Parallel ReasoningDiff: Hard
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: Only two people could have leaked a secret; one wanted to and the other didn't care to, so the one who wanted to must have done it.
Conclusion: Keeler must be the one who contacted the press.
Reasoning: There were only two possible suspects (Keeler and Greene); one had a motive and the other did not, so the one with the motive must be the culprit.
Analysis: The structure here is an 'Elimination of Alternatives' argument. It establishes a limited set of possibilities (A or B), provides a reason to rule out B (no motive), and concludes A must be the case. To find a parallel, look for an argument that identifies two (and only two) potential causes or actors, dismisses one based on a lack of incentive or ability, and settles on the remaining one. The logic is essentially: 'It had to be one of them, and it wasn't him, so it was her.'
Conclusion: Keeler must be the one who contacted the press.
Reasoning: There were only two possible suspects (Keeler and Greene); one had a motive and the other did not, so the one with the motive must be the culprit.
Analysis: The structure here is an 'Elimination of Alternatives' argument. It establishes a limited set of possibilities (A or B), provides a reason to rule out B (no motive), and concludes A must be the case. To find a parallel, look for an argument that identifies two (and only two) potential causes or actors, dismisses one based on a lack of incentive or ability, and settles on the remaining one. The logic is essentially: 'It had to be one of them, and it wasn't him, so it was her.'
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage25.Which one of the following arguments is most closely parallel in its reasoning to the argument above?
Correct Answer
C
C mirrors the structure exactly: only Helms and Lapinski had access on the relevant day (opportunity restricted to two people); Helms had a reason to tamper, Lapinski did not (motive vs. no motive); therefore, it must have been Helms who did it. Same pattern and strength of conclusion.
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