PrepTest 142

Incorrect. The conclusion is about what the government shouldn't do, and this answer is about what residents shouldn't be allowed to do.

Incorrect. The Official concludes the government shouldn't support the project despite residents being determined, so this answer doesn't reflect the details of the argument.

Incorrect. The people in question are strongly committed to their community so the principle in this answer doesn't apply to this situation.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Principle (Strengthen)

Stimulus Summary:
The recently devastated hiking trails will likely see dangerous landslides again in the future, so the government shouldn't help rebuild them.

Answer Anticipation:
In this stimulus, we get a huge indicator right off the bat that we can skim over the first half—"Although." That word introduces something that, while true, the author is going to pivot away from. It's a concession to an opposing view, or information that the author thinks is true but ultimately not convincing. Here, it introduces an opposing view that the author pivots away from.

That pivot is to a conclusion, as almost all "should/shouldn't" statements are. This is what we are tasked with justifying, and the following statement is a premise since it's introduced by, "The reason is clear," thus supporting the previous statement.

So the principle connecting these ideas:

If some action is likely to lead to future injury, the government shouldn't help accomplish it.

Answer Explanation:
The argument establishes that the trails have "a strong likelihood" of causing serious injury during future landslides, so this answer choice justifies the conclusion that the government shouldn't assist in rebuilding them.

Key Takeaway:
When there are multiple actors in a stimulus—here, the government and residents—note which one the conclusion applies to. Many incorrect answers will apply to the other group. Here, the conclusion limited government action; many incorrect answers spoke to what the residents should/shouldn't do.

Incorrect. The conclusion is that the government shouldn't assist the residents in rebuilding these trails, not that the residents should be discouraged from doing so.