strengthen-principle questions

[rachue]

HI,

I was wondering if there is a rule for looking for the ACs here. For example, if there is conditionality in the stimulus, should we look for an AC that uses conditionality, as well? If so, will it follow that way 100% of the time?

Thanks in advance.

[Nikki Siclunov]

In short: it depends. In Strengthen-PR questions, the correct answer provides a broad premise that can be added to the argument to help prove the conclusion. Because conditional reasoning can be used to establish a link between the premises and the conclusion of the argument, and principles are (generally speaking) conditional statements, such principles frequently do contain conditional language.

However, there are instances of Strengthen-PR stimuli whose conclusion can be strengthened by a principle that does not necessarily contain conditional reasoning. So even though it's safe to say that the majority of such questions will contain principles that are conditional in nature, do not assume this to be true 100% of the time.

[rachue]

OK, good to know. I was thinking more in terms of if there is conditionality in the stimulus, if it would for sure match up as the correct answer choice. Is that true or does it depend?

[Nikki Siclunov]

More often than not, yes: conditional reasoning in the stimulus + Strengthen-PR question = conditional reasoning in the AC.

[rachue]

OK, many thanks!