PrepTest 120

Incorrect. First, it's not clear that the letter is meant to go public—it could be written to be sent straight to the legislator. Second, this answer would justify potentially responding differently in different situations, and the Chair's argument is that she should act similarly in these two situations.

Incorrect. This answer doesn't discuss criticizing an action through a letter at all, so it's out of scope of the argument.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen (Principle)

Stimulus Summary:
Legislator - Called a grant to a professor a waste of taxpayer money

University Department - Drafted a letter protesting the legislator's comment

Department Chair - Previously praised the legislator for criticizing the military budget, so refused to sign this letter

Answer Anticipation:
There are three viewpoints in this stimulus, so it's important to track what statements are a part of which viewpoint, and which one the question stem is asking about. For this question, it's asking about the argument the Department Chair makes in refusing to sign the protest letter.

Her argument is that she can't sign this letter because she previously praised the legislator for a similar action in a different field. Since Strengthen (Principle) questions almost always have answers that connect the judgment in the conclusion with the details in the premises, this answer will likely be similar to:
If a person praised an action someone else took in a situation, they shouldn't criticize that person for taking a similar action in a situation that impacts the person who gave praise.

Answer Explanation:
The Chair praised the legislator for serving as a watchdog for military spending, and she has a professional interest in her department, so this answer justifies her not signing the critical letter.

Key Takeaway:
When there are three viewpoints, it's important to track which statements are related to which one, and also to know which viewpoint(s) are relevant to the question.

Incorrect. Similar to (A), there's no indication that this letter is meant to go public. Outside of that, however, the justification for not signing it is that the Chair praised the legislator for a similar action, not that the institution doesn't pay taxes.

Incorrect. This answer doesn't address the Chair's actions, so it's out of scope.