Logical reasoning PrepTest 148 · Section 3 · Question 2

Incorrect. This answer creates a similarity between ancient Sumeria and modern civilizations—a reliance on irrigation. If anything, this strengthens the argument.

Incorrect. Even if this were true, the problems with their agriculture due to the use of irrigation was the actual cause of their civilizational collapse, so modern cultures that follow the same pattern could still be in trouble. This answer has no impact on the argument.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Weaken

Stimulus Summary:
Sumerian irrigation led to a buildup of chemicals that eventually hit toxic levels, resulting in societal collapse. The same thing will happen to modern civilizations that use irrigation.

Answer Anticipation:
This argument uses a scenario that happened 2,000 years ago to draw a conclusion about what will happen today. While the ancient Sumerians and certain modern civilizations are similar in one way—they both use irrigation—there could be other relevant differences that will save the modern civilizations from the same fate. For instance, irrigation technology could have improved, removing the dangerous chemicals from the water before it makes it to the crops.

Answer Explanation:
This answer choice states that there's a relevant difference between the ancient Sumerians and modern farmers—the latter use techniques that prevent the problem faced by the ancient Sumerians. Citing a difference that will address the problem faced gives reason to believe modern civilizations won't face the same fate, thus weakening the argument.

Key Takeaway:
When an argument in a Weaken question relies on two things being similar, relevant differences will weaken it. It's a common pattern, so add it to your arsenal!

Incorrect. The conclusion is only about those modern civilizations that rely heavily on irrigation for agriculture. Even if many modern civilizations don't rely on this technology, the conclusion is just about those that do. This answer has no impact on the argument.

Incorrect. First, even if there were some toxic salts before irrigation started, the stimulus notes that these salts built up to an unsustainable level because of agriculture. Second, without knowing if this is also true of the modern civilizations using irrigation, there's no way to know if this makes the civilizations in question more or less like ancient Sumeria.