Logical Reasoning

PT125 · S4 · Q6 Wood-frame houses withstand

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Wood-frame houses withstand earthquakes far better than masonry houses do, because wooden frames have some flexibility; their walls can better handle lateral forces.

Apparent Paradox

Wood-frame houses withstand earthquakes far better than masonry houses do.

In a recent earthquake, however, a wood-frame house was destroyed, while the masonry house next door was undamaged.

Evaluate

Anything that makes the wood-frame house in the recent earthquake weaker than a usual wood-frame house or makes the masonry house stronger than usual would help explain this nonconforming example.

6.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain the results of the earthquake described above?

  1. In earthquake-prone areas, there are

    Out of Scope

    The issue is not how many of each there are, but rather how strong each one is.

    2% picked this

  2. In earthquake-prone areas, there are

    Out of Scope

    The issue is not how many of each there are, but rather how strong each one is.

    1% picked this

  3. Correct

    The walls of the wood-frame

    Why this is right

    This makes the wood-frame house weaker than a usual wood-frame house.

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

    89% picked this

  4. The masonry house was far

    Too Weak

    More expensive is not the same as stronger.

    0% picked this

  5. No structure is completely impervious

    Half Scope

    This might help explain why the wood-frame house was destroyed, but it does not help explain why it was destroyed while a masonry house next door was undamaged.

    7% picked this

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