Logical reasoning PrepTest 155 · Section 2 · Question 10

Question prompt

Toning shoes—walking shoes with Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: C

The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.

Question Type

Paradox Questions

Answer choices

  1. A
    Toning shoes strengthen small Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    Incorrect. The paradox surrounds strengthening of major muscles of the leg, not small muscles of the feet and ankles. This answer requires assuming strengthening those muscles results in strengthening leg muscles, but there's no information supporting that.
  2. B
    Muscles in the leg Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    Incorrect. If anything, this makes the paradox worse by suggesting that any benefits should be short-lived.
  3. C
    Many people find toning Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C matches the stem
    Correct. Argument or Facts:
    Facts

    Question Type:
    Paradox

    Stimulus Summary:
    Toning shoes don't give leg muscles more exercise than regular shoes, but people who switch to them experience leg muscle strengthening.

    Answer Anticipation:
    If the shoes themselves aren't strengthening muscles, then there must be some other change that accompanies them that results in it. Maybe people who buy them are doing so as part of a broader attempt to build strength. Anything to that effect will resolve the paradox, so we should stay flexible while analyzing the answers.

    Answer Explanation:
    This answer is similar to the anticipation—people who wear these shoes walk more (i.e., exercising), which would explain the strengthening leg muscles. It's not the shoes—it's the additional exercise.

    Key Takeaway:
    For Paradox questions, if a change is brought up (here, leg muscle strengthening), think about what could lead to that change, as it should guide you to the answer. But be sure that the change is connected to the paradox!
  4. D
    There is little evidence Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    Incorrect. Not injuring people doesn't explain how it makes them stronger. It might rule out something that would prevent them from getting stronger, but it doesn't explain the strength gain itself.
  5. E
    Shoes that strengthen the Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    Incorrect. Marketability doesn't explain how shoes that don't strengthen leg muscles would still result in the leg muscles being strengthened. This answer is out of scope.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A 20%
  2. B 7%
  3. C Credited 70%
  4. D 0%
  5. E 3%

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