Parents who wish to provide a strong

Answer choices

1. A

   Bad Objection2% picked this

   parents might not be the only source of a child’s

   Whether parents are the only source of a child's musical education doesn't weaken the argument. The conclusion is just that parents need to ensure their children receive formal instruction — they can ensure this by relying on other sources (a school, a community program, a teacher). The argument doesn't depend on parents being the sole provider, so noting that other sources exist doesn't expose a flaw.

   2%
2. B

   Bad Objection1% picked this

   some children might not be interested in receiving a strong foundation for

   The argument's conclusion only addresses parents who want to provide this foundation — it begins with "Parents who wish to provide a strong foundation." Whether some children would prefer not to receive that foundation is irrelevant to whether the argument's reasoning is valid for parents who do want to provide it.

   1%
3. C

   Bad Objection16% picked this

   there are many examples of people with formal instruction whose musical

   The argument doesn't claim formal instruction is sufficient for musical ability — only that it's required for a strong foundation. Pointing out cases of formally instructed people with poor ability would only damage the argument if it had said "formal instruction guarantees ability." It didn't. So examples of formally trained but unskilled musicians don't hurt the conclusion.

   16%
4. D

   Correct71% picked this

   formal instruction might not always be a part of a good

   Why this is right

   This is the flaw. The argument's evidence says formal instruction is often part of a good musical education — that leaves room for good musical educations without formal instruction. But the conclusion treats formal instruction as required. If formal instruction is sometimes absent from a good musical education, then a parent could provide that good education (and the resulting strong foundation) without ensuring formal instruction. The argument moves from "often part of" to "always required," and that move ignores the possibility (D) names.

   Skill tested: Flaw · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

   71%
5. E

   Bad Objection9% picked this

   some children might become good musicians even if they have not had

   The conclusion is about parents who want to provide a strong foundation, not about every child who turns out to be a good musician. Children who become good musicians without a good education are simply outside the argument's scope. Their existence doesn't challenge the claim that parents seeking this specific outcome need to provide formal instruction.

   9%