PrepTest 58, Section 2, Question 2
By Brandon Beaver | Published October 29, 2024
Type: Parallel Principle
Difficulty:
Explanations
The psychologist argues that it's best to preoccupy ourselves with other thoughts when we have trouble remembering names or things. Why? Because, apparently, the harder we struggle to remember the thing we've forgotten, the less likely it is we'll remember it.
Certainly not a proven argument, but I see where the psychologist is coming from. They're basically saying that the best way to achieve the ends of something we're struggling with is to divert our attention from that difficult thing, because the more we struggle, the less likely we are to accomplish it.
It turns out to be a Parallel Principle question. That means I need an answer choice that follows the rule I articulated a moment ago: If it's a challenging thing, the best way to achieve the challenge is to divert attention, because the more you struggle, the less likely you are to achieve the challenge.
Let's go find it.
A
Nope. I disliked this answer as soon as I read the word "Often, the best way..." The passage doesn't insinuate that it's occasionally best to distract ourselves from struggles, but that it's always best. Moreover, it concludes "that true happiness does not consist in wealth and fame." This conclusion doesn't involve a likelihood like the passage did originally.
B
No, this is a trap. This suggests a best way to do something that involves doing something different, but justifies it not through the likelihood of completing the original task but through avoiding discouragement. We can't pick this.
C
Nah. This gives us a claim about the best way to do something (overcome a serious mistake) but then it tells us to simply carry on. This is the literal opposite of the recommendation in the passage. We aren't told to persevere in the passage, we're told to distract ourselves and do other things.
D
Perfect. Here, we get a claim about the best way to do something (fall asleep) that involves not focusing on that thing (counting sheep instead). Then, the appropriate justification is provided. That is, why should we count sheep? Because the more we concentrate on falling asleep (the original thing we hoped to accomplish) the less likely we are to actually fall asleep.
E
Nope. This suggests we should alleviate our grief by focusing on those with even worse circumstances. The passage suggested achieve a goal by shifting focus. This argues we should shift focus to a more intense version of the thing we originally focused on. Can't pick this.
Passage
Psychologist: The best way to recall a certain word or name
Question 2
The principle that underlies the psychologist's argument und