PrepTest 138, Section 2, Question 22
Astrologer: Although some scientists have claimed that there(46 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(30 more words not shown)
- AIt is a(22 more words not shown)
- BIt is a(22 more words not shown)
- CIt is the(6 more words not shown)
- DIt summarizes a(11 more words not shown)
- EIt provides a(16 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
What is the astrologer actually trying to establish? That the scientists' denial of a connection is scientifically unjustified.
The proposed reason comes in two steps. First, science supposedly lacks precise criteria for distinguishing personality types. The astrologer uses that to infer that scientific studies cannot disprove a correlation between personality type and anything else. Then that broader claim is used against the particular denial of a correlation with astrological signs.
We don't have to accept either step to understand the structure. Nor does finding a problem with the scientists' justification establish that astrology is correct. The question simply asks about the broad statement that studies cannot disprove such correlations.
What we’re looking for
That statement does two jobs: it receives support from the claim about imprecise personality categories, and it supplies support for the final criticism of the scientists. We're looking for an answer describing both jobs.
Working the answers
- A
This describes the first step in the chain: the claim about lacking precise criteria supports the broader claim about studies, which then supports the overall conclusion. But the question targets the broader claim about studies itself. A puts us one step too early.
- BCorrect
The targeted statement is a conclusion supported by the lack of precise criteria. It is then used as a reason to say the scientists' specific denial is unjustified. That's what an intermediate conclusion does: it is supported by one part of the argument and supports another.
- C
The overall conclusion is the claim that the scientists' denial of a correlation with astrological signs is scientifically unjustified. The targeted statement supplies a broader reason for that conclusion. Being near the end of the passage doesn't make it the final point in the reasoning.
- D
The position the astrologer attacks is the scientists' claim that signs and personality types aren't correlated. The targeted statement belongs to the astrologer's own case against that position. It isn't a summary of the view being criticized.
- E
The targeted statement is general: it concerns correlations between personality type and any other phenomenon. The astrological-sign claim is the more specific application. E reverses those roles by calling the broad statement a specific example.
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