- Thu May 12, 2016 4:23 pm
#24474
Complete Question Explanation
Flaw in the Reasoning-SN. The correct answer choice is (E)
The best way to attack a Flaw in the Reasoning question of this type is to quickly diagram the conditional relationships that structure the argument and examine any gaps in their logic:
Answer choice (A): The novelist never inferred whether authors will or will not consult grammar books; her argument was simply that grammar books are useless (whether they are consulted or not).
Answer choice (B): At first glance, this answer choice may seem attractive if only because of the confusing language used. The novelist never inferred that just because an author does not mistakenly think that a sentence is ungrammatical (i.e. she is correct to think that it’s grammatical) that the author will feel sure that it is grammatical. Since a sentence is either grammatical or not, this belief would not be incorrect.
Answer choice (C): The conclusion’s scope is limited to the usefulness of grammar books as reference sources for authors. The novelist need not consider their use as reference sources for people who are not authors.
Answer choice (D): The conclusion’s scope is limited to whether grammar books are useful as reference sources. The novelist need not consider whether they can have any other uses beyond the one discussed.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. See discussion above.
Flaw in the Reasoning-SN. The correct answer choice is (E)
The best way to attack a Flaw in the Reasoning question of this type is to quickly diagram the conditional relationships that structure the argument and examine any gaps in their logic:
- Premise (1): Belief a sentence is ungrammatical → Not write it down
Premise (2): Not write it down → No need to use a grammar book
Premise (3): Belief a sentence is grammatical → No need to use a grammar book
Conclusion: Grammar books are useless
Answer choice (A): The novelist never inferred whether authors will or will not consult grammar books; her argument was simply that grammar books are useless (whether they are consulted or not).
Answer choice (B): At first glance, this answer choice may seem attractive if only because of the confusing language used. The novelist never inferred that just because an author does not mistakenly think that a sentence is ungrammatical (i.e. she is correct to think that it’s grammatical) that the author will feel sure that it is grammatical. Since a sentence is either grammatical or not, this belief would not be incorrect.
Answer choice (C): The conclusion’s scope is limited to the usefulness of grammar books as reference sources for authors. The novelist need not consider their use as reference sources for people who are not authors.
Answer choice (D): The conclusion’s scope is limited to whether grammar books are useful as reference sources. The novelist need not consider whether they can have any other uses beyond the one discussed.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. See discussion above.