PrepTest 101, Section 2, Question 20
Anthropological studies indicate that distinct cultures differ in(18 more words not shown)
Each of the following, if(6 more words not shown)
- AAnthropologists rely on(17 more words not shown)
- BAs a result(18 more words not shown)
- CAlthough specific moral(18 more words not shown)
- DThe anthropologists who(18 more words not shown)
- EWhat appear to(23 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Different doesn't mean they have nothing in common. Two cultures could disagree about some moral rules and still both value family or friendship.
Imagine both place great importance on caring for family, but one emphasizes parents and children while the other puts more emphasis on a larger network of relatives. Those customs differ. The shared concern for family hasn't disappeared. This is a hypothetical way the premise could be true while the conclusion is false, not a claim that we have proved what every culture values.
The argument moves from studies finding differences to a conclusion that distinct cultures share no values. To weaken that move, I'd look for an overlooked similarity or a reason the studies make the differences look more complete than they are.
What we’re looking for
Because this is weaken EXCEPT, we need the choice that doesn't hurt the argument. It needn't strengthen it; a fact about a different situation could be the exception. And the four weakeners needn't all use my first prediction. A problem with how the studies were conducted could matter too.
Working the answers
- A
Poor translation could cause anthropologists to misunderstand what people value. Imagine a statement expressing a familiar concern for family being translated in a way that hides the shared concern. The investigators could then report a difference where better understanding would reveal a similarity.
That attacks the reliability of the studies the argument uses. It isn't our first predicted objection about different rules coexisting with shared values, but it still weakens the basis for the conclusion. We should eliminate it on this EXCEPT question.
- BCorrect
This describes a future in which everyone shares one culture. The argument concerns what happens as long as distinct cultures exist. Once there is only one culture, we aren't testing a claim about values shared across different cultures at all.
The point isn't simply that B mentions the future. A future example of two distinct cultures sharing a value would challenge the argument. B doesn't give that example; it removes the distinct-cultures condition. The predicted single culture could emerge without showing that the author's claim about separate cultures is wrong.
- C
This directly supplies the similarity the argument overlooks. Cultures could differ in specific rules while all sharing a general principle such as friendship being good. Even one such shared principle conflicts with the conclusion that there are no values shared across cultures. C is a clear weakener.
- D
If researchers concentrate on finding differences, their reports may leave out similarities. That makes it less reasonable to treat the reported differences as a complete picture of what the cultures have in common. Bias doesn't prove the studies are entirely false; it gives us a reason to doubt the move from their findings to the sweeping conclusion.
- E
This says the underlying values are shared, while the ways people try to honor them differ. Return to caring for family: people could agree that it matters and disagree about exactly which duties it creates. The author treats the visible differences as evidence of no common values. E tells us those differences can instead be different expressions of common values, which directly challenges the conclusion.
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