Logical Reasoning

PT124 · S2 · Q3 Because it permits a slower

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Because it permits a slower and more natural rhythm of life, living in the country is supposed to be more healthy and relaxed than living in the city.

Statements

Living in the country is supposed to be more healthy and relaxed (because of the slower, more natural rhythm).

But surveys show people living in the country become ill as often and as seriously as people in the city, and they experience an equal amount of stress.

Evaluate

This looks like a Reconcile the Pivot setup, where the synthesis comes by combining the final idea with what came before the pivot word (But).

The tension between the two statements is that people think that the country is healthier and relaxed, but it seems like they're just as sick and stressed as city folk.

However, the first claim is a Causal one — living in the country permits a slower and more natural rhythm.

Goal

Maybe it will be some anti-causal synthesis, where we reconcile the Difference of country living (slower, more natural rhythm) with the Sameness of country living (just as sick and stressed), like

slower and more natural rhythm does not tend to make you healthier / more relaxed

Stay flexible, though. Whatever we can prove/support works.

3.

The statements above, if true, provide the most support for which one of the following?

  1. Correct

    Living in the country is

    Why this is right

    This is basically giving us the implied rebuttal of the "But". Living in the country is supposed to be more healthy and relaxed. But ... country folk get just as sick country folk are equally stressed Thus, [implied rebuttal], living in the country is not more healthy and relaxed.

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

    83% picked this

  2. Living in the country does

    Wrong Rebuttal

    That first claim is presented as a given, not as an opinion. Only the second clause in the 1st sentence is a speculation. FACT: living in the country permits a slower and more natural rhythm BECAUSE OF THIS FACT: living in the country is supposed to be more healthy and relaxed. Furthermore, the author never says anything that counters the idea that living in the country has a slower and more natural rhythm of life.

    11% picked this

  3. People whose rhythm of life

    Opposite

    This passage is saying that where you live (and thus the rhythm of life at which you live) is not a causal difference-maker when it comes to illness or stress.

    1% picked this

  4. Despite what people believe, a

    Too Strong: unhealthy

    The author isn't saying that living in the country is worse than the city, or bad, or unhealthy. He's just saying, "the idea that living in the country is healthier and more relaxing isn't borne out by surveys." That doesn't mean it's worse; it could just be the same.

    1% picked this

  5. The amount of stress a

    Opposite

    The paragraph is actually establishing that "despite the different rhythm of life, there isn't a difference in stress for country folk". Thus the paragraph is showing that stress apparently doesn't depend / co-vary with rhythm of life.

    4% picked this

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