Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyParallel Valid Structure

If a plant is a healthy fern, then it thrives in high humidity. This particular houseplant does not thrive in high humidity. Therefore, this houseplant is not a healthy fern.

Which one of the following arguments is most similar in its logical structure to the argument presented above?

  1. If a building is a modern skyscraper, then it requires a deep steel foundation. The new city library does not require a deep steel foundation. Therefore, the new city library is not a modern skyscraper.Answer
  2. B
    If a plant is a desert cactus, then it thrives in dry soil. This particular houseplant thrives in dry soil. Therefore, this houseplant is a desert cactus.
  3. C
    If a recipe is an authentic traditional dish, then it calls for fresh herbs. The restaurant's signature soup calls for fresh herbs. Therefore, the signature soup is an authentic traditional dish.
  4. D
    If an employee is a senior executive, then they are assigned a private office. John is not a senior executive. Therefore, John is not assigned a private office.
  5. E
    Most modern passenger vehicles feature advanced braking systems. This specific truck does not feature advanced braking systems. Therefore, this truck is not a modern passenger vehicle.

Answer

The argument concerning the modern skyscraper and the deep steel foundation.
The correct answer precisely duplicates the valid Modus Tollens structure found in the stimulus. The stimulus establishes a conditional rule (If Healthy Fern -> High Humidity), observes the absence of the necessary condition (No High Humidity), and validly concludes the absence of the sufficient condition (Not a Healthy Fern). The correct argument mirrors this exactly: It sets a rule (If Skyscraper -> Steel Foundation), observes the absence of the necessary condition (No Steel Foundation), and concludes the absence of the sufficient condition (Not a Skyscraper).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the logical structure of the stimulus argument.
The stimulus uses a valid 'Modus Tollens' structure: Premise 1 is 'If A (fern), then B (humidity)'. Premise 2 is 'Not B (does not thrive in humidity)'. The Conclusion is 'Therefore, Not A (not a fern)'.
Identifying the formal structure of the original argument is required to find its parallel match.
2
Evaluate the options for a matching valid structure.
The option about the skyscraper states: 'If A (skyscraper), then B (steel foundation). Not B (no steel foundation). Therefore, Not A (not a skyscraper).'
This structural match perfectly duplicates the valid deduction of the stimulus.
3
Eliminate options with flawed reasoning or mismatched quantifiers.
Options exhibiting illegal reversal, illegal negation, or using 'most' instead of 'if' are eliminated, regardless of subject matter.
Parallel valid reasoning requires exact duplication of both the deductive architecture and the certainty level.

Key Concept

Parallel Valid Structure (Modus Tollens)
Rate this question

Topics

Parallel Valid Structure

More questions from this topic