This is a case where Martha believes that because some of Y are X, and some of X is Z, that some Y is Z. (In this case, that some daisies are chrysanthemums and some chrysanthemums are edible, so some daisies are edible.) That's not necessarily the case. If you think about it like this, maybe it'll help: Some dogs are pets, and some pets are cats, so some dogs are cats. See how that doesn't follow logically? C follows Martha's flawed logic by imitating the flawed pattern. It assumes that because some of Noriko's sisters are on the debate team, and some debate team members are poor, that some of Noriko's sisters must be poor. That isn't necessarily the case - Noriko's family could easily be in any income bracket.
MeredithSeptember 16, 2019
is the reason why D is wrong due to the "most" used in the first sentence?
IrinaSeptember 16, 2019
@Meredith,
(D) is incorrect not only because the pattern of reasoning is different but also because it is a valid argument.
Compare the stimulus:
Some daises are chrysanthemums X some - Y
Some chrysanthemums are edible
Y some- Z
Some daises are edible
X some - Z
To (D):
Most of Leon's friends are good swimmers
X most - Y
Good swimmers are strong
Y -> Z
Some of Leon's friends are strong
X some - Z
This is a valid conclusion if most/ some of Leon's friends are good swimmers, and all good swimmers are strong, we can infer that at least some of his friends are strong.
