PrepTest 124, Section 1, Question 6
Since Jackie is such a big fan of(58 more words not shown)
Which one of the following,(6 more words not shown)
- AJackie has not(25 more words not shown)
- BThough The Cruel(25 more words not shown)
- CLike Moral Vacuum,(17 more words not shown)
- DAll of the(14 more words not shown)
- EJackie's favorite Moral(14 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Is that why Jackie likes the band?
The two groups share a musical style and a taste for witty lyrics. Those similarities could matter. But maybe Jackie likes Moral Vacuum because she has a crush on the drummer. If so, giving another band sophisticated harmonies and clever puns wouldn't necessarily make her a fan.
Even if her interest is musical, we still need to know which parts of the music appeal to her. Liking one band doesn't automatically mean liking everything with some of its features.
What we’re looking for
To strengthen the prediction, I'd like a connection between Jackie's enjoyment of Moral Vacuum and what The Cruel Herd offers on this album. An answer saying she likes those particular musical features would be helpful. We need support for that connection, not a guarantee that she'll enjoy the album.
Working the answers
- ACorrect
The new album has Moral Vacuum's musical arranger. That gives us another reason to expect the new music to share something with music Jackie already likes. It is a more direct connection than simply placing both bands in the same broad genre.
The opening detail—that Jackie hasn't liked The Cruel Herd before—may seem discouraging. But the conclusion concerns the new album, and A identifies a relevant change on that album. Her old opinion needn't settle her reaction to music arranged by someone from a band she enjoys.
This doesn't establish exactly why Jackie likes Moral Vacuum, so it doesn't completely answer our objection. It does make the prediction better supported. That's enough for a strengthener.
- B
Being widely employed doesn't tell us that a producer creates music Jackie likes, or even guarantee better production. We need a reason to connect this new album with her tastes. The producer's popularity within the industry doesn't supply it.
- C
Other students at Jackie's university can have very different tastes from hers. The clubs' popularity with those students doesn't establish that Jackie likes the clubs, the performances, or this album. Attending the same university doesn't make everyone the same listener.
- D
This is tempting because both bands play rock. But saying all her regular favorites are rock doesn't mean she likes all rock music. She could listen only to Moral Vacuum, and D would still be true. The broad category doesn't give us the specific connection to The Cruel Herd that A supplies.
- E
The shared lyrics described in the argument are witty, full of puns and sardonic humor. We haven't been told that The Cruel Herd's lyrics are somber or politically aware. Identifying those as Jackie's favorite features doesn't establish that the new album has what she enjoys.
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