PrepTest 124, Section 3, Question 12
Many mountain climbers regard climbing Mount Everest as(55 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(10 more words not shown)
- AProjects undertaken primarily(12 more words not shown)
- BDangerous activities that(15 more words not shown)
- CActivities that are(15 more words not shown)
- DProfound spiritual experiences(12 more words not shown)
- EMountain climbers and(15 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Dangerous doesn't automatically mean no one should do it. Someone might value climbing Everest enough to accept a serious risk. The author needs a reason for the recommendation, not just a description of the danger.
The passage adds that reports of exhaustion and fear dispel the hope of spiritual discovery. I still have a question: what about climbers who might report a different experience? Some disappointing experiences wouldn't establish that nobody could gain anything spiritual from the climb.
What we’re looking for
But we're asked for a principle that helps justify the reasoning. We can support the final recommendation even if a question remains about the spiritual-benefit claim. The useful rule would connect the author's picture of the climb—dangerous and unlikely to provide the hoped-for spiritual benefit—to the advice not to attempt it. A broad rule against risking one's life would help; a rule matching these particular reasons could help too.
Working the answers
- A
Are climbers undertaking the project primarily for spiritual reasons? The passage says many consider Everest the ultimate achievement, and it discusses a romantic hope of spiritual discovery. That doesn't establish that spiritual discovery is their main reason for climbing. A's rule only applies when that extra condition is met, leaving an important gap.
- BCorrect
This connects the two considerations the author gives to the recommendation: dangerous activity, unlikely significant spiritual benefit, therefore avoid it. Taking the author's assessment of the climb as the basis for applying the rule, B supplies the missing reason those features count against attempting it.
Notice what B accomplishes. It strengthens the move from the author's assessment to the recommendation. It doesn't independently prove that every climber will lack spiritual benefits, and the question doesn't require it to repair every possible objection.
- C
Legally prohibited goes beyond the argument. Advising climbers not to attempt something isn't the same as asking the government to ban it. The author hasn't supplied an argument about what the law should allow, and C's rule changes the conclusion we're trying to support.
- D
Having another way to gain a spiritual experience doesn't establish that people should avoid Everest. Someone could know about the safer alternative and still value this particular climb. We'd still need a rule explaining why the danger and limited benefit make the climb something to avoid.
- E
Examining your reasons isn't the same as deciding not to climb. A person could reflect carefully and then choose to go. The author recommends avoiding the climb, so a rule requiring reflection doesn't justify the particular decision the author wants.
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