Necessary AssumptionDiff: Easy
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: A dog owner argues that if you live in an apartment and don't have much time to walk a dog, you should get a big one because they need less exercise to stay well-behaved compared to small dogs.
Conclusion: For apartment dwellers with limited time, a large dog is less likely to be troublesome than a small dog.
Reasoning: Large dogs require less intense exercise to stay fit than small dogs, and dogs that do not receive their required level of exercise are more likely to be troublesome.
Analysis: The argument relies on a significant gap between the general needs of dogs and the specific constraints of an apartment dweller. It assumes that the 'limited time' available is actually sufficient to meet a large dog's exercise needs, even if it isn't enough for a small one. We also have to assume there aren't other reasons why a large dog might be more 'troublesome' in a small apartment that would outweigh the exercise benefits. Look for an answer that ensures the exercise requirements of large dogs actually fit within the time constraints mentioned.
Conclusion: For apartment dwellers with limited time, a large dog is less likely to be troublesome than a small dog.
Reasoning: Large dogs require less intense exercise to stay fit than small dogs, and dogs that do not receive their required level of exercise are more likely to be troublesome.
Analysis: The argument relies on a significant gap between the general needs of dogs and the specific constraints of an apartment dweller. It assumes that the 'limited time' available is actually sufficient to meet a large dog's exercise needs, even if it isn't enough for a small one. We also have to assume there aren't other reasons why a large dog might be more 'troublesome' in a small apartment that would outweigh the exercise benefits. Look for an answer that ensures the exercise requirements of large dogs actually fit within the time constraints mentioned.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage4.Which one of the following is an assumption the dog owner's argument requires?
Correct Answer
B
B supplies the missing link: more intensive exercise requires more time. Negation test: if providing more intensive exercise does not require more time than providing less intensive exercise, limited time wouldn’t make small dogs more likely to be under-exercised, so the conclusion that large dogs are less likely to be troublesome would collapse. Therefore B is necessary.
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