H. G Wells's great dramatic novel

Answer choices

1. A

   Unrelated to Goal20% picked this

   All novels that contain compelling characters are great

   We're looking for a rule that we can use to prove that "Time Machine should not be classified as sci-fi". This isn't a rule about what should or shouldn't be classified as sci-fi.

   20%
2. B

   No Impact9% picked this

   Novels can always be clearly classified into

   We're looking for a rule that we can use to prove that "Time Machine should not be classified as sci-fi". This is at least a rule related to classifying genres. But all it tells us is that Time Machine can be clearly classified into a distinct genre. It doesn't tell us whether that genre should or shouldn't be sci-fi.

   9%
3. C

   Unrelated to Goal4% picked this

   A work of science fiction cannot achieve greatness unless it contains

   We're looking for a rule that we can use to prove that "Time Machine should not be classified as sci-fi". This isn't a rule about what should or shouldn't be classified as sci-fi. It's a rule about what works can or can't achieve greatness.

   4%
4. D

   Unrelated to Goal2% picked this

   The most important determinant of a novel's quality is the strength

   We're looking for a rule that we can use to prove that "Time Machine should not be classified as sci-fi". This isn't a rule about what novels should or shouldn't be classified as sci-fi. It's a rule about what most determines a novel's quality.

   2%
5. E

   Correct65% picked this

   A dramatic novel cannot both be great and belong to the genre

   Why this is right

   Whoa, this is a weird answer! The only reason we'd find it is because we're looking for a rule that can allow us to prove that "Time Machine should not be classified as sci-fi". This is the only answer that has anything to do with whether or not something belongs to the genre of sci-fi (should be classified as sci-fi). Because of that, it's really the only answer worth considering, even if we don't understand how it works. Can we apply it to Time Machine? It says that, "If a dramatic novel is great, then it can't belong to the genre of sci-fi." Is Time Machine a dramatic novel that's great? Yes! The first four words tell us that Time Machine is a great dramatic novel. Thus, according to this answer, it can't belong to the genre of sci-fi. Thus, we have proven the conclusion true -- classifying Time Machine as sci-fi is inappropriate. Was there any way to suspect that the correct answer would use that meaningless detail rather than the actual premise? No! What a crazy decision by the test writers. What an important reminder to stay flexible and just worry about proving the conclusion. We can't be sure what part of the evidence or background will show up in the correct answer, but any wording in the Conclusion that was never defined in the evidence (such as what works should / shouldn't be classified as sci-fi), then we can be sure the correct answer will deal with that wording, or that idea.

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

   65%