Critical Reasoning: Inference Questions
In order to protect its budding printer industry, Country X's government plans to ban all printer imports. Several thousand concerned citizens protested, claiming that such a ban will inevitably result in a sharp rise in the prices of printer retail prices.
Which of the following can be most properly inferred from the passage?
Very good!
This answer choice provides a sound conclusion to the argument: if the removal of the imported printers from the market is expected to cause a rise in prices, the imported printers must have had quite attractive prices.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]This answer choice goes too far beyond the information in the premises. While this is one possible outcome of the situation described, it is not the only one. People may buy the printers despite the high prices.
Remember that when you solve an Inference Question, you are looking for the conclusion that must stem from the argument, not for a conclusion that could stem from it.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]This answer choice is too far-fetched to be a logical conclusion to the argument. Do we really know enough about Country X's political nature to state that the situation described will affect the votes? Not at all. Look for an answer choice that takes a small step beyond the premises in the argument.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]This answer choice is too radical to be a logical conclusion to the argument. Do we really know enough about Country X to state that the citizens will resort to criminal activity just to get cheaper printers? Not at all. Look for an answer choice that takes a small step beyond what is explicitly stated in the premises.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]This conclusion requires further assumptions to link it to the argument. Mainly, it must be assumed that the printer industry in Country X cannot meet the demand for printers, try as it might. This need for assumptions is a sign that the statement reaches too far beyond the premises.
