PT157 S3 Q17 ExplanationAnarchist: People can either fight

Answer choices, explained

1. A

   Contradicted6% picked this

   Governments provide many social goods, and the argument does not attempt to explain why anarchy is a desirable alternative to government control

   The argument does explain why anarchy is desirable — it allows freedom to pursue happiness. And it explains why totalitarianism is undesirable — it destroys the spirit. This answer mischaracterizes the argument.

   6%
2. B

   Contradicted2% picked this

   By asserting that people both should and should not tolerate totalitarian government, the

   The argument does not say people should tolerate totalitarianism — it argues they should fight for anarchy instead. The first sentence presents toleration as one option; the conclusion recommends against it. There is no contradiction within the argument.

   2%
3. C

   Reversal5% picked this

   The argument infers from the assertion that people should fight for anarchy that

   This answer reverses the argument's actual logic. The argument infers from "totalitarianism is objectionable" that "people should fight for anarchy" — not the other way around. This answer has the direction of inference backwards.

   5%
4. D

   Contradicted7% picked this

   The argument offers no indication that there is evidence for its claim that totalitarianism destroys the spirit

   The argument says "history shows" that totalitarianism makes life miserable. "History" is offered as evidence. This answer claims no evidence is indicated, which contradicts the text.

   7%
5. E

   Correct80% picked this

   The argument sets out anarchy and totalitarianism as the only two political alternatives

   Why this is right

   This identifies the false dichotomy. The argument presents only two options — anarchy and totalitarianism — as if nothing exists between them. In reality, most political systems occupy the vast middle ground: democracies, republics, constitutional monarchies, and numerous other forms of limited government. By excluding these alternatives, the argument artificially narrows the choice to make anarchy seem like the only reasonable option.

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

   80%