Resolve the Paradox Questions

[jwooon]

Hi, I finished reading the LRB and when I was doing a PT, I noticed a Resolve the Paradox questions that contained mostly factual information. I realized that I was eliminating all the answer choices that contained ethical or moral reasoning to Resolve the Paradox and I realized I was applying a technique that is used to solve Point at Issue questions (ie. the common incorrect answer section of PAI in LRB).

I was wondering if Resolve the Paradox questions can be solved this way since the "spirit" of the question is similar to that of PAI, or if I should only stick with this technique for PAI question.

Thanks.

[Jeff Wren]

Hi jwooon,

I'd keep the two question types and the strategies for solving them separate just to be safe.

It is true that Resolve the Paradox questions generally present two facts that almost appear to contradict each other or at least are surprising/odd that both facts would be true.

It's also true that the correct answer generally presents an additional piece of information (fact) that sheds light on the issue and explains how both of the original facts could both be true at the same time.

However, it may be possible for an answer that is ethical or moral in nature to explain a particular paradox, so I wouldn't eliminate it simply for this reason. Instead check to see whether the answer sheds light on the facts in the stimulus and allows both facts to be true.