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- Fri Apr 05, 2019 7:00 pm
#63922
Complete Question Explanation
Parallel Reasoning—PR. The correct answer choice is (D)
The question that follows requires us to find the answer choice that reflects the same general
principle. In basic terms, the psychologist’s argument is that sometimes, the harder we try to attain
something, the more elusive it becomes, so the best solution is to change your focus. The correct
answer choice should illustrate a similar principle.
Answer choice (A): The principle here is different from the one expressed in the stimulus. In this
choice, the basic principle is that wealth and fame do not necessarily bring happiness, as evidenced
by the existence of wealthy and famous people who are unhappy. This lacks the principle that “the
harder you try, the more elusive your goal often becomes.”
(As an aside, we might also note that this choice presents a fairly weak assertion; the fact that “there
are” unhappy people who have both wealth and fame means only that at least one such person
exists.)
Answer choice (B): Many parallel reasoning questions are followed by wrong answers that involve
a similar topic, as is the case here. This choice deals with “not thinking about something,” but
the principle here involves avoidance of discouragement, which is not part of the psychologist’s
principle.
Answer choice (C): Whereas the principle in the stimulus concerns the best way to achieve a desired
outcome, this choice deals with the best way to overcome a serious problem. These are very different
principles.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice, as it is the one which reflects the same
basic principle as the stimulus. While the psychologist in the stimulus discusses memory, this answer
choice involves sleep, but the general principle common to both is that sometimes, the best way to
achieve something, whether sleep or recall, is to focus your attention elsewhere.
Answer choice (E): The principle presented in the stimulus is that often the best way to achieve
a desired outcome is to focus elsewhere. This choice says that the best way to achieve the goal of
coping with sadness is to focus on even greater sadness.
Parallel Reasoning—PR. The correct answer choice is (D)
The question that follows requires us to find the answer choice that reflects the same general
principle. In basic terms, the psychologist’s argument is that sometimes, the harder we try to attain
something, the more elusive it becomes, so the best solution is to change your focus. The correct
answer choice should illustrate a similar principle.
Answer choice (A): The principle here is different from the one expressed in the stimulus. In this
choice, the basic principle is that wealth and fame do not necessarily bring happiness, as evidenced
by the existence of wealthy and famous people who are unhappy. This lacks the principle that “the
harder you try, the more elusive your goal often becomes.”
(As an aside, we might also note that this choice presents a fairly weak assertion; the fact that “there
are” unhappy people who have both wealth and fame means only that at least one such person
exists.)
Answer choice (B): Many parallel reasoning questions are followed by wrong answers that involve
a similar topic, as is the case here. This choice deals with “not thinking about something,” but
the principle here involves avoidance of discouragement, which is not part of the psychologist’s
principle.
Answer choice (C): Whereas the principle in the stimulus concerns the best way to achieve a desired
outcome, this choice deals with the best way to overcome a serious problem. These are very different
principles.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice, as it is the one which reflects the same
basic principle as the stimulus. While the psychologist in the stimulus discusses memory, this answer
choice involves sleep, but the general principle common to both is that sometimes, the best way to
achieve something, whether sleep or recall, is to focus your attention elsewhere.
Answer choice (E): The principle presented in the stimulus is that often the best way to achieve
a desired outcome is to focus elsewhere. This choice says that the best way to achieve the goal of
coping with sadness is to focus on even greater sadness.