Flawed ReasoningDiff: Easy
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: Since we used to think chocolate and olive oil were bad for us but now think they're good, it's only a matter of time before every food is labeled a health food.
Conclusion: Eventually, almost every food will be reported as having health benefits if we wait long enough.
Reasoning: Chocolate and oily foods like olive oil were once thought to be unhealthy but are now considered to have health benefits.
Analysis: The author is guilty of a massive overgeneralization based on a very small sample size. Just because scientific consensus shifted on two specific items—chocolate and olive oil—doesn't mean it will eventually shift for every other food, like deep-fried butter or lead paint. It’s a bit like seeing two people win the lottery and concluding that everyone will eventually be a millionaire if they just live long enough. Look for an answer choice that identifies this jump from a few specific cases to a universal rule.
Conclusion: Eventually, almost every food will be reported as having health benefits if we wait long enough.
Reasoning: Chocolate and oily foods like olive oil were once thought to be unhealthy but are now considered to have health benefits.
Analysis: The author is guilty of a massive overgeneralization based on a very small sample size. Just because scientific consensus shifted on two specific items—chocolate and olive oil—doesn't mean it will eventually shift for every other food, like deep-fried butter or lead paint. It’s a bit like seeing two people win the lottery and concluding that everyone will eventually be a millionaire if they just live long enough. Look for an answer choice that identifies this jump from a few specific cases to a universal rule.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage7.The reasoning in the argument is flawed in that the argument
Correct Answer
C
It correctly identifies a hasty generalization: moving from two examples to the sweeping claim that almost any food will eventually be reported to be healthful.
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