Q8 - Manager: The only employees who should

by **mshinners** Thu Jul 20, 2017 3:19 pm

Question Type:
Flaw

Stimulus Breakdown:
Bonus → Exceptionally productive
L: Her division missed productivity goals
Conclusion - No bonus!

Answer Anticipation:
This ID the Flaw question features a conditional rule. However, the conditional logic lines up! The contrapositive of the rule states that someone who isn't exceptionally productive shouldn't receive a bonus. Information is provided about missing productivity goals, and the conclusion is that someone shouldn't receive a bonus. Since the conditional logic lines up, we need to look elsewhere.

Generally, if the conditional logic flows correctly, there's a term shift of some kind throwing the application of it off. And that's what we have here. The trigger is when an employee's productivity is low; the information only tells us that Liang's division missed productivity goals. Maybe Lian was more productive than her division! That's a part vs. whole flaw.

Correct answer:
(D)

Answer choice analysis:
(A) Out of scope. The argument talks about productivity in a premise, so different standards don't matter. This answer would be more relevant in an argument where the amount of work accomplished was stated, and the conclusion was about the level of productivity.

(B) Out of scope. The corporation's overall productivity isn't a relevant factor; the factors mentioned are divisional productivity, and individual productivity.

(C) Tempting, but wrong. The argument goes from the group to the individual, not from one group to another.

(D) Bam! The argument concludes something about Liang based on her division. This is the part vs. whole flaw we were looking for.

(E) Out of scope. This argument is about the current year, so next year doesn't matter. Live like there's no tomorrow!

Takeaway/Pattern:
If a Flaw question features conditional logic, there's a good chance the flaw is related to it. However, it's not always the issue, so don't assume that it is just because a word such as "only" shows up!

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