Logical Reasoning

PT124 · S1 · Q21 The trees always blossom

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The trees always blossom in May if April rainfall exceeds 5 centimeters.

Conclusion

The trees won’t blossom in May.

Evidence

If April rain > 5cm → trees blossom in May. If April rain > 5cm → reservoirs full May 1. Reservoirs were not full May 1.

Evaluation

The argument provides two conditional premises, each of which starts with “IF April rain is more than 5cm”. It then reasons that since one of the right sides isn’t coming true, then the other right side won’t be true, even though those two ideas aren’t conditionally connected.

Formally, it looks like this: Premise 1: A → B Premise 2: A → C Premise 3: C isn’t happening. CONCLUSION: So, B isn’t happening.

Goal

We need two conditional premises that both have the same left side idea. If we have that, we’ll check that the answer then says .

21.

Which one of the following exhibits a flawed pattern of reasoning most similar to the flawed pattern of reasoning in the argument above?

  1. Correct

    If the garlic is in

    Why this is right

    Looks promising, two conditional premises: Garlic in pantry → fresh Garlic in pantry → potatoes on basement stairs We would want to hear that one of those right sides isn’t happening and then conclude that the other one isn’t happening either. Potatoes not on stairs. Thus, garlic is not fresh.

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

    71% picked this

  2. The jar reaches optimal temperature

    Bad Premise Match

    We should stop reading this after the first two sentences, because the two conditional premises do not have the same left side. We’re given these: held 2+ mins → optimal temp optimal temp → liquefy immediately These would actually chain together, which does not mimic the original.

    2% picked this

  3. A book is classified "special"

    Bad Premise Match

    We should stop reading this after the first two sentences, because the two conditional premises do not have the same left side. We’re given these: more than 200 years old → special set with wooden type → more than 200 years old Again, like B, these two conditionals actually chain together.

    7% picked this

  4. The mower will operate only

    Bad Premise Match

    We should stop reading this after the first two sentences, because the two conditional premises do not have the same left side. We’re given these: Mower operates → engine not flooded Foot pedal depressed → engine is flooded These two would also chain together, unlike the original.

    8% picked this

  5. If the kiln is too

    Bad Premise Match

    We should stop reading this after the first two sentences, because the two conditional premises do not have the same left side. They chain together. We’re given these: Too hot → plates crack Plates crack → must redo order

    12% picked this

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