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- Sat Feb 21, 2015 12:00 am
#33529
Complete Question Explanation
Flaw in the Reasoning—SN. The correct answer choice is (E)
The author of this stimulus presents a number of conditional statements, and draws a flawed conditional conclusion.
First, if the circulation of the martial arts magazine under discussion continues to increase as much as it has over the past ten years, in a decade it will be the best selling martial arts magazine in the world:
Thus, the author concludes, in ten years from now, the magazine will not be the best selling martial arts magazine:
Answer choice (A): The author does not conclude that no other changes are needed; rather, the author concludes that if the company cannot match its growth of the past ten years, becoming the best selling martial arts magazine in the world is impossible.
Answer choice (B): The author does not equate a reduced rate of increase with a decline; rather, the author concludes that a reduced rate of increase would preclude it’s becoming the best selling martial arts magazine in ten years’ time.
Answer choice (C): This incorrect answer choice describes circular reasoning, which is not the conditional reasoning flaw manifest in the stimulus.
Answer choice (D): This choice describes drawing an unwarranted conclusion on a single incompatibility. This is not the author’s flaw, which, as discussed, is a Mistaken Negation, so this choice should be ruled out of contention.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice, as it describes the Mistaken Negation reflected in the stimulus. Based on the fact that continuing to increase the circulation at the same rate would be sufficient to make the magazine the best selling in the world, the author concludes that such an increase is necessary (note that although this choice does not include the term “necessary,” it does include the synonymous term “required”).
Flaw in the Reasoning—SN. The correct answer choice is (E)
The author of this stimulus presents a number of conditional statements, and draws a flawed conditional conclusion.
First, if the circulation of the martial arts magazine under discussion continues to increase as much as it has over the past ten years, in a decade it will be the best selling martial arts magazine in the world:
- Premise (1):
Circ. increase at same rate 
Best-selling magazine
- Premise (2): Editor make changes Circ. increase at same rate
Thus, the author concludes, in ten years from now, the magazine will not be the best selling martial arts magazine:
- Conclusion: Best-selling magazine
Answer choice (A): The author does not conclude that no other changes are needed; rather, the author concludes that if the company cannot match its growth of the past ten years, becoming the best selling martial arts magazine in the world is impossible.
Answer choice (B): The author does not equate a reduced rate of increase with a decline; rather, the author concludes that a reduced rate of increase would preclude it’s becoming the best selling martial arts magazine in ten years’ time.
Answer choice (C): This incorrect answer choice describes circular reasoning, which is not the conditional reasoning flaw manifest in the stimulus.
Answer choice (D): This choice describes drawing an unwarranted conclusion on a single incompatibility. This is not the author’s flaw, which, as discussed, is a Mistaken Negation, so this choice should be ruled out of contention.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice, as it describes the Mistaken Negation reflected in the stimulus. Based on the fact that continuing to increase the circulation at the same rate would be sufficient to make the magazine the best selling in the world, the author concludes that such an increase is necessary (note that although this choice does not include the term “necessary,” it does include the synonymous term “required”).
