Parallel ReasoningDiff: Hard
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: Some people think there is life in space. If you think that, you can't also think every other planet is empty. Therefore, there are people who don't think every other planet is empty.
Conclusion: Some people do not believe that every planet other than Earth is empty of life.
Reasoning: There are people who believe in extraterrestrial life, and it is logically impossible for those same people to believe that all other planets are devoid of life.
Analysis: The argument follows a valid 'Some' syllogism: Some A are B; all B are Not C; therefore, some A are Not C. Specifically, 'Some people (A) are believers in ET life (B),' and 'Believers in ET life (B) cannot be people who believe all other planets are empty (C).' The conclusion correctly identifies that this 'Some' group exists. To find the parallel, look for an answer choice that establishes a 'some' group, applies a rule that excludes them from a second group, and concludes that some members of the first group are not in the second.
Conclusion: Some people do not believe that every planet other than Earth is empty of life.
Reasoning: There are people who believe in extraterrestrial life, and it is logically impossible for those same people to believe that all other planets are devoid of life.
Analysis: The argument follows a valid 'Some' syllogism: Some A are B; all B are Not C; therefore, some A are Not C. Specifically, 'Some people (A) are believers in ET life (B),' and 'Believers in ET life (B) cannot be people who believe all other planets are empty (C).' The conclusion correctly identifies that this 'Some' group exists. To find the parallel, look for an answer choice that establishes a 'some' group, applies a rule that excludes them from a second group, and concludes that some members of the first group are not in the second.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage23.The reasoning in which one of the following is most similar to the reasoning in the argument above?
Correct Answer
C
It matches exactly: Some dog owners believe P (dogs are emotionally attached). No one could believe P and also believe Q (dogs are incapable of thought). Therefore, some dog owners do not believe Q. Same quantifier, same belief-level incompatibility, same type of conclusion.
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