LR Problem Set #1 supplement question 23

[lorein21]

this question is a parallel with s/n

I don't understand how it can be answer A when it only proves she sneezed once and the necessary condition occurs when she doesnt stop sneezing How can it parallel to the example given in the stimulus.


Thank You!
Lorein

[Nikki Siclunov]

The stimulus can be diagrammed as follows:

Premise 1: Bee --> Sting Once

Premise 2: Sting Once

Conclusion: Bee

Clearly, the argument contains a Mistaken Reversal. Answer choice (A) contains the same flaw in the reasoning:

Premise 1: Spring --> Sneeze

Premise 2: Sneeze

Conclusion: Spring

The distinction between "non-stop sneezing" and "sneezing once" is immaterial: answer choice (A) is the closest to a Mistaken Reversal we have among the five answer choices. You're correct that it's not exactly the same as the stimulus, but it's the best answer we have. Also, it does not matter that the order in which the premises/conclusion are presented in answer choice (A) is different from the stimulus: this is a common psychometric trick. The order of presentation does not alter the structure of the argument.