PrepTest 103

Incorrect. The newly developed capacity here is the imagination. That didn't solely lead to problems—it also led to a solution.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen (Principle)

Stimulus Summary:
Problem - Imagination leads to monsters in the closet
Solution - Imagination leads to toys becoming protectors
Judgment - Imagination can be used to render imaginary threats harmless

Answer Anticipation:
Strengthen (Principle) questions tend to present a judgment in the conclusion backed up by details in a situation. Here, that's the case, and the situation conforms to a common pattern—a Problem/Solution situation. There, a problem is presented, as well as a solution.

And, in this case, the problem and solution all come from the same place—the imagination. That imagination leads to the problem (tormenting imaginary creatures), as well as the solution (toys that are imagined as heroes saving the day).

So let's anticipate a principle that lines up with these details:

Something can be both the cause of and solution to a certain problem. (This is very close to a Homer Simpson quote, so it must be correct.)

Answer Explanation:
The problem here is the imaginary threats. The cause of that was imagination. That imagination was also the source of the imagined toy protectors that would ward off these imaginary threats. So at least in the case of imagination, it is a cause of a problem and a solution, making this the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
When a common pattern shows up in a Strengthen (Principle) question, it can be helpful to frame your understanding around it. Here, the situation described discussed problems and solutions, and the correct answer was framed around that.

Incorrect. There's no discussion of real threats, or a child's ability to distinguish between them. Maybe they know the threat is imaginary, and imagining a solution to it is a way to develop self-confidence in a safe space!

Incorrect. First, the stimulus is about imaginary creatures that torment children—that's not the same thing as "fears." Second, it seems as if the children here are addressing their fears by imagining heroes to protect them, not by addressing them. Third, if anything, the stimulus presents imagining heroes as being effective, so saying something else is the "most effective" means of doing something is off.

Incorrect. The stimulus discusses a single problem associated with being a child, so discussing "most" problems associated with "child-rearing" throws this answer choice off.