#18 - Vanessa: All computer code must be written by a pair

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation

Cannot Be True—Principle (same as Could Be TrueX—Principle). The correct answer choice is (D)

In this dialogue, Vanessa opens with her conclusion: that all computer code has to be co-written
by two programmers, to avoid creating programs that only a single original programmer could
understand. Jo replies that, considering the fact that the best programmers are at least 100 times more
productive than the worst, the most productive workers must be allowed to work alone.

The question stem that follows is an unusual one. The stem references consistency, the two principles
expressed by the speakers in the stimulus, and “except.” An important note on consistency: if two
statements are consistent with one another, this simply means that they are not contrary to one
another, and thus they both could be true. When “except” is added in, four of the answer choices
will be consistent with the principle expressed by the two speakers (Could Be True), and one will
not (Cannot Be True). With the principle considered, this question is thus classified as a Could Be
TrueX—Principle question, which is identical to a Cannot Be True—Principle question.

Operationally, the four incorrect answer choices in this case will be consistent with the speakers’
principles, and one will explicitly violate at least one of the rules set forth, or provide a scenario that
is contrary to at least one of the speakers’ two statements:

• I. All code must be co-written.
  
  II. The most productive programmers must be allowed to work alone.

In order to violate one of the two rules above, an answer choice will likely present a scenario in
which either some of the referenced code is not co-written, or in which some of the most productive
workers are not allowed to work alone.

Answer choice (A): This answer choice is not contrary to either of the principles discussed in the
stimulus, because the programmers are working together, staying in line with Vanessa’s directive,
and as neither Olga nor Kensuke is one of the most productive programmers they can work together
without offending Jo’s principles.

Answer choice (B): These two programmers work together in the same work station, which Vanessa
requires, and neither one is one of the most productive programmers, so Jo would not require that
either John or Tyrone work alone. Since this scenario is consistent with the principles of both
speakers from the stimulus, it cannot be the correct answer to this question.

Answer choice (C): Much like the other incorrect answer choices, the scenario presented here would
offend neither speaker’s principles. They work together, as Vanessa asserts they must, and neither
one is among the most productive programmers, so neither one needs to be left alone according to Jo. Since this choice is consistent with the principles of both speakers, it should be ruled out as a
contender in this Except question.

Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice, because it is the only one which provides
a scenario that violates one of the principles established in the stimulus. According to Jo, the
most productive programmers must be able to work alone. Regardless of the fact that Mike is also
productive, Yolanda, as the most productive programmer on the team, should be allowed to work
alone, according to Jo’s statements. Since this choice is the only one that is not consistent with the
principles expressed in the stimulus, it is the correct answer choice to this Except question.

Answer choice (E): This scenario is consistent with both Vanessa’s and Jo’s principles, because the
two programmers discussed are assigned to work together, which should make Vanessa happy, and
since neither one is among the most productive programmers, Jo would not argue that either one
needs to be left to program alone.

[Applesaid]

Hello!

I feel troubled by this question that asks us to find statements in consistence with BOTH of the principle expressed by Vanessa and with the principle expressed by Jo (I did not ignore this is also an EXCEPT question).

It seems odd for me because Vanessa's principle and Jo's principle looks contradictory against each other. One is focused on team work. The other one focuses itself on single work. Since I am not sure how to satisfy these two in the same scenario, it's hard to eliminate the incorrect answers.

Thanks!

[Jacques Lamothe]

Hey Applesaid,

The trick here is to realize that the principles expressed by Jo and Vanessa only contradict in a small number of cases, situations in which one of the team's best programmers is doing work. Jo's principle does not necessarily deny that it may be best for low productivity and average productivity programmers to work in pairs at single work stations.

That makes it much easier to eliminate incorrect answer choices. For example, answer choice (A) is consistent with both Vanessa's principle (because the two programmers work at the same work station) and Jo's principle (because even though they may feel that they work better alone, neither Olga nor Kensuke is one of the super productive programmers that Jo talks about in the stimulus). Only the correct answer choice (D) violates one of the expressed principles, because Yolanda is forced to work with another programmer despite being the most productive programmer.

I hope that makes it easier to approach this question!
Jacques