People who receive unsolicited advice

Answer choices

1. A

   Bad Conclusion Match8% picked this

   After learning by chance that Harriet is looking for a secure investment for her retirement savings, Floyd writes to her recommending the R&M Company

   The quickest way to skip past this is to glance first for the Conclusion, indirectly indicated here by a Premise marker: Since _____ , [conclusion] The conclusion here is "reject his advice out of hand". Total dismissal. The principle has to support a conclusion that means something like "should be skeptical". That's not the meaning of "reject out of hand". Skeptical implies that you're still undecided.

   8%
2. B

   Correct49% picked this

   While shopping for a refrigerator, Ramon is approached by a salesperson who, on the basis of her personal experience, warns him against the least

   Why this is right

   Unsolicited advice? Yes, the salesperson approached Ramon. Advice would serve the giver's interests? Yes, the salesperson makes more in commission when she sells something that costs more money, and she's recommending that Ramon buy a more expensive model. No good reason to think interests coincide? Nothing mentioned. The advice was on the basis of her experience. Is the conclusion telling Ramon to be skeptical of the advice? Yes, it says "don't reject the least expensive on her advice alone". i.e., "remain undecided for now".

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

   49%
3. C

   Solicited Advice9% picked this

   Mario wants to bring pastry to Yvette’s party, and when he consults her Yvette suggests that he bring his favorite chocolate fudge brownies from

   Since Mario consults Yvette about what advice she has for a pastry to bring to her party, he is soliciting her advice, so this principle doesn't apply. We can bail once we see "he consults her".

   9%
4. D

   Interests Coincide19% picked this

   Sara overhears Ron talking about a course he will be teaching and interrupts to recommend a textbook for his course. However, even though Sara

   Unsolicited advice? Yes, she interrupts. Advice would serve the giver's interests? Yes, her friend is the editor of the book and she wrote a chapter. No good reason to think interests coincide? Actually, it's murky. He wrote a chapter in the book too, so this is why this answer loses out to (B).

   19%
5. E

   Opposite Conclusion16% picked this

   Mei is buying fish for soup. Joel, who owns the fish market where Mei is a regular and valued customer, suggests a much less

   The conclusion (indirectly indicated by Premise word "Since") is saying should accept recommendation. Our principle only can prove should be skeptical about recommendation. You can't take a rule like if you lie to your mom, you did something bad And flip it, to get if didn't lie to mom, you did nothing bad

   16%