Logical Reasoning

PT130 · S4 · Q23 Eight large craters run

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Eight large craters run in a long straight line across a geographical region.

Opposing Point

Some of the craters contain rocks that have undergone high-pressure shocks characteristic of meteorites slamming into Earth.

Evidence

Eight large craters run in a long straight line across a geographical region.

These shocks could have been caused by extreme volcanic events.

Because of the linearity of the craters, it is very unlikely that some of them were caused by volcanoes and others were caused by meteorites.

The craters are all different ages.

Conclusion

The craters were probably caused by volcanic events rather than meteorites.

Evaluate

While the argument compares two possible causes of the eight large craters, the evidence is not conclusive that the cause is more likely to be one or the other of the two possible causes.

23.

Which one of the following statements, if true, would most strengthen the argument?

  1. A similar but shorter line

    Too Weak

    This example is not similar enough to support the conclusion since the these craters are all of the same age.

    16% picked this

  2. Correct

    No known natural cause would

    Why this is right

    This makes it unlikely that the craters were formed by meteorites and more likely that they craters were formed by volcanic events.

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

    50% picked this

  3. There is no independent evidence

    Weaken

    This makes it less likely that the craters were caused by volcanic events.

    2% picked this

  4. There is no independent evidence

    Weaken

    This makes it less likely that the craters were caused by volcanic events.

    3% picked this

  5. No known single meteor shower

    Out of Scope

    The craters discussed in the argument are of different ages, while this is about eight craters of the same age.

    29% picked this

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