Examkin

Question

Difficulty: Very hardParallel Quantifier Logic

Most of the ancient manuscripts discovered in the desert caves were written on parchment. However, none of the documents translated by Dr. Vance were written on parchment. It follows that most of the ancient manuscripts discovered in the desert caves were not translated by Dr. Vance.

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

  1. Most multinational corporations have implemented strict internal privacy protocols. No start-up tech companies have implemented strict internal privacy protocols. Thus, most multinational corporations are not start-up tech companies.Answer
  2. B
    Most local bakeries source their flour from regional mills. No national grocery chains source their flour from regional mills. Consequently, most national grocery chains are not local bakeries.
  3. C
    Some deep-sea creatures rely on bioluminescence to attract prey. No freshwater fish rely on bioluminescence to attract prey. As a result, some deep-sea creatures are not freshwater fish.
  4. D
    All certified organic farms avoid the use of synthetic pesticides. Most urban community gardens do not avoid the use of synthetic pesticides. Hence, most urban community gardens are not certified organic farms.
  5. E
    Most registered voters support the new municipal tax initiative. No foreign diplomats residing in the city are registered voters. Therefore, most foreign diplomats do not support the new municipal tax initiative.

Answer

The argument about multinational corporations and start-up tech companies perfectly parallels the logical structure of the stimulus.
The correct answer exactly mirrors the formal logic of the stimulus. It sets up a 'Most X are Y' relationship (Most multinational corporations have strict protocols) and a 'No Z are Y' relationship (No start-up tech companies have strict protocols), leading to the valid deduction 'Therefore, most X are not Z' (most multinational corporations are not start-up tech companies).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the logical structure of the stimulus.
Premise 1: Most A (manuscripts) are B (on parchment). Premise 2: No C (translated by Vance) are B (on parchment). Conclusion: Most A (manuscripts) are not C (translated by Vance).
Identifying the abstract formula of the argument is required before finding its parallel match.
2
Determine the validity of the original argument.
The argument is logically valid. Since none of C overlaps with B, the majority of A (which overlaps with B) cannot possibly overlap with C.
Parallel reasoning questions require matching both the exact quantifier structure and the argument's validity.
3
Evaluate the answer choices against the abstract formula: Most X are Y. No Z are Y. Therefore, most X are not Z.
Only the argument regarding multinational corporations matches this exact valid structure and quantifier sequence.
Eliminating options with mismatched quantifiers (Some, All) or invalid structural flaws (illegal reversals/negations) isolates the correct choice.

Key Concept

Parallel Quantifier Logic
Rate this question

Topics

Parallel Quantifier Logic

More questions from this topic