PrepTest 128, Section 2, Question 22
Journal editor: Our treasurer advises that because of(86 more words not shown)
The journal editor's argument is(4 more words not shown)
- Atreats meeting a(17 more words not shown)
- Btakes for granted(21 more words not shown)
- Coverlooks the possibility(14 more words not shown)
- Dfails to rule(22 more words not shown)
- Ebases its conclusion(13 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Read 'only if' carefully. The treasurer isn't saying that avoiding higher costs automatically makes the switch a good idea. The treasurer is setting a requirement: don't switch to an online version if doing so will increase publication costs. Equal costs would meet that requirement too; the rule doesn't demand a saving.
Initially, the cost picture is mixed. Conversion is expensive, but individual online issues cost less to publish. Then the benefactor agrees to pay for conversion. That removes the immediate financial obstacle described, and the lower cost per issue makes the editor's proposal understandable.
But have we settled whether the journal should switch? What if its readers want paper and won't read an online version? The journal could spend less per issue and still make a bad decision by losing its audience.
What we’re looking for
The flaw is treating a requirement as if it were a complete reason for acting. Clearing the treasurer's financial condition lets us get past that particular objection; it doesn't establish that every other consideration favors the change.
Working the answers
- ACorrect
Not increasing publication costs is a necessary condition under the treasurer's advice. The editor shows how the conversion expense will be covered and future issues will cost less, then treats meeting that condition as sufficient to recommend switching. The advice never said that cost was the only consideration or that meeting the cost requirement guaranteed a good decision.
- B
The editor doesn't explain why the journal's finances became precarious. They could be poor because of lost advertising, debts, or other expenses while an online version still offered savings. The argument doesn't require paper publication to have caused the financial problem.
- C
Other advantages of going online would supply additional reasons in favor of the conclusion. The flaw is that the editor hasn't established enough reason to recommend the change, not that the editor overlooked further benefits that could support it.
- D
Switching could be worthwhile even if it didn't solve every financial problem. The editor concludes that the journal should make a particular change, not that doing so will restore complete financial stability. The possibility of remaining in difficulty doesn't identify the mistake in treating the cost requirement as sufficient.
- E
A treasurer's advice about publication costs and financial constraints is within the treasurer's financial role. The problem is the editor's use of that advice, not evidence that the treasurer is speaking outside the relevant field. Even accepting the advice as correct leaves the reasoning gap.
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