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Break the argument into its conclusion and evidence, then do exactly what the question stem asks with that structure.
Answers that sound relevant to the topic but don't connect to the argument's actual reasoning.
Predict what a right answer must do, then test each choice against the conclusion-evidence gap.
Which one of the following principles, if valid, most helps to justify the reasoning in the argument?
Science publications should balance the
We need an answer that says we should go towards the rigorous, accurate direction and away from the metaphorical, inaccurate direction. So "balancing them" feels almost like the opposite of what we want.
1% picked this
The more recent a scientific
We need an answer that says we should go towards the rigorous, accurate direction and away from the metaphorical, inaccurate direction. This doesn't offer us any distinction between those two options. It just says "newer = harder". We know. That was basically a background premise. But how should we deal with these harder / newer developments? The rigorous/accurate way or the metaphorical/popular way?
4% picked this
In reporting scientific developments, it
Why this is right
We need an answer that says we should go towards the rigorous, accurate direction and away from the metaphorical, inaccurate direction. This tips the scales in that direction. The author was Weighing Tradeoffs and her conclusion indicates that she would rather avoid being inaccurate than seek a wide audience.
Skill tested: Principle-Strengthen · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.
90% picked this
In reporting scientific developments, it
We need an answer that says we should go towards the rigorous, accurate direction and away from the metaphorical, inaccurate direction. This is saying we should go towards the metaphorical direction that reaches a wide audience.
4% picked this
Even the most rigorous explanations
Too Weak: even the most have some This answer is saying that you'll never 100% get rid of metaphors. Okay, cool. But the question is still whether we should aspire to the 99% metaphor free rigorous style (that is accurate but small audience) or whether we should aspire to the highly metaphorical style that is less accurate but attracts a wider audience. This doesn't help us pick.
1% picked this
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