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Difficulty: MediumParallel Quantifier Logic

Most of the residential buildings in the downtown district were constructed before 1950. Furthermore, every building constructed before 1950 features cast-iron plumbing. Therefore, it must be true that most of the residential buildings in the downtown district feature cast-iron plumbing.

Which one of the following arguments exhibits a pattern of reasoning that is most parallel to that in the argument above?

  1. A
    Most of the bakery's signature cakes contain almonds. Most foods containing almonds are dangerous to people with nut allergies. So, most of the bakery's signature cakes are dangerous to people with nut allergies.
  2. B
    Every employee at the agency receives annual compliance training. Most people who receive annual compliance training find it incredibly tedious. Hence, most employees at the agency find the training incredibly tedious.
  3. Most of the senators on the committee voted for the amendment. Anyone who voted for the amendment is considered an ally of the governor. Thus, most of the senators on the committee are considered allies of the governor.Answer
  4. D
    Some of the migratory birds arriving this season are visibly malnourished. Every visibly malnourished bird requires immediate veterinary care. Consequently, some of the migratory birds arriving this season require immediate veterinary care.
  5. E
    Most of the vintage cars at the auction are convertibles. Every vintage car at the auction has been fully restored. Therefore, most of the convertibles at the auction have been fully restored.

Answer

The argument about the senators on the committee voting for the amendment correctly parallels the stimulus by combining a 'most' premise and an 'all' premise to reach a valid 'most' conclusion.
The correct answer accurately mirrors the logical structure of the stimulus: Most A (senators on the committee) are B (voted for the amendment). All B (anyone who voted for the amendment) are C (ally of the governor). Therefore, Most A are C (allies of the governor).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the logical structure of the stimulus argument.
Premise 1: Most A are B. Premise 2: All B are C. Conclusion: Therefore, Most A are C.
To find a parallel argument, you must first accurately map the quantifiers and their relationship in the original text.
2
Evaluate the logical validity of the original argument.
The argument is logically valid. Since most A's fall into the category of B, and every single B falls into the category of C, those A's must logically also fall into C.
A parallel argument must match both the quantifier distribution and the structural validity (valid vs. flawed) of the stimulus.
3
Examine each answer choice for matching quantifier structure and term relationships.
The correct choice must follow the exact 'Most A are B. All B are C. -> Most A are C.' pattern.
Eliminating choices that use 'some' instead of 'most', or that misalign the subjects and conditions, ensures an exact structural match.

Key Concept

Parallel Quantifier Logic
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Topics

Parallel Quantifier Logic

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