Logical Reasoning

PT21 · S3 · Q22 Anatomical bilateral symmetry is

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Anatomical bilateral symmetry is a common trait.

Conclusion

Anatomical bilateral symmetry (ABS) confers survival advantages on organisms.

Evidence

If ABS didn't confer survival advantages, it would not be common. ABS is common.

Evaluate / Goal

This argument has a very classic contrapositive argument structure: Prem 1: X → Y Prem 2: ~Y. Conc: ~X

22.

The pattern of reasoning in which one of the following arguments is most similar to that in the argument above?

  1. Since it is Sawyer who

    Bad Premise/Conclusion Match

    This provides a conditional premise, S wasn't available ? negotiations deferred So the other premise should trigger the contrapositive, by saying the opposite of the outcome: but the negotiations were not deferred Instead, the other premise said the opposite of the trigger: but S was available. We don't need any more reason to get rid of this one, but the Conclusion also happens to be bad, since it brings in a brand new concept (takes matter seriously) that was never even discussed in the premises.

    20% picked this

  2. Clearly, no candidate is better

    Bad Premise Match

    This only has one premise (the original argument had two), so it really doesn't even get off the ground.

    1% picked this

  3. Correct

    If Powell lacked superior negotiating

    Why this is right

    This provides a conditional premise, P lacked great ? wouldn't have been negotiating skills appointed arbitrator So the other premise should trigger the contrapositive, by saying the opposite of the outcome: P was appointed arbitrator. It does. So now the conclusion should be saying the opposite of the trigger: P does have superior negotiating skills. It does.

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

    64% picked this

  4. Since Varga was away on

    Bad Premise/Conclusion Match

    This provides a conditional premise, V is available ? R doesn't do negotiating So the other premise should trigger the contrapositive, by saying the opposite of the outcome: R does do negotiating Instead, that idea is found in the Conclusion. And the second premise says the opposite of the trigger: V was not available (he was on vacation)

    9% picked this

  5. If Wong is appointed arbitrator,

    Bad Premise/Conclusion Match

    This provides a conditional premise, W appointed arbitrator ? decision reached soon So the other premise should trigger the contrapositive, by saying the opposite of the outcome: but the decision will not be reached soon Instead, that idea shows up as the conclusion, and the other premise just affirms the trigger.

    6% picked this

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