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- Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:00 am
#26222
Complete Question Explanation
Method of Reasoning. The correct answer choice is (C)
The question here asks you to describe the comparison utilized by the argument. The comparison here is an analogy between laws and manners. The argument claims that laws are successful primarily because the behavior they prescribe becomes custom just as manners are observed primarily because of repetition. “Custom” and “repetition” are synonymous terms here, and so the argument claims that both laws and manners are successful primarily because of custom.
Answer Choice (A): The stimulus never states that laws or manners vary from society to society. This answer choice is tempting since this statement might be true in the real world. However, the correct answer choice must accurately describe the analogy in the stimulus.
Answer Choice (B): This answer choice is very close, but ultimately incorrect. Custom is the primary reason why laws are obeyed and why manners are followed but it is not the primary reason why laws and manners are adopted. The argument never explained why laws or manners are adopted.
Answer Choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. This answer choice states that the main reason people comply with laws and manners is custom. This is an accurate restatement of the analogy in the stimulus.
Answer Choice (D): The word “most” eliminates this answer choice. The author never claimed that most laws and manners do not prescribe ethically required behavior. The argument merely stated that laws and manners are successful because the behavior they prescribe becomes customary, not because the behavior is ethically required.
Answer Choice (E): Once again, the word “most” eliminates this answer choice. The author never claimed that most laws and manners lack strict penalties for those who violate them. The author only states that penalties are not the reason why laws and manners are followed.
Method of Reasoning. The correct answer choice is (C)
The question here asks you to describe the comparison utilized by the argument. The comparison here is an analogy between laws and manners. The argument claims that laws are successful primarily because the behavior they prescribe becomes custom just as manners are observed primarily because of repetition. “Custom” and “repetition” are synonymous terms here, and so the argument claims that both laws and manners are successful primarily because of custom.
Answer Choice (A): The stimulus never states that laws or manners vary from society to society. This answer choice is tempting since this statement might be true in the real world. However, the correct answer choice must accurately describe the analogy in the stimulus.
Answer Choice (B): This answer choice is very close, but ultimately incorrect. Custom is the primary reason why laws are obeyed and why manners are followed but it is not the primary reason why laws and manners are adopted. The argument never explained why laws or manners are adopted.
Answer Choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. This answer choice states that the main reason people comply with laws and manners is custom. This is an accurate restatement of the analogy in the stimulus.
Answer Choice (D): The word “most” eliminates this answer choice. The author never claimed that most laws and manners do not prescribe ethically required behavior. The argument merely stated that laws and manners are successful because the behavior they prescribe becomes customary, not because the behavior is ethically required.
Answer Choice (E): Once again, the word “most” eliminates this answer choice. The author never claimed that most laws and manners lack strict penalties for those who violate them. The author only states that penalties are not the reason why laws and manners are followed.