Logical Reasoning

PT112 · S1 · Q13 When astronomers observed the comet

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When astronomers observed the comet Schwassman-Wachmann 3 becoming 1,000 times brighter in September 1995, they correctly hypothesized that its increased brightness was a result of the comet’s breaking up—when comets break up, they emit large amounts of gas and dust, becoming visibly brighter as a result.

Your task

Break the argument into its conclusion and evidence, then do exactly what the question stem asks with that structure.

Common trap

Answers that sound relevant to the topic but don't connect to the argument's actual reasoning.

Winning move

Predict what a right answer must do, then test each choice against the conclusion-evidence gap.

13.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent conflict in the statements above?

  1. Comets often do not emit

    Trap

    15% picked this

  2. The reason comets become brighter

    Trap

    2% picked this

  3. Correct

    Gas and dust can be

    Why this is right

    Answer C is correct.

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

    76% picked this

  4. The amount of gas and

    Trap

    6% picked this

  5. The comet passed close to

    Trap

    1% picked this

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