Flawed ReasoningDiff: Medium

Logic Breakdown

Passage Summary: A farmer argues that his pesticides aren't leaking onto his neighbor's property because the chemicals are organic and he doesn't spray them directly on her side of the fence.

Conclusion: The neighbor is incorrect in claiming that pesticides are spreading to her farm via runoff water.

Reasoning: The pesticides used are organic and harmless to animals and humans, and the farmer is careful not to spray them directly on the neighbor's land.

Analysis: The farmer's argument is a classic 'red herring' or 'ignoring the issue' flaw. The neighbor's specific concern is about the *movement* of the pesticides through runoff water, but the farmer defends himself by talking about the *safety* of the chemicals and where he *sprays* them. Even if a pesticide is organic and not sprayed on the neighbor's land, it can still wash onto her property via runoff. Look for an answer that points out the farmer's failure to address the actual mechanism of the runoff.

Passage Stimulus

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21.

Which one of the following most accurately describes a reasoning flaw in the farmer's argument?

Correct Answer
C
C is correct because the farmer never addresses whether his pesticides are spreading in runoff. Talking about organic status, lack of evidence of harm to people/animals, and being careful not to spray directly does not answer the neighbor’s allegation about runoff spread.
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