Flawed ReasoningDiff: Hardest
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: The team never loses when Jennifer plays, so the coach assumes that just having her on the court makes a victory certain.
Conclusion: The presence of Jennifer in a game is a guarantee that the Eagles will win.
Reasoning: Data shows that the team has only ever lost games in which Jennifer was not playing.
Analysis: The coach is confusing a necessary condition with a sufficient one. Just because Jennifer's presence is necessary to avoid a loss (based on past data) doesn't mean her presence is enough to guarantee a win—they could still tie, or they might have just been lucky in the past. The argument ignores the possibility that other factors contributed to those wins. Look for an answer that highlights the flaw of assuming that because a condition was present during every past win, that condition itself causes or ensures future wins.
Conclusion: The presence of Jennifer in a game is a guarantee that the Eagles will win.
Reasoning: Data shows that the team has only ever lost games in which Jennifer was not playing.
Analysis: The coach is confusing a necessary condition with a sufficient one. Just because Jennifer's presence is necessary to avoid a loss (based on past data) doesn't mean her presence is enough to guarantee a win—they could still tie, or they might have just been lucky in the past. The argument ignores the possibility that other factors contributed to those wins. Look for an answer that highlights the flaw of assuming that because a condition was present during every past win, that condition itself causes or ensures future wins.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage19.The argument above is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it
Correct Answer
D
It assumes that a pattern observed in the past (no losses when Jennifer plays) will continue, treating past coincidence as a guarantee of future coincidence.
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