PrepTest 144, Section 4, Question 14
Certain methods of creating high-quality counterfeit banknotes involve(38 more words not shown)
The argument's conclusion can be(10 more words not shown)
- AToday's copying technology(12 more words not shown)
- BOnce the images(19 more words not shown)
- CGovernments have better(8 more words not shown)
- DFew countries produce(11 more words not shown)
- ENew designs in(13 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
If accurate measurements help counterfeiters, making those measurements harder could be useful. But does it have to be our way of stopping them?
I might first wonder whether some other counterfeiting method avoids precise measurements. That would matter if we were claiming this measure would solve the entire problem by itself. Read the actual conclusion carefully, though: the author says obstructing measurement is something we must do to prevent high-quality counterfeits.
The evidence identifies methods that use accurate measurements. It doesn't yet establish that there is no other point at which we could block those methods. Perhaps measuring an image is only one step, and some later obstacle could still prevent a convincing copy.
What we’re looking for
The question asks for an assumption that makes the conclusion follow. Focus on why measurement must be the step we obstruct. An answer needs to establish that leaving accurate measurement available leaves an avenue to high-quality counterfeits open.
Working the answers
- A
A general statement about sophisticated copying technology doesn't establish that accurate measurement is the obstacle we must create. “Almost any paper product” also doesn't settle which obstacles apply to genuine banknotes. We need a connection to the specific required measure in the conclusion.
- BCorrect
Once the images have been measured accurately, nothing else stands in the way of exact replication. So if accurate measurement remains available, the counterfeiters have a way to produce a high-quality copy with no further obstacle. To prevent that production, we must interfere with the measurement. This shows why that step is required without claiming it would eliminate every other possible method by itself.
- C
Better government printers don't establish that counterfeiters cannot produce high-quality notes with their own printers. Nor does that comparison establish that measurement is the point we must obstruct. A difference in available technology leaves the needed connection unstated.
- D
What few countries currently do doesn't tell us what must be done to prevent counterfeiting. Countries might be neglecting a necessary measure, or they might be using some other effective barrier. D reports a practice without establishing the requirement.
- E
Redesigning notes might reduce counterfeiting for various reasons. E doesn't say the designs work by obstructing accurate measurement, or that this particular step is required. It also describes decreases in counterfeiting rather than establishing what is necessary to prevent the production at issue.
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