Flawed Parallel ReasoningDiff: Hardest
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: My change machine usually makes a noise before it works, and it can't make that noise unless it's plugged in and the power is on, so the power must usually be on.
Conclusion: The electric outlet is usually turned on.
Reasoning: The machine usually squeaks when used, and the squeak requires the outlet to be on.
Analysis: Merle's logic is a bit like saying 'Usually when I wear my raincoat, it's raining; I can only wear my raincoat if I own one; therefore, I usually own a raincoat.' The flaw is confusing the frequency of a specific event (the squeak during use) with the frequency of a necessary condition (the power being on). We don't know how often Merle uses the machine; the outlet could be off 90% of the time, and Merle just happens to use it during the 10% it's on. Look for an answer that takes a frequent occurrence of a conditional event and concludes that the condition itself is generally frequent.
Conclusion: The electric outlet is usually turned on.
Reasoning: The machine usually squeaks when used, and the squeak requires the outlet to be on.
Analysis: Merle's logic is a bit like saying 'Usually when I wear my raincoat, it's raining; I can only wear my raincoat if I own one; therefore, I usually own a raincoat.' The flaw is confusing the frequency of a specific event (the squeak during use) with the frequency of a necessary condition (the power being on). We don't know how often Merle uses the machine; the outlet could be off 90% of the time, and Merle just happens to use it during the 10% it's on. Look for an answer that takes a frequent occurrence of a conditional event and concludes that the condition itself is generally frequent.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage22.Which one of the following arguments exhibits flawed reasoning most similar to the flawed reasoning exhibited by Merle's argument?
Correct Answer
D
D matches the structure: Most readers were disturbed; disturbance cannot occur without a vivid imagination (disturbed → vivid imagination); therefore, most people have vivid imaginations. This improperly generalizes from a subset (readers) to the whole population (people), mirroring Merle’s shift from usage times to general times.
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