PrepTest 139, Section 4, Question 6
A first-term board member should not be on(27 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(9 more words not shown)
- ASimkins is a(16 more words not shown)
- BTimmons is a(29 more words not shown)
- CRuiz is on(22 more words not shown)
- DKlein is a(28 more words not shown)
- EMabry is a(29 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
A first-term member has two ways around this restriction: be an accountant or have everyone's support. To rule that member out, we need to rule out both exceptions. Not being an accountant isn't enough if the whole board supports the appointment.
What we’re looking for
Keep the other limit in view, too: this rule concerns first-term members. We aren't told what happens to someone serving a second, third, or fourth term. For the application question, look for a first-term member who isn't an accountant and lacks unanimous support. That person should not serve on the finance committee.
Working the answers
- A
Simkins is a first-term member and isn't an accountant, but what about the other exception? Every board member might support Simkins. Without ruling that out, we cannot use this principle to reject the appointment.
- B
Timmons is serving a third term. Our rule is about first-term members, so it doesn't tell us what Timmons should do. Even unanimous support doesn't give us a recommendation under a rule that never addressed this person's situation.
- C
We aren't told that Ruiz is a first-term member. Ruiz could be serving a fourth term, in which case the restriction wouldn't apply. Also, the principle tells us who should not be on the committee; someone's actual membership doesn't establish that the rule was followed.
- DCorrect
Klein is a first-term member and isn't an accountant. That leaves unanimous support as the only possible exception to the restriction. If even one board member opposes the appointment, Klein doesn't have everyone's support. With both exceptions unavailable, the principle says Klein should not be on the finance committee.
- E
Most board members oppose Mabry, so we certainly don't have unanimous support. Mabry also isn't an accountant. But one fact is still missing: is Mabry a first-term member? Without that, we haven't established that this restriction applies. Strong opposition can't substitute for the missing condition.
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