PrepTest 140

Incorrect. The conclusion is a recommendation to reject a belief, not act, so this answer choice doesn't justify that conclusion.

Incorrect. The conclusion recommends rejecting the belief that historical forces completely determine the future, so this answer based on people who have already rejected that belief is a reversal of what we're looking for.

Incorrect. While this answer does justify a rejection of the belief that the future will be completely determined by historical forces, it does so for those who feel too helpless to act. We don't know that those who want to change the world are those who feel too helpless to act, so this answer doesn't justify the conclusion about those who want to change the world.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen (Principle)

Stimulus Summary:
If you believe you can't change society, you won't act to change society. So if you want to change society, you should reject the view that the future is completely determined by historical forces and not individuals.

Answer Anticipation:
The conclusion here makes a recommendation to anyone who wants to change society—that they should reject the view that the future is determined by historical forces and not individuals. Why should they reject that? Well, if you believe the future is completely determined by historical forces that individuals can't change, then you believe you can't change society which, according to the premise, means you'll feel too helpless to act to change society. So, in short, the argument is assuming that anyone who wants to change society should reject any belief that would lead them to feel powerless to make change:

Want to change society → Should reject beliefs making you feel powerless

Answer Explanation:
This answer states that those who want to change society should reject a belief making them feel powerless, which matches our anticipation. If you want to change society, this answer tells you to reject beliefs that make you feel powerless. Believing that individuals can't change society makes one feel helpless so, according to this answer, it should be rejected—justifying the conclusion.

Key Takeaway:
The language in this stimulus is complicated, and the answers are all very close together. When that's the case, try to identify overlap between the premises and conclusion, and then connect the terms that aren't already connected. Here, the premise and conclusion both talked about a belief that individuals can't improve society, so the correct answer should connect the other terms—those who want to improve society, and those who feel helpless to act.

Incorrect. This principle justifies a conclusion about taking action ("should act to"), not about rejecting a belief.