Logical reasoning PrepTest 150 · Section 3 · Question 4

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Weaken

Stimulus Summary:
Bach wrote a ton of music, so it was inevitable some would be great, and this prolific nature is why he's remembered (not because he usually wrote good stuff).

Answer Anticipation:
Bach is remembered. Bach wrote a lot. Therefore, writing a lot is why he's remembered. This argument has a subtle correlation/causation structure and flaw to it. The correct answer will likely present another reason why he's remembered (or provide evidence that the overall quality of his compositions—the reason rejected by the argument—is the real reason); provide counterexamples; or reverse the causality (which doesn't make sense here—he's remember, which made him prolific?—so we shouldn't look for it).

Answer Explanation:
This answer choice serves as a counterexample—other composers had the supposed cause (prolific) but not the effect (remembered). Counterexamples weaken causal relationships, so this is correct.

Key Takeaway:
Correlation/causation flaws are common in Strengthen and Weaken questions, so it's important to know the pattern to the answer choices.

Incorrect. This answer might seem to be a counterexample (effect without cause), but there's an important reason it's not, which we can see by comparing it to (A), the correct answer. The correct answer specifically states that these forgotten composers were Bach's contemporaries. This answer just mentions composers. If the highly regarded composers are still alive today, a determination of whether they'll be remembered is premature, and thus they can't serve as counterexamples.

Incorrect. This answer choice completely aligns with the authors argument that Bach wrote a ton, only some of which was good and worth remembering.

Incorrect. As long as it can be determined that he wrote a lot, the exact number isn't relevant to the argument.

Incorrect. While presenting another reason that Bach might be remembered would weaken this argument, and this answer presents a reason that some are remembered, it's a reason that we're already told can't apply to Bach, since his ratio is so low.