PT152 S4 Q9 ExplanationOffice manager: Every vacation

Answer choices, explained

1. A

   Too Strong: each is equal7% picked this

   It takes for granted that each short vacation taken by an office worker during a year reduces the psychological exhaustion experienced on

   The author doesn't have to assume that each mini-vacation is identically replenishing. She is, however, assuming that the aggregate level of psychological benefit from several short vacations is equal to the aggregate level of psychological benefit from one or two long vacations.

   7%
2. B

   Not an Objection2% picked this

   It overlooks the possibility that there are methods office workers can employ to reduce the amount of psychological exhaustion experienced on the job that

   Would it hurt the argument to say, "Hey, author there are other methods workers can employ to reduce exhaustion that are as effective as vacations"? Not really, since the author's conclusion was "To reduce exhaustion as much as possible do X". This answer deals with alternative options that would tie method X, not surpass it.

   2%
3. C

   Not an Objection3% picked this

   It overlooks the possibility that individual office workers may differ substantially in the extent to which taking vacations reduces the amount of psychological

   It doesn't hurt the argument to say that people are different. The author's conclusion is about the total amount of exhaustion. The author doesn't care whether everyone contributes equally to that total. The author overlooks the possibility that office workers, on average, may differ substantially in the extent to which shorter vacations compare to longer ones in terms of relief from psychological exhaustion

   3%
4. D

   Not an Objection15% picked this

   It fails to consider that for office workers the total amount of vacation time taken over the course of a year may have a

   The total amount of vacation time isn't changing, so it's not an objection to say "They won't like this; they care most about total vacation time!" We need an objection saying, "They won't like this; they care less about the number of vacations, and more about the ability to take a long trip"

   15%
5. E

   Correct74% picked this

   It fails to consider that a long vacation may reduce the psychological exhaustion an office worker experiences on the job much more

   Why this is right

   This works as an objection, because we can argue, "Author, having more vacations won't get us to a bigger overall reduction in exhaustion. Mini-vacations only reduce your exhaustion by 15%, but long vacations reduce it like 50%. Four 15%'s reductions doesn't add up to as much as two 50% reductions.

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

   74%