Critical Reasoning

The average normal infant born in the United States weighs between twelve and fourteen pounds at the age of three months. Therefore, if a three-month-old child weighs only ten pounds, its weight gain has been below the United States average.

Which of the following indicates a flaw in the reasoning above?

A. Weight is only one measure of normal infant development.

B. Some three-month-old children weigh as much as seventeen pounds.

C. It is possible for a normal child to weigh ten pounds at birth.

D. The phrase “below average” does not necessarily mean insufficient.

E. Average weight gain is not the same as average weight.

answer is e, the premise says that average weight is between 12-14, however the conclusion says that average weight gain, it is a wrong comparison between avg weight and growth in weight.

Correct Answer Choice: E (In my opinion)


Thought process:

Flaw of logic may imply method of reasoning qs or weakening qs.In this example,the answer choices are description of the author's logic.
Hence it is a method of reasoning question. Had all the answer choice been new information, it would have been a weakening question.

A- Incorrect. Bec "infant development" phrase is out of scope
B- Incorrect as it does not descibe logic. It describes a particular case
C- Incorrect as it does not descibe logic. It describes a particular case
D- "Insufficient" Out of Scope
E- Correct because it is describing the flaw in the logic.(wrong
comparison)

Tip in method of reasoning question::
1. In method of reasoning qs, find accurate description of logic/ logical flaw, as the case may be.
2. Eliminate answer choices that are out of scope of stimulus.

Cheers!!!
Turbo Jet

It's E for sure ... explaination same mentioned by Turbo Jet...

OA Pls ?

Could you please explain point (1)? I did not COMPLETELY get the meaning.

Tip in method of reasoning question:

1. In method of reasoning questions, find accurate description of logic/ logical flaw, as the case may be.

2. Eliminate answer choices that are out of scope of stimulus

Cheers
AJ


Answer to query: By Turbo Jet

In method of reasoning questions, the answer choices contain a description of the author's logic. Therefore our approach should be to focus on the logical structure of the argument. In short, How is the author trying to convey his idea. What is the method that he is using?Is he using examples or 2 different cases or different views, etc. We must focus on the logical structure and not on the subject of the argument. The logic in the argument may be flawed or correct. That should not be our concern. Our job is to find the answer choice that correctly describes the logic/ author's way and method of expressing his idea best.


Hope this helps!!
Cheers
Turbo Jet

I would go with option E