- Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:00 am
#24084
Complete Question Explanation
Flaw in the Reasoning—CE. The correct answer choice is (C)
The author of this stimulus makes a flawed causal argument:
Premises:
Answer choice (A): This answer choice presents a particular type of causal flaw, but not the one reflected in this stimulus, so this answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): This would not be a flaw—the presumption that a decrease in the threat of encephalitis would be reasonable—but there is no such presumption made anyway, so this answer choice is also incorrect.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. The author disregards the fact that there may be other ways to control the mosquito population.
Answer choice (D): The author does not make any such presumptions, so this answer choice cannot be correct. It is irrelevant to consider that the threat of encephalitis might increase in the absence of mosquitoes—the argument is that we cannot decrease the threat, not maintain it.
Answer choice (E): It is not necessarily a flaw to base a conclusion about what is possible on factual premises, but this is not done in this stimulus regardless, so this answer choice is incorrect.
Flaw in the Reasoning—CE. The correct answer choice is (C)
The author of this stimulus makes a flawed causal argument:
Premises:
- A lot of rain usually causes more mosquitoes.
More mosquitoes cause an increased threat of encephalitis.
We can’t control the weather.
- There is no way to decrease the threat of encephalitis.
Answer choice (A): This answer choice presents a particular type of causal flaw, but not the one reflected in this stimulus, so this answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): This would not be a flaw—the presumption that a decrease in the threat of encephalitis would be reasonable—but there is no such presumption made anyway, so this answer choice is also incorrect.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. The author disregards the fact that there may be other ways to control the mosquito population.
Answer choice (D): The author does not make any such presumptions, so this answer choice cannot be correct. It is irrelevant to consider that the threat of encephalitis might increase in the absence of mosquitoes—the argument is that we cannot decrease the threat, not maintain it.
Answer choice (E): It is not necessarily a flaw to base a conclusion about what is possible on factual premises, but this is not done in this stimulus regardless, so this answer choice is incorrect.