PrepTest 140

Incorrect. The argument doesn't state that counselors shouldn't encourage the pursuit of journalism, just that they should provide a realistic view of the profession.

Incorrect. The stimulus isn't about happiness, so this answer is out of scope. It also doesn't talk about encouraging or discouraging different careers, just giving students a realistic view of those careers.

Incorrect. The conclusion isn't that counselors should encourage students to excel in their careers; if anything, it's that they should prepare them to work at the low levels of that career.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen (Principle)

Stimulus Summary:
Journalism isn't international travel as high schoolers think, but rather local news gathering. Therefore, career counselors should tell them this.

Answer Anticipation:
The conclusion is what high school career counselors "should" do, but the premises never establish rules guiding the behavior of these counselors. The principle, therefore, should connect the scenario described to that statement in the conclusion:

Career counselors should give their students a realistic view of the careers they express an interest in.

Answer Explanation:
This answer establishes something counselors should do—disabuse students of unrealistic conceptions of careers. In other words, they should ensure that students should have a realistic view of the career, which, when applied to journalism, leads to the conclusion.

Key Takeaway:
Strengthen (Principle) questions will generally present a scenario with a judgment or recommendation in the conclusion. The correct answer will connect that scenario to the judgment/recommendation in the conclusion.

Incorrect. First, this answer justifies a conclusion about counselors not doing their jobs, not one about what they "should" do. Second, the scenario in the stimulus isn't a job that would be initially appealing but overall regrettable—rather, it's a job that would initially not meet expectations.