Flawed ReasoningDiff: Easy
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: Tour de France winners are physically unique, usually having huge lungs and strong hearts. Last year's winner didn't have a strong heart, so the author concludes he must have the huge lungs instead.
Conclusion: The winner of last year's Tour de France must possess exceptional lung capacity.
Reasoning: All winners of this race have abnormal physiological traits, typically including exceptional lung capacity and powerful hearts; however, last year's winner was found not to have an exceptionally powerful heart.
Analysis: The argument assumes that because the winner lacks one 'typical' abnormal trait, he must possess the other one mentioned. This is a classic false dilemma; the author overlooks the possibility that the cyclist's 'abnormal physiology' could manifest in a third, unmentioned way. Look for an answer that points out the cyclist could be abnormal in some other way that doesn't involve a powerful heart or exceptional lungs.
Conclusion: The winner of last year's Tour de France must possess exceptional lung capacity.
Reasoning: All winners of this race have abnormal physiological traits, typically including exceptional lung capacity and powerful hearts; however, last year's winner was found not to have an exceptionally powerful heart.
Analysis: The argument assumes that because the winner lacks one 'typical' abnormal trait, he must possess the other one mentioned. This is a classic false dilemma; the author overlooks the possibility that the cyclist's 'abnormal physiology' could manifest in a third, unmentioned way. Look for an answer that points out the cyclist could be abnormal in some other way that doesn't involve a powerful heart or exceptional lungs.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage19.The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it overlooks the possibility that
Correct Answer
B
B highlights exactly what the argument overlooks: some winners might have abnormal traits other than exceptional lungs or powerful hearts. If so, lacking a powerful heart doesn’t imply the winner must have exceptional lungs.
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