Logical Reasoning

PT133 · S2 · Q24 Ecologists predict that the incidence

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Ecologists predict that the incidence of malaria will increase if global warming continues or if the use of pesticides is not expanded.

Evidence

Ecologists predict that the GWC or P↑ → M↑ incidence of malaria will increase if global warming continues or if the use of pesticides is not expanded.

The use of pesticides is P↑ → GWC known to contribute to global warming.

Conclusion

So it is inevitable that we M↑ will see an increase in malaria in the years to come.

Evaluate

The structure contains two if/then relationships that together prove the necessary condition of the first relationship. Two good quick checks for structure include 1) a conclusion that is a statement of fact; 2) an “or” statement in the trigger of one of the premises.

24.

The pattern of reasoning in which one of the following is most similar to that in the argument above?

  1. The crime rate will increase

    Wrong Conclusion

    The crime rate will E↑ or PO↑ → CR↑ increase if the economy does not improve or if we do not increase the number of police officers. But we will be able E↑ → PO to hire more police officers if the economy does improve. Therefore, the CR↑ crime rate will not increase. The conclusion should say that the crime rate will increase.

    5% picked this

  2. If educational funds remain at

    Wrong Premise

    If educational funds remain at their current level [do not (EF↑ + EF↓) increase and do not or decrease] or if we fail to RQT → SP↓ recruit qualified teachers, student performance will worsen. But we will fail to recruit RQT qualified teachers. Therefore, student SP↓ performance will worsen. Only one of the two premises contains an if/then relationship

    9% picked this

  3. Correct

    If interest rates increase or

    Why this is right

    If interest rates IR↑ or D↓ → IF↑ increase or demand for consumer goods does not decline, inflation will rise. But if there is a decline D↓ → IR↑ in the demand for consumer goods, that will lead to higher interest rates. Inflation will rise. IR↑ The reasoning and validity match those in the stimulus.

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

    76% picked this

  4. If global warming continues or

    Wrong Premise / Wrong Conclusion

    If global warming continues GWC or if the rate of ozone or depletion is not reduced, OD↓ → SC↑ there will be an increase in the incidence of skin cancer. But reduced use of A↓ → GWC + OD↓ aerosols ensures both that global warming will not continue and that ozone depletion will be reduced. The incidence of skin cancer SC↓ will not decrease. First, the second premise contains an "and" statement in the necessary condition. Second, technically, the conclusion should be that there will be an increase in the incidence of skin cancer will not decrease.

    3% picked this

  5. If deforestation continues at the

    Wrong Premise

    If deforestation continues at the (DF↑ + DF↓) current rate [does not increase + and does not decrease] and the UC↓ → WE use of chemicals is not curtailed, wildfire species will continue to become extinct. But because of increasing (DF↑ + DF↓) population worldwide, it is + inevitable that the current rate UC↓ of deforestation will continue [will not increase and will not decrease] and that the use of chemicals will not be curtailed. Thus, wildlife species will WE continue to become extinct. The first premise includes an "and" that should be an "or." The second premise does not provide an if/then relationship.

    8% picked this

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