PrepTest 141, Section 4, 23. Problem: If Shayna congratulates…

How will the right answer fit in terms of support and conclusion?

Only the right answer will include a conclusion supported by the passage.

Highlight the main conclusion in the passage, if there is one:

There is no conclusion in the passage. The right answer will have the conclusion in it.

Problem [SUPPORT]. However, [SUPPORT].

Principle: [SUPPORT].

Map the wording of the answers to the wording of the passage:

(A) …she will avoid hurting his feelings…

Cool story. But the passage says she should only do that if she thinks Daniel “would prefer kindness to honesty”. Since we don’t get any info about that, this conclusion isn’t supported.

(B) Daniel might prefer…

Stop. It’s tricky, but what Daniel actually prefers isn’t part of the principle, only what “one believes” about the other person’s preferences. You’re a lawyer though so I’m sure you caught that distinction.

(C) Shayna believes that kindness…

Oof, another close call. But the only one of Shayna’s beliefs that matters is what she thinks Daniel prefers. What she prefers is irrelevant.

(D) Daniel’s feelings would be hurt…

Same as (A), we can’t make this conclusion without knowing if Shayna thinks Daniel would prefer kindness.

(E) Shayna has no opinion…so she should not congratulate him.

If she has no opinion, then the exception in the principle isn’t in effect. Now it’s cool to conclude that she shouldn’t be insincere, and that no congrats are in order.

(E) is the correct answer.