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Difficulty: MediumParallel Valid Structure

The software company must either transition to a subscription model or release a major update. If the company releases a major update, it will be forced to delay the launch of its subsidiary project. However, the board of directors has guaranteed that the company will definitely not delay the launch of its subsidiary project. Therefore, the company must transition to a subscription model.

Which of the following arguments exhibits a pattern of reasoning most similar to that exhibited by the argument above?

  1. A newly classified insect species is either a pollinator or a parasite. If it is a parasite, it must possess a specialized feeding appendage. Entomologists have confirmed that this species does not possess a specialized feeding appendage. Thus, the species is a pollinator.Answer
  2. B
    The software company will either increase its marketing budget or hire more developers. If the company hires more developers, it will see a decrease in short-term profits. The company saw a decrease in short-term profits. Therefore, it did not increase its marketing budget.
  3. C
    A stranded marine mammal will either return to the ocean or require medical intervention. If it requires medical intervention, it will be transported to an aquatic sanctuary. The mammal does not require medical intervention. Therefore, it will not be transported to an aquatic sanctuary.
  4. D
    The new dietary supplement is derived from either synthetic compounds or natural herbs. Generally, if it is derived from natural herbs, it has a distinct bitter aftertaste. This supplement does not have a distinct bitter aftertaste. Therefore, it is derived from synthetic compounds.
  5. E
    A candidate for the executive board must be either an internal manager or an external consultant. If a candidate is an external consultant, they will require an extensive onboarding process. The new candidate requires an extensive onboarding process. Thus, the candidate is an external consultant.

Answer

The argument about the newly classified insect species perfectly maps the deductive structure of the original stimulus.
The original argument uses a valid deductive structure combining a disjunction (A or B) with a conditional (If B, then C) and a denial of the necessary condition (Not C). By modus tollens, we know Not B is true. Therefore, the remaining disjunct (A) must be true. The correct option identically maps this structure: it presents two possibilities for the insect species, establishes a conditional requirement for one of them, observes the absence of that requirement to eliminate it, and correctly concludes the remaining possibility.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the logical structure of the stimulus argument.
The argument establishes a disjunction (transition OR update), a conditional rule (update -> delay), and a factual premise denying the necessary condition (~delay). It concludes with the remaining disjunct (transition).
Breaking down the stimulus into formal logic is required to find an exact structural match.
2
Evaluate the deductive validity of the stimulus.
The argument is valid. It uses Modus Tollens to eliminate one possibility: since the update guarantees a delay, and there is no delay, there is no update. Thus, the company must transition.
Parallel reasoning questions require the correct answer to have the exact same level of validity as the stimulus.
3
Examine each answer choice for the identical 'Disjunction + Modus Tollens' structure.
The option discussing the insect species matches perfectly: it sets up a disjunction (pollinator OR parasite), a conditional (parasite -> appendage), denies the consequence (~appendage), and concludes the other disjunct (pollinator).
The correct answer must match the structural architecture without introducing different quantifiers or logical fallacies.

Key Concept

Parallel Valid Structure (Disjunctive Syllogism and Modus Tollens)
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Topics

Parallel Valid Structure

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