Critical Reasoning: Investigation Questions
St. George is a renowned dragon-slayer. In order to prepare for his first battle with a fire-breathing dragon, St. George has decided to strap on a full steel armor suit, as steel is the most fire-resistant material for armor suits available in the kingdom.
Which of the following would be most important to know in determining whether St. George's armor would protect him?
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]While an armor's weight could be a significant detail, knowing it would not help us establish whether the armor would protect St. George. Perhaps a lighter armor is more protective or vice versa - we simply have no information about the link between weight and protection.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]St. George's conclusion is that the armor - not his skill - would protect him from the dragon's fire. Whether or not the skill is a factor in battle is irrelevant as the conclusion is about the protection provided by the armor. We cannot determine whether the conclusion is true based on St. George's skill.
Correct!
[[snippet]]The fact that steel is the most fire-resistant material in the kingdom does not necessarily mean it is sufficiently fire-resistant. If the dragon can melt steel with his fire, the conclusion is weakened; if it cannot melt steel, the conclusion is strengthened.
Therefore, this is the most crucial factor in St. George's conclusion, and it serves us the most in determining whether his conclusion is valid.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]This answer choice is entirely irrelevant, as non-fire-breathing dragons are beyond the scope of this argument. We cannot use this detail to determine whether St. John's armor would protect him.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]The identity of the armor maker is irrelevant; knowing it would not help us establish whether the armor would protect St. George. Perhaps some armorers makes hardier armors, but we simply have no information about the link between the armor maker and the protection it gives.
