Logical reasoning PrepTest 155 · Section 2 · Question 22

Incorrect. This answer has a language mismatch ("Usually" vs. "Everyone") as well as a different flaw (it combines two statements that share a necessary condition).

Incorrect. This answer has a language mismatch ("Some") and is also a valid argument.

Incorrect. This answer has a language mismatch ("Many") and is also a valid argument.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Flawed Parallel Reasoning

Stimulus Summary:
Make sound → Outlet is on
Usually inserting bill makes sound
Therefore, outlet usually on.

Answer Anticipation:
There's a subtle term shift here. Based on the premises, it can be concluded that when Merle inserts a bill, the outlet is usually on. However, that doesn't mean that the outlet is usually on all the time—just when Merle inserts a bill. Maybe the outlet only goes on during lunchtime, or when someone walks into the room with the change machine.

Answer Explanation:
This answer has matching language ("Most" matches with "Usually"), and it also commits the same flaw. Here, the argument shifts from a premise about most people who have read the horror novel, and concludes about most people. That's a match for shifting between when Merle inserts a dollar bill and over all time.

Key Takeaway:
For Parallel Reasoning questions, using strength mismatches is a good way to determine quickly whether an answer is likely to be correct or not. While certain strength mismatches do appear in correct answers, those are less common than strength mismatches which disqualify an answer, so it's a good rule of thumb.

Incorrect. While this answer has a similar language shift to the stimulus, it also reverses the logic in the conclusion—something the initial argument doesn't do. Therefore, this answer has a different flaw and isn't parallel.