Critical Reasoning

Although Locke has been hailed as a giant figure in European intellectual history, his ideas were largely borrowed from his predecessors, who are now unfairly neglected by historians. Furthermore, Locke never wrote a truly great book; his most widely known works are muddy in style, awkwardly constructed, and often self-contradictory.
With which of the following would the author most likely agree?


A. Locke made use of ideas without acknowledging his predecessors as the sources of those ideas.
B. Current historians are re-evaluating the work of Locke in the light of present-day knowledge.
C. Locke's contributions to the development of European thought have been greatly exaggerated.
D. Historians should reexamine Locke's place in European intellectual history.
E. Although Locke's ideas were important, his way of expressing them in writing was sadly inadequate.

Again sove this question by using below technique

How to approach Inference Questions:

1. Analyze scope: Inference junk answers will typically go outside the direct scope of the passage. Be careful to look directly at the scope of the question. Inference answers must be within the scope of the passage. Your opinions or information outside of the passage are always outside of the scope.
2. Don't jump into the Assumption Hunt. These questions usually don't carry much in the way of glaring assumptions. Instead, these questions generally test your ability to derive a conclusion from stated premises.
3. Knock out answers with extreme wording. Inference answers typically do not use only, always, never, best or any strong words that leave little wiggle room. The right answers on Inference questions will generally use more qualifiers and less extreme language.
4. Try to fully understand what the passage's point is and the exact reasoning so that if the question asks you to extend that reasoning, you are able to accurately do so.
5. Use the process of elimination. Inference questions typically have two or three good answers that are semi-plausible. The best way to tackle these questions is to gradually eliminate the possible answers until you have one or two and then choose the last one by scope.

Enjoy!!

OA C

wishkaro wrote:Although Locke has been hailed as a giant figure in European intellectual history, his ideas were largely borrowed from his predecessors, who are now unfairly neglected by historians. Furthermore, Locke never wrote a truly great book; his most widely known works are muddy in style, awkwardly constructed, and often self-contradictory.
With which of the following would the author most likely agree?


A. Locke made use of ideas without acknowledging his predecessors as the sources of those ideas.
B. Current historians are re-evaluating the work of Locke in the light of present-day knowledge.
C. Locke's contributions to the development of European thought have been greatly exaggerated.
D. Historians should reexamine Locke's place in European intellectual history.
E. Although Locke's ideas were important, his way of expressing them in writing was sadly inadequate.

Again sove this question by using below technique

How to approach Inference Questions:

1. Analyze scope: Inference junk answers will typically go outside the direct scope of the passage. Be careful to look directly at the scope of the question. Inference answers must be within the scope of the passage. Your opinions or information outside of the passage are always outside of the scope.
2. Don't jump into the Assumption Hunt. These questions usually don't carry much in the way of glaring assumptions. Instead, these questions generally test your ability to derive a conclusion from stated premises.
3. Knock out answers with extreme wording. Inference answers typically do not use only, always, never, best or any strong words that leave little wiggle room. The right answers on Inference questions will generally use more qualifiers and less extreme language.
4. Try to fully understand what the passage's point is and the exact reasoning so that if the question asks you to extend that reasoning, you are able to accurately do so.
5. Use the process of elimination. Inference questions typically have two or three good answers that are semi-plausible. The best way to tackle these questions is to gradually eliminate the possible answers until you have one or two and then choose the last one by scope.

Enjoy!!

OA C

Thanks wishkaro.
Great post!!!

Can you explain why Ans E has been eliminated. I assume its because the phrase " Locke's ideas were imp" is out of scope. Any thoughts?


Thx
Turbo Jet

Ok I got it right but My reasoning might be flawed. i have just begin preparing for the test and verbal gives me creeps

My thought process:
B) rejected because the views are author's points of view and not other historians
D) rejected: author never talked about Locke's place int he history. it was his ideas and how he borrowed them
E)rejected: Locke's ideas were NOT his ideas. The tone is different from the author's tone. The author is almost kicking Locke's **s.
now between A and C I chose C because it is closer to what author is talking about and it has similar tone.
Also, Locke guy might have acknowledged others' works.(never go out of the scope)

Hope it helps

Gr8 reply tohellandback... it definitely helps ..

Answer to Jurbo Jet question ...As you mentioned correctly Option E is Not addressed in Argument, hence out of scope

My Thought Process:



1. Identify the conclusion and premises:

Premise: Locke has been hailed as a giant figure in European intellectual history, his ideas were largely borrowed from his predecessors,
Locke never wrote a truly great book

Conclusion: Not present

2. This is an infer question because the conclusion of the argument is not present in the argument.Therefore it must be present in the answer choice.
Hence the correct answer choice/conclusion must be true based on the premises. Could be/ could not be answers should be eliminated.

A: From the premise, it is not clear whether Locke has/has not acknowledged his predecessors. Hence eliminate because not sure.
B: Out of scope. Argument is talking about the current historian's views on Locke, not all historians. We cannot infer all from some info
C: Trigger word in the qs stem like " hailed as giant figure" , "never wrote a truly great book" direct us to the tone of the passage that hints at exaggeration.
Based on premises, this is the correct answer as the info is a must true statement based on premises
D:Probable Ans choice. However will be eliminated beacuse it contains "SHOULD" Extreme word which leaves out the scope for any other possibility
E:Out of scope of passage: " Locke's ideas were important"

Tip: Infer qs correct answer choices must be true based on premises. Focus on premises. And as mentioned by tohellandback, never go out of scope of the question stimulus

Good post!

turbo jet wrote:My Thought Process:



1. Identify the conclusion and premises:

Premise: Locke has been hailed as a giant figure in European intellectual history, his ideas were largely borrowed from his predecessors,
Locke never wrote a truly great book

Conclusion: Not present

2. This is an infer question because the conclusion of the argument is not present in the argument.Therefore it must be present in the answer choice.
Hence the correct answer choice/conclusion must be true based on the premises. Could be/ could not be answers should be eliminated.

A: From the premise, it is not clear whether Locke has/has not acknowledged his predecessors. Hence eliminate because not sure.
B: Out of scope. Argument is talking about the current historian's views on Locke, not all historians. We cannot infer all from some info
C: Trigger word in the qs stem like " hailed as giant figure" , "never wrote a truly great book" direct us to the tone of the passage that hints at exaggeration.
Based on premises, this is the correct answer as the info is a must true statement based on premises
D:Probable Ans choice. However will be eliminated beacuse it contains "SHOULD" Extreme word which leaves out the scope for any other possibility
E:Out of scope of passage: " Locke's ideas were important"

Tip: Infer qs correct answer choices must be true based on premises. Focus on premises. And as mentioned by tohellandback, never go out of scope of the question stimulus

I will go with C