Logical reasoning PrepTest 146 · Section 1 · Question 15

Incorrect. While the stimulus does focus on the effect of fashionability on pricing, it doesn't ever establish that it "depends more" on that than materials. Prices are rising and falling based on what's in style, but the materials could be a primary determinant with fashionability being secondary.

Incorrect. Practicality is out of scope of the stimulus.

Incorrect. Leather/fur were fashionable at one time despite being labor intensive.

Incorrect. There's no indication that fashionability is solely related to appearance—maybe leather/fur are out of style because of a drive to respect animal rights in the fashion industry.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Facts

Question Type:
Strengthen

Stimulus Summary:
Leather/fur Ð Production is expensive, but as they have become out of style, prices have dropped
Other materials Ð Production is easier and prices have risen as they came into style

Answer Anticipation:
The stimulus highlights two examples of the intersection between production costs, style, and prices of clothing materials, so we should look for a relationship that holds between them.

As noted, there are three points of comparison: production costs, style, and price. Price seems to be somewhat based on production cost—leather/fur started high because it was expensive to produce, whereas other materials started low because they're easier—but style has driven the price of leather/fur down and other materials up. Therefore, we should look for an answer that highlights the role style plays in pricing since that relationship seems to be more direct and the focus of the stimulus.

Answer Explanation:
The pricing of leather/fur and other materials is shown in the stimulus to be affected by whether they're in fashion. This answer generalizes that trend, so the stimulus conforms to it, making it our answer.

Key Takeaway:
For questions asking you to find a generalization that the stimulus conforms to, don't worry about going too big—as long as the stimulus falls into the category discussed, it's fine if the correct answer applies to many other situations, as well.