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- Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:00 am
#72937
Complete Question Explanation
Strengthen-Principle. The correct answer choice is (E).
We are presented with a conditional Principle (note the use of the phrase "only if" in the rule), and an application of that rule. The principle can be diagrammed as follows:
BEA (Buy Expensive Antique)
CA (Confident of Authenticity) AND FPDIQ (Find Piece Desirable for Intrinsic Qualities)
In the application of the principle, we are told that Matilde should NOT buy the expensive antique, or:
BEAMatilde
In order to strengthen the application of the principle (and be aware that this is a Strengthen, not a Justify question, because the word "justify" in the stem is preceded by the qualifying phrase "most helps"), where the author has concluded that the Sufficient Condition should not occur, we want an answer that shows that a Necessary Condition may not have occurred. In this case, since there are two necessary conditions (CA AND FPDIQ), we need only show that one of those two may not have occurred. It will suffice to show that either Matilde cannot be confident in the authenticity of the piece, or that she does not find it desirable for its intrinsic qualities.
Answer choice (A): This answer indicates that Matilde might be confident about the authenticity of the piece due to her expertise. That's the opposite of what we were looking for, and is therefore a loser.
Answer choice (B): This answer suggests that Matilde is interested in the piece at least partially due to its value as an investment, but that does not mean that she does not also find it desirable for its intrinsic qualities. There is also nothing in this answer to suggest that she cannot be confident in its authenticity. The necessary conditions have not been questioned, so this does nothing to support the conclusion.
Answer choice (C): This answer indicates that Matilde does find the piece desirable for its intrinsic qualities, and it tells us nothing about her confidence in its authenticity, but only that the seller is willing to provide some evidence of that.
Answer choice (D): Don't read too much into this answer! Just because Matilde thinks the piece is under-priced does NOT mean that she is unsure about its authenticity. She might be confident, and very excited about the bargain she is about to get on something she finds desirable for its intrinsic qualities!
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. This answer indicates that although Matilde does find the piece desirable for its intrinsic qualities, she cannot be confident in its authenticity. That triggers the contrapositive and strengthens (and does so enough to justify) the conclusion that she should not buy the piece.
Strengthen-Principle. The correct answer choice is (E).
We are presented with a conditional Principle (note the use of the phrase "only if" in the rule), and an application of that rule. The principle can be diagrammed as follows:
BEA (Buy Expensive Antique)
CA (Confident of Authenticity) AND FPDIQ (Find Piece Desirable for Intrinsic Qualities)In the application of the principle, we are told that Matilde should NOT buy the expensive antique, or:
BEAMatilde
In order to strengthen the application of the principle (and be aware that this is a Strengthen, not a Justify question, because the word "justify" in the stem is preceded by the qualifying phrase "most helps"), where the author has concluded that the Sufficient Condition should not occur, we want an answer that shows that a Necessary Condition may not have occurred. In this case, since there are two necessary conditions (CA AND FPDIQ), we need only show that one of those two may not have occurred. It will suffice to show that either Matilde cannot be confident in the authenticity of the piece, or that she does not find it desirable for its intrinsic qualities.
Answer choice (A): This answer indicates that Matilde might be confident about the authenticity of the piece due to her expertise. That's the opposite of what we were looking for, and is therefore a loser.
Answer choice (B): This answer suggests that Matilde is interested in the piece at least partially due to its value as an investment, but that does not mean that she does not also find it desirable for its intrinsic qualities. There is also nothing in this answer to suggest that she cannot be confident in its authenticity. The necessary conditions have not been questioned, so this does nothing to support the conclusion.
Answer choice (C): This answer indicates that Matilde does find the piece desirable for its intrinsic qualities, and it tells us nothing about her confidence in its authenticity, but only that the seller is willing to provide some evidence of that.
Answer choice (D): Don't read too much into this answer! Just because Matilde thinks the piece is under-priced does NOT mean that she is unsure about its authenticity. She might be confident, and very excited about the bargain she is about to get on something she finds desirable for its intrinsic qualities!
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. This answer indicates that although Matilde does find the piece desirable for its intrinsic qualities, she cannot be confident in its authenticity. That triggers the contrapositive and strengthens (and does so enough to justify) the conclusion that she should not buy the piece.