Logical Reasoning

PT9 · S4 · Q8 A translation invariably reflects

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A translation invariably reflects the writing style of the translator.

Conclusion

For long documents that need to be translated quickly, computer translation programs are better than human translators.

Evidence

Multi-translator human jobs produce stylistically inconsistent results. Computer programs are faster, produce stylistically uniform translations, and have an 80% accuracy rate.

Question Stem (special)

This is a LEAST Evaluate question. Four answers will raise issues that matter to the argument. The correct answer is the one that does not matter.

Evaluate

The argument's key contrasts are: stylistic uniformity (computer wins) and accuracy (computer at 80%, humans at unknown rate). Important issues to resolve include: whether the human stylistic problem is fixable with guidelines, whether 80% accuracy is enough for users' needs, whether the 80% errors are catastrophic, and whether numerical accuracy comparisons are even meaningful.

Goal

Find the answer that has no real bearing on whether computers beat humans here. The argument already says computers produce a uniform translation, so whether each program has its own distinct style does not affect the outcome of using a single program for the job.

8.

Which one of the following issues would be LEAST important to resolve in evaluating the argument?

  1. whether the problem of stylistic

    Opposite

    This issue does matter, so it is the wrong answer for a LEAST question. If giving stylistic guidelines could fix the human-translator inconsistency problem, then one of the author's main reasons to prefer computers (uniform style) loses its bite. Resolving this question affects the argument — exactly the opposite of what we want.

    18% picked this

  2. whether numerical comparisons of the

    Opposite

    This issue does matter. The argument cites an 80% accuracy rate for computers as a key piece of evidence. If numerical accuracy comparisons cannot reasonably be made between methods (or even meaningfully described), the 80% number is meaningless and the entire accuracy claim falls apart. Resolving this affects the argument, so it is the opposite of what a LEAST question wants.

    20% picked this

  3. Correct

    whether computer translation programs, like

    Why this is right

    This is the issue that does not matter. The argument is about using a single computer program for one long document, and the stimulus already states that the computer produces a "stylistically uniform translation." Whether different computer programs each have their own distinct style is irrelevant — only one program is doing the job, so its output will be uniform regardless of how it compares to other programs' styles. This question can be answered either way without affecting the argument. That is what makes it the LEAST important.

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

    58% picked this

  4. whether the computer translation contains

    Opposite

    This issue does matter. An 80% accuracy rate could mean small typos in 20% of sentences, or it could mean the translation occasionally completely mistranslates critical passages. Catastrophic errors would make computer translation unsuitable for serious documents — undercutting the argument's recommendation. Resolving this question is highly important, which makes it the wrong answer for a LEAST question.

    2% picked this

  5. how the accuracy rate of

    Opposite

    This issue does matter. The argument cites an 80% accuracy rate for computers but never tells us how accurate human translators are or what level of accuracy users actually need. If humans translate at 95% and users need >90%, computers are inadequate; if humans translate at 60% and users need 70%+, computers win. Resolving this comparison is essential to the argument, so it is the opposite of what a LEAST question wants.

    3% picked this

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