Ecologist: Every songbird species capable of vocal mimicry possesses a specialized syringeal muscle structure. However, certain avian species indigenous to the cloud forest lack this specialized syringeal muscle structure. Therefore, some avian species indigenous to the cloud forest are not songbird species capable of vocal mimicry.
Which of the following arguments is most similar in its logical reasoning to the argument above?
- AEvery migratory bird inhabiting the wetlands relies on seasonal marshes for nesting. Because many waterfowl species in the sanctuary nest in seasonal marshes, at least some of these waterfowl species must be migratory birds inhabiting the wetlands.
- BEvery commercial agreement approved by the compliance board includes a mandatory dispute resolution clause. The vendor contract submitted yesterday includes a mandatory dispute resolution clause. Therefore, the vendor contract submitted yesterday must have been approved by the compliance board.
- Every oil painting restored using traditional resin varnish develops surface micro-cracking over time. Certain sixteenth-century portraits in the municipal gallery have not developed surface micro-cracking over time. Thus, some sixteenth-century portraits in the municipal gallery are not oil paintings restored using traditional resin varnish.Answer
- DEvery ceramic glaze formulated with feldspar vitrifies at temperatures exceeding one thousand degrees. Some clay vessels fired in the kiln yesterday did not vitrify at temperatures exceeding one thousand degrees. Consequently, no clay vessels fired in the kiln yesterday were ceramic glazes formulated with feldspar.
- EEvery commercial airliner certified for international routes is equipped with redundant navigation transponders. A transport aircraft recently retired from service was never equipped with redundant navigation transponders. Therefore, that retired transport aircraft could not have been certified for international routes.
Answer
The argument concerning sixteenth-century portraits in the municipal gallery and traditional resin varnish is most similar in its logical reasoning to the original argument.
The correct argument precisely matches the logical blueprint of the stimulus. Both arguments begin with a universal conditional rule (All members of group A possess feature B), introduce a factual premise indicating that certain members of a subcategory C lack feature B, and conclude validly via modus tollens that some members of subcategory C are not members of group A.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Parallel Quantifier Syllogism and Contrapositive Inference
Estimated Time:1m 30s