Question

Read the following short passage and choose the best answer to the questions following the passage.

Columnist: Senators who are not firmly committed to a core set of beliefs will formulate new campaign strategies and moot points before each upcoming election. Senators are elected to serve multiple terms in office only if they formulate new campaign strategies and moot points before each upcoming election. Therefore, senators who are not firmly committed to a core set of beliefs are elected to serve multiple terms in office.   

Which one of the following displays a flawed pattern of reasoning most closely parallel to that in the columnist's argument? 

Options

• Nuclear proliferation will accelerate only if there is widespread access to fissile material. Widespread access to fissile material goes hand in glove with increased regional instability. Therefore, nuclear proliferation will not accelerate unless there is an increase in regional instability.

• If health care costs continue to rise, foreign currency markets will devalue the Euro. But health care costs will not continue to rise. Therefore, foreign currency markets will not devalue the Euro.  

• A loyal person is a likeable person, for a loyal person always stands by her friends and a likeable person also always stands by her friends.

• A well-constructed house includes code-compliant framing, wiring, and insulation. A house is marketable only if it is well-constructed. Therefore, a marketable house includes code-compliant framing, wiring, and insulation.   

Answer 1

A loyal person is a likable person, for a loyal person always stands by her friends and a likable person also always stands by her friends.

Explanation:

Option 'A loyal person is a likable person, for a loyal person always stands by her friends and a likable person also always stands by her friends.' most closely displays a flawed pattern of reasoning parallel to that in the columnist's argument.