Logical reasoning PrepTest 152 · Section 4 · Question 22

If anything, this answer strengthens the argument by suggesting people don't value gifts they've received, as they're returning them.

This answer is trying to trap you into thinking that gift cards can't be highly valued since if they were, they'd make up a larger percentage of gifts given. However, that's highly speculative and requires several large assumptions, since there's no reason to believe that particularly valuable gifts would be particularly well known, or that there's not another reason people skip giving gift cards (maybe they're highly valued but seen as impersonal).

This answer choice would only be in play if it stated that these higher valued gifts exceed the value of the item/gift card. The comparison is out of scope since it doesn't give us enough information to compare the value to the gift cards from the conclusion.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Weaken

Stimulus Summary:
People would pay much less than the actual cost for gifts selected for them by others, so they clearly value gift cards, which let them select their own gifts, more.

Answer Anticipation:
The premise is about the price a person would pay for an item, and then it jumps to value. While the amount someone would pay for an item is tied to the value, it's not the only thing that determines it. There could be some value in receiving a specific gift from a person even if you wouldn't have bought it yourself. Maybe it gains sentimental value?

Any answer that brings up different ways to define value that suggests a person might value a gift given to them at a higher price than they'd pay for it is in play.

Answer Explanation:
This answer suggests that, once a person has received an item as a gift, it becomes more valuable to them. The price someone would sell an item for is at least as valid a measurement as what they'd pay for it, and so this calls into question whether someone would rather receive a gift card. Maybe it really is the thought that counts!

Key Takeaway:
When an argument compares two things, make sure the answer you select necessarily impacts that comparison. Here, even though (D) doesn't mention the gift cards, since those have a value printed on them, knowing of a definitive increase in the value of the gifts impacts the comparison of which is more valuable.

While this answer represents an annoyance in returning the gifts, it doesn't necessarily impact the valuation of the gift.