Must Be True Questions - - Question 22

Those who participate in local politics include people who are genuinely interested in public service and people who ...

CMarr August 3, 2020

Explanation for Answer D

Hello, I chose Answer A.... but I was between A and D. I know D could be true... and A must be true. But using what was provided we could assume D to also be true, correct? Please explain how to differentiate between could be true and must be true.

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shunhe August 4, 2020

Hi @CMarr,

Thanks for the question! So the difference between “could be true” and “must be true” is actually what it sounds like—could be true describes a state of affairs that COULD happen, whereas must be true describes a state of affairs that MUST happen. And so when we’re asked for something that has to happen, we can’t respond with something that could happen.

For example: say that we’re told that someone is a bachelor. Well, it MUST be true that they’re unmarried, since that’s the definition of a bachelor. But it COULD be true that they’re unmarried because they just never met the right person; there could be other possibilities, like they’re unmarried because of their own choice. But it has to be true that they’re unmarried; they can’t be a married bachelor, because that’s a contradiction. So if you asked what “must be true” about the bachelor, it’d be the fact that they’re unmarried, but not the fact that they’re unmarried because of their own choice. And vice versa. (D) could be true, but doesn’t have to be true, and the question’s asking for something that has to be true.

Hope this helps! Feel free to ask any other questions that you might have.