Community organizer: Before last year's

Answer choices

1. A

   Correct91% picked this

   generalizes about the outcome of an event based on a single observation of

   Why this is right

   This is definitely an example of a simple flaw run through the dreaded complicator. Did the argument "generalize about the outcome of an event"? Well, the argument claims that this year's cleanup will be a success, which is a decent enough match to keep reading. Is the conclusion "based on a single observation of a similar situation"? Definitely: last year's cleanup. Going back to that first iffier part, I think we can say that the argument generalizes because it assumes that the situation last year is representative. In other words, it treats that instance as though that's what generally happens.

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

   91%
2. B

   Irrelevant Comparison4% picked this

   takes for granted that people who participated in last year's cleanup will

   "Takes for granted" means this answer should describe something that the argument assumes. The argument does assume a similarity between last year and this year: that more folks will show up than signed up. But it doesn't assume that the same individuals who showed up last year will show up this year.

   4%
3. C

   Necessary vs. Sufficient4% picked this

   confuses a condition that is required for an outcome with one that is sufficient

   This is describing a conditional logic flaw that does not appear in this argument. The argument does describe a condition that is sufficient (at least 100 participants) for an outcome (the cleanup being a success). But it doesn't take a condition that is required and confuse it with this sufficient condition. For this answer to be correct, the argument would look something like this: If we have at least 100 participants, the community cleanup is going to succeed. We had a successful cleanup, therefore we must have had at least 100 participants.

   4%
4. D

   Bad Objection0% picked this

   overlooks the possibility that the cleanup will attract participants who are not residents

   "Overlooks the possibility" means the answer choice should describe a potential objection, something that will weaken the argument. But the rest of this answer does not describe an objection. If the cleanup attracts participants from outside the community, that could be a good thing for the argument! It might help us reach the 100 participants that we need.

   0%
5. E

   Bad Description1% picked this

   defines a term in such a way as to ensure that whatever the outcome, it will be

   Sometimes a Flaw answer is wrong because it just doesn't describe what happened in the argument. This argument doesn't define any terms, and what would it even mean to define a term so it always puts a positive spin on the situation? Don't be tempted by the opaqueness of this answer! This is a trap for people who overlooked correct answer A on their first pass. They're hoping you'll think "this answer sounds really technical and hard to understand, therefore this answer is smarter than me, therefore this answer is correct." Don't be fooled!

   1%