The highest-ranking detectives

Answer choices

1. A

   Explains Background3% picked this

   The detectives who have the highest success rate in solving criminal cases are those who have worked

   This would offer a potential explanation for why the highest ranking ones are the most adept, but we're trying to explain the other idea, that the highest ranking detectives (the more talented ones) have the same success rate as the less talented detectives.

   3%
2. B

   No impact4% picked this

   It generally takes at least ten years for a detective to rise from the lowest to the highest ranks

   If anything, this is doing the same thing as (A), which is explaining the background fact -- the high ranking detectives are more adept because they've been there ten years. But like (A), it has nothing to do with explaining the confusing fact, that the success rate of the talented detectives matches the success rate of the less talented ones.

   4%
3. C

   Unclear Impact3% picked this

   Those detectives in the police department who are the most adept at solving criminal cases are also those most likely to

   This highlights a difference between the highest and lowest ranking detectives, which is what we want. But does the difference explain why their success rates are equal? If you're one of the most talented detectives, and thus you're most likely to remain in the police department, does that explain why your success rate is the same as a much less adept detective.

   3%
4. D

   Correct89% picked this

   The police department generally gives the criminal cases that it expects to be the easiest to solve

   Why this is right

   This highlights a difference between the highest and lowest ranking detectives, which is what we want. Does the difference explain why their success rates are equal? If you're one of the lowest-ranking detectives. you get given the cases that are easiest to solve. Does that explain why your success rate is the same as much more adept detectives? Sure. If you're given easy cases and the most talented ones are given harder cases, then it makes sense how the success rate could be similar.

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

   89%
5. E

   Explains Background1% picked this

   None of the lowest-ranking detectives in the police department had experience in solving criminal cases prior to

   This answer gives a reason why the lowest-ranking detectives are less adept (they have less experience). But it doesn't give us any way to explain the surprising fact, that these less adept detectives have the same success rate as the more adept detectives.

   1%