So we are told that though manuscripts written by first-time authors generally do not get serious attention by publishers, when these authors happen to be celebrities, they do get serious attention by publishers. The author then explains, since she is a first-time author who is not a celebrity, her manuscript will probably not be taken seriously by publishers.
So, our structure is: usually people who are first-time authors do not get serious attention by publishers, unless they happen to be celebrities. We know that the author is a first-time author who is not a celebrity, so she is unlikely to be taken seriously.
Answer choice (B) has the same structure.
Usually fruit salad that contains bananas is a boring dish, unless it has two or more exotic fruits. We are told that this fruit salad has bananas and only one exotic fruit, so it will probably be boring.
Hope that clears things up! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
MauriceDecember 3, 2014
Alright, I get it now. Thanks!
erojasFebruary 10, 2018
Can you please explain why answer choice A is incorrect?
joryjesSeptember 7, 2018
I chose A as well and I don't understand why it's wrong.
claire_critesDecember 6, 2018
I also chose A, and I am not sure why it is wrong.
Jacob-RDecember 6, 2018
@erojas @joryjes @claire_crites
I’m happy to help explain why A is incorrect.
Let’s simplify the logic of the argument in the passage.
X generally doesn’t get Y except when Z.
In this case, unlikely Y because I’m X and I am not Z.
—
Now let’s look back at answer A. We can map it as:
X generally doesn’t get Y unless Z. (Same so far!)
But now we have: Yes Z! Therefore X.
So two big differences in that latter clause as compared to the passage. Sometimes mapping it symbolically can help compare argument structures.
I hope that helps! Let us know if you have further questions.
