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- Tue May 17, 2016 3:22 pm
#24998
Complete Question Explanation
Assumption. The correct answer choice is (C)
This stimulus analyzes the some of the gardening books published by Garden Path. Some of their gardening books recommend tilling the soil and adding compost. But, the author points out, they do not explain the difference between two different types of compost. The author claims that any gardening book that does not explain the basics of composting is flawed, so some Garden Path books are flawed as well.
The question stem asks for what is required for the conclusion, so we know it is an assumption question. Assumption questions are phrased in terms of what be present for the conclusion to follow. Looking at the argument, we realize that the author does not adequately explain what the basics of composting are. The author automatically assumes that explaining the difference between hot composting and cold composting is a part of understanding the basics of composting. Therefore, we need a Supporter Assumption, because the author made a logical jump in the argument that an assumption is needed to address.
Answer choice (A): For assumption questions, we always need to focus on what is required for the conclusion of the argument in the stimulus. The conclusion in this argument is that some books by Garden Path are flawed. This answer choice is about books that are not flawed, and thus, would not directly impact the argument.
Answer choice (B): Like in answer choice (A), this answer choice can be eliminated by focusing on the conclusion. The argument does not attempt to state what gardeners should or should not do. It focuses only on the components of a flawed gardening book.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. The conclusion of the argument is that some books by Garden Path are flawed for failing to explain the basics of composting. We know that some of the books fail to explain the difference between hot and cold composting. Thus, this answer choice acts as a Supporter Assumption to connect understanding hot and cold composting and the basics of composting.
Answer choice (D): The argument is about the explanation of composting, and not about people who understand various aspects of composting. Using the Assumption Negation technique, we can better see why this answer choice does not adequately address the problem in the stimulus. The negated form of the answer choice would be “Not everyone who understands the difference between hot and cold composting understands at least the basics of composting.” If we insert this back into the argument it has no impact on the conclusion that books are flawed for failing to explain the concept. The stimulus does not argue that understanding certain concepts is required; however it does argue that explaining certain concepts is.
Answer choice (E): This is a Mistaken Negation of a conditional idea in the stimulus. The author argues that if a book recommends composting without explaining the basics, then it is flawed. It does not say that if it includes the basics, then it is not flawed. This answer choice is a good example of how conditional reasoning can be helpful to understand even where it is not central to the argument in the stimulus. Conditional ideas can occur in any stimulus or answer choice.
Assumption. The correct answer choice is (C)
This stimulus analyzes the some of the gardening books published by Garden Path. Some of their gardening books recommend tilling the soil and adding compost. But, the author points out, they do not explain the difference between two different types of compost. The author claims that any gardening book that does not explain the basics of composting is flawed, so some Garden Path books are flawed as well.
The question stem asks for what is required for the conclusion, so we know it is an assumption question. Assumption questions are phrased in terms of what be present for the conclusion to follow. Looking at the argument, we realize that the author does not adequately explain what the basics of composting are. The author automatically assumes that explaining the difference between hot composting and cold composting is a part of understanding the basics of composting. Therefore, we need a Supporter Assumption, because the author made a logical jump in the argument that an assumption is needed to address.
Answer choice (A): For assumption questions, we always need to focus on what is required for the conclusion of the argument in the stimulus. The conclusion in this argument is that some books by Garden Path are flawed. This answer choice is about books that are not flawed, and thus, would not directly impact the argument.
Answer choice (B): Like in answer choice (A), this answer choice can be eliminated by focusing on the conclusion. The argument does not attempt to state what gardeners should or should not do. It focuses only on the components of a flawed gardening book.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. The conclusion of the argument is that some books by Garden Path are flawed for failing to explain the basics of composting. We know that some of the books fail to explain the difference between hot and cold composting. Thus, this answer choice acts as a Supporter Assumption to connect understanding hot and cold composting and the basics of composting.
Answer choice (D): The argument is about the explanation of composting, and not about people who understand various aspects of composting. Using the Assumption Negation technique, we can better see why this answer choice does not adequately address the problem in the stimulus. The negated form of the answer choice would be “Not everyone who understands the difference between hot and cold composting understands at least the basics of composting.” If we insert this back into the argument it has no impact on the conclusion that books are flawed for failing to explain the concept. The stimulus does not argue that understanding certain concepts is required; however it does argue that explaining certain concepts is.
Answer choice (E): This is a Mistaken Negation of a conditional idea in the stimulus. The author argues that if a book recommends composting without explaining the basics, then it is flawed. It does not say that if it includes the basics, then it is not flawed. This answer choice is a good example of how conditional reasoning can be helpful to understand even where it is not central to the argument in the stimulus. Conditional ideas can occur in any stimulus or answer choice.