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- Sat Jan 21, 2012 12:00 am
#35032
Complete Question Explanation
Parallel Reasoning—PR. The correct answer choice is (A)
Your task in this Parallel Reasoning question is to select the answer choice that presents an argument
conforming most closely to the principle relied on by Evan in reaching his conclusion that we should
not eat seafood. Evan’s argument proceeded:
Premise: I believe it is immoral to inflict pain on animals to obtain food
Premise: some who share this view nonetheless consume seafood, on the grounds that it
is not known whether certain sea creatures can experience pleasure or pain
Premise: but, if it is truly wrong to inflict needless suffering, we should extend the
benefit of the doubt to sea animals
Conclusion: thus, we should refrain from eating seafood
The correct answer choice in this Parallel Reasoning question will contain an application of the
principle applied by Evan in his argument. Stated in the abstract, the principle Evan applied was
that if it is uncertain whether the desired result will be achieved (i.e., prevent the infliction of pain
on animals to obtain food), then it is better to err on the side of ensuring the result is achieved (i.e.,
don’t eat seafood despite uncertainty concerning whether sea creatures can experience pain).
The incorrect answers will contain an argument that does not apply this principle to reach its
conclusion.
Answer choice (A): This is the correct answer choice. This choice is correct because the speaker
is uncertain whether he has repaid Farah the money she lent him for a movie ticket. Despite Farah’s
inability to remember whether the debt is still owed, the speaker concludes he should ensure the debt
has been repaid by paying her now.
Answer choice (B): This argument does not apply a principle concerning what to do in the presence
of uncertainty. Instead, the conclusion merely expresses what state of affairs should be expected.
Answer choice (C): The principle applied here is that an action should not be taken if it would result
in the region’s economy becoming less stable.
Answer choice (D): The rule applied in this argument does not pertain to deciding what action
should be taken. Rather, it merely describes a possible set of circumstances.
Answer choice (E): This choice also fails to apply a rule to conclude whether a certain action should
be taken. Instead, the author infers that since Allende’s characters are hopeful and full of juy, then
Allende’s own view of life has not been negatively marked by her experiences.
Parallel Reasoning—PR. The correct answer choice is (A)
Your task in this Parallel Reasoning question is to select the answer choice that presents an argument
conforming most closely to the principle relied on by Evan in reaching his conclusion that we should
not eat seafood. Evan’s argument proceeded:
Premise: I believe it is immoral to inflict pain on animals to obtain food Premise: some who share this view nonetheless consume seafood, on the grounds that it is not known whether certain sea creatures can experience pleasure or pain Premise: but, if it is truly wrong to inflict needless suffering, we should extend the benefit of the doubt to sea animals Conclusion: thus, we should refrain from eating seafoodThe correct answer choice in this Parallel Reasoning question will contain an application of the
principle applied by Evan in his argument. Stated in the abstract, the principle Evan applied was
that if it is uncertain whether the desired result will be achieved (i.e., prevent the infliction of pain
on animals to obtain food), then it is better to err on the side of ensuring the result is achieved (i.e.,
don’t eat seafood despite uncertainty concerning whether sea creatures can experience pain).
The incorrect answers will contain an argument that does not apply this principle to reach its
conclusion.
Answer choice (A): This is the correct answer choice. This choice is correct because the speaker
is uncertain whether he has repaid Farah the money she lent him for a movie ticket. Despite Farah’s
inability to remember whether the debt is still owed, the speaker concludes he should ensure the debt
has been repaid by paying her now.
Answer choice (B): This argument does not apply a principle concerning what to do in the presence
of uncertainty. Instead, the conclusion merely expresses what state of affairs should be expected.
Answer choice (C): The principle applied here is that an action should not be taken if it would result
in the region’s economy becoming less stable.
Answer choice (D): The rule applied in this argument does not pertain to deciding what action
should be taken. Rather, it merely describes a possible set of circumstances.
Answer choice (E): This choice also fails to apply a rule to conclude whether a certain action should
be taken. Instead, the author infers that since Allende’s characters are hopeful and full of juy, then
Allende’s own view of life has not been negatively marked by her experiences.
