The owners of Uptown Apartments

Answer choices

1. A

   Correct72% picked this

   John's injured knee does not cause him a lot of pain, so he does not want to undergo the pain of surgery to heal

   Why this is right

   John’s injured knee does not cause him a lot of pain. So he does not want to undergo the pain of surgery to heal it. But the surgery would enable him to exercise regularly again. Thus John should have the surgery. The argument recommends a course of action against the wishes of John who feels the cost of that action is too great. The evidence presents a benefit of the recommended course of action John did not consider.

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

   72%
2. B

   Wrong Structure / Wrong Validity8% picked this

   Since its fishing season lasts only six months, Laketown Fishing Company prefers renting boats to buying its own. But since boats can be used

   It’s [the Laketown Fishing Company] fishing season lasts only six months. Laketown Fishing Company prefers renting boats to buying its own. But boats can be used for other purposes during the fishing season. It has made the wrong decision. The evidence does not provide a benefit of buying the boats, since the other purposes are during the fishing season, when Laketown Fishing Company already has the boats they rent.

   8%
3. C

   Wrong Structure14% picked this

   Max's mechanic thinks there is a crack in the left cylinder head of Max's car and wants to remove the engine to check. Such

   Such a diagnostic engine removal [to check for the crack in the left cylinder head] would cost about $175, even if the cylinder head does not need replacement. Max’s mechanic thinks there is a crack in the left cylinder head of Max’s car and wants to remove the engine to check. But if the cylinder head is cracked and is not replaced, the engine will be ruined. So Max should have the mechanic check for the crack. This argument does not recommend a course of action against the wishes of Max, since Max’s preferred course of action is not discussed.

   14%
4. D

   Out of Scope4% picked this

   Because of dental problems, Leona cut her consumption of candy. Consequently, she learned to enjoy fruit more. Thus, dental problems, which can lead to

   Dental problems can lead to other health problems. Because of dental problems, Leona cut her consumption of candy. Consequently, she learned to enjoy fruit more. Thus, dental problems led in her case to an improved diet and better health overall. This argument does not recommend a course of action. It reasons through a causal chain about what has happened, while the argument in the stimulus is about what should happen.

   4%
5. E

   Wrong Structure / Wrong Validity2% picked this

   Bulk Fruit Company is deciding whether to market a new hybrid fruit. It is enthusiastic about the idea, since research suggests that people will

   Research suggests that people will come to like this [new hybrid] fruit. Bulk Fruit Company is enthusiastic about the idea [marketing the hybrid fruit]. Therefore, it is in the long-term interest of the company to market the hybrid fruit. This argument does not recommend a course of action against the wishes of the Bulk Fruit Company, since their preferred course of action is the one recommended. Furthermore, the conclusion is not supported by the evidence.

   2%