PrepTest 127, Section 3, Question 23
A summer day is "pleasant" if there are(38 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(11 more words not shown)
- AThe temperature on(27 more words not shown)
- BOn Monday, the(26 more words not shown)
- COn Tuesday, the(27 more words not shown)
- DOn Wednesday, a(36 more words not shown)
- EOn Thursday morning,(39 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
For this question, “pleasant” and “oppressive” are labels assigned by the stated rules. We may have our own ideas about a pleasant temperature or a nice breeze, but those preferences won't decide which report follows the rules.
To establish a pleasant day, the first rule combines two facts: intermittent wind and a temperature below 84°F throughout the afternoon. Both belong to that route. A very cool day might also meet it; the passage supplies no lower temperature limit.
For an oppressive day, high humidity goes with either of two alternatives. High humidity plus a temperature above 84°F all afternoon is enough. High humidity plus no wind is also enough. In the second case, the temperature need not stay above the cutoff.
What we’re looking for
These are ways to justify the labels, not claims that no other day could ever be pleasant or oppressive. We should test each report for a complete stated basis for its classification.
Working the answers
- A
Friday has the low temperature, but no wind at all is different from intermittent periods of wind. The report therefore doesn't satisfy the given pleasant-day rule. Low humidity doesn't supply the missing wind condition. The rule doesn't justify the label, even if someone might personally find the day pleasant.
- B
Monday's temperature stays above 84°F, but the humidity is low. High temperature alone isn't one of the stated routes to an oppressive day; high humidity is part of that route too. The report lacks a condition needed to apply the rule.
- C
Neither rising above nor falling below 84°F means staying exactly at 84°F. The pleasant-day rule says below 84°F, not at or below it. Occasional wind satisfies the other part, but it doesn't fix the temperature mismatch.
- D
Wednesday has high humidity, but it has wind and never rises above 84°F. Neither alternative accompanying high humidity is present: it isn't windless, and it doesn't stay above 84°F all afternoon. The given rules do not establish that it is oppressive.
- ECorrect
Thursday has high humidity and no wind throughout the day. That satisfies one complete route to an oppressive day. The temperature's fall below 84°F is irrelevant to that route. We only need the afternoon temperature to remain above 84°F when relying on the separate high-humidity-plus-heat route.
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