Logical reasoning PrepTest 147 · Section 4 · Question 7

Incorrect. This answer would justify a conclusion about what should be done, not what is wrong/should not be done.

Incorrect. This answer doesn't address the judgment in the conclusion and thus it can't justify the reasoning.

Incorrect. First, the stimulus is about economic prosperity/freedom in another country. Second, this still doesn't establish whether it's wrong to fail to do so.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen (Principle)

Stimulus Summary:
A better economy tends to increase freedom in a country, so it's wrong to adopt trade policies that hurt other economies.

Answer Anticipation:
Principle (Strengthen) questions require us to justify the judgment in the conclusion based on the premises. We should start with that judgment and work backwards.

Here, the judgment is that it's bad to adopt certain trade policies. Why? Because these trade policies will hurt other economics, thus preventing something that would increase political freedom in those countries.

However, the Negotiator never establishes that countries should adopt trade policies that increase political freedom abroad. That's a gap in the logic that will need to be filled with the principle in the correct answer.

Answer Explanation:
Economic growth tends to increase political freedom. Hindering that growth could therefore hinder the development of that freedom. This answer, therefore, justifies the conclusion that it would be wrong to adopt a trade policy that is likely to hurt another country's economy.

Key Takeaway:
Strengthen (Principle) questions generally present a detailed scenario where the author draws a judgment in the conclusion. The correct answer will connect some of those details to the judgment. To anticipate an answer, start with the conclusion and work backwards. When working through the answers, eliminate anyone that doesn't justify the conclusion.

Incorrect. This answer does justify drawing a conclusion that doing something would be wrong, but the stimulus isn't about policy that would diminish the prosperity of domestic inhabitants, so this answer is out of scope.