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 saranash1
  • Posts: 168
  • Joined: May 21, 2013
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#10806
does the fact that the premise quotes, "since no one" and the correct answer choice quotes, "sinc no abstract" have anything to do with why the answer choice is correct?
 Ron Gore
PowerScore Staff
  • PowerScore Staff
  • Posts: 220
  • Joined: May 15, 2013
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#10810
Hi, saranash1. Thanks for your question.

The answer to your question is an unqualified yes or no. ;)

In truth, the answer depends on what you are really asking. If you are asking whether the parallel quality of the wording "since no one" and "since no abstract", without further consideration of the arguments, is enough to tell you that answer choice B is correct, then my response is no. What we're concerned about in Parallel Reasoning questions is not the exact word or presentation order of words, but rather the logical structure.

However, they are important to an understanding of the logical reasoning involved. In this case, "since" is a premise indicator used both in the stimulus and in answer (B), and so it is important in that it establishes the role played by the respective phrases. While it is not important that they used the same indicator, the meaning of the indicator is important. Also, the absence of something, "no one" and "no abstract", is important because those respective absences each plays a role in the conditional reasoning structure of the arguments.

The cautionary note here is not to fall into the trap of preferring appearance or specific word choice over logical meaning, structure and validity in parallel reasoning questions.

Hope that helps!

Ron
 saranash1
  • Posts: 168
  • Joined: May 21, 2013
|
#10825
helps. Thanks

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