response to a situation (in other words, it establishes a cause of a change/effect). Since this is a Strengthen (Principle) question, we need to connect the cause to the effect.

Here, it's important to track what did and didn't change. Sharon's opinion of the novelist did change; her opinion of the politician didn't. This is based on her hearing the former speak out against the latter.

So her opinion of the person who challenged her view of someone else changed; it didn't change her view of that other person. The correct answer should connect this:

When someone challenges another's view, the person is more likely to change their view of the speaker rather than the view that's being challenged.

Answer Explanation:
This answer justifies Sharon's change of opinion. The novelist spoke out against a long-standing opinion of Sharon's. It changed her opinion of the source of the testimony—the novelist—rather than her opinion—support for the politician.

Key Takeaway:
Strengthen (Principle) questions have answers that connect the details in the premises to the judgment in the conclusion.

Incorrect. While it's not established how long Sharon's been a fan of the novelist, it seems as if she's been a long-term supporter of both the artist and the politician, so this answer doesn't justify siding with the politician over the novelist. Also, Sharon didn't "renounce" the novelist—her estimation of the novelist declined.