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07 Apr 2026, 19:00
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D
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
35%
(medium)
Question Stats:
75% (01:49) correct
25%
(01:48)
wrong
based on 130
sessions
History
Date
Time
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Not Attempted Yet
Musicologist: In the book Musical Decay, the author argues that modern-day orchestral music lacks the innovation that characterized orchestral music in the preceding centuries. The book’s assertion is sound, as its analysis of two hundred orchestral compositions, one hundred old and one hundred modern-day ones, credibly illustrates that none of the contemporary compositions are as innovative as the older compositions.
Which of the following points to the most serious logical flaw in the musicologist’s argument?
A. The specific techniques currently used in orchestral music could allow for less innovation than do techniques used in other genres of music.
B. There could be measures aside from the degree of innovation found in a composition by which to judge it.
C. The book’s title could influence readers to accept the book's assertion before reading the analysis of the compositions that support it.
D. The compositions the book's author selected for analysis could be those that best support the book's assertion.
E. Readers unfamiliar with the terminology of music criticism might remain unconvinced by the book's analysis of the two hundred compositions.
Which of the following points to the most serious logical flaw in the musicologist’s argument?
A. The specific techniques currently used in orchestral music could allow for less innovation than do techniques used in other genres of music.
B. There could be measures aside from the degree of innovation found in a composition by which to judge it.
C. The book’s title could influence readers to accept the book's assertion before reading the analysis of the compositions that support it.
D. The compositions the book's author selected for analysis could be those that best support the book's assertion.
E. Readers unfamiliar with the terminology of music criticism might remain unconvinced by the book's analysis of the two hundred compositions.
07 Apr 2026, 22:21
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Option D
Premise: The book "Musical Decay" claims modern orchestral music lacks innovation compared to earlier centuries.
Evidence: Analysis of 200 orchestral compositions (100 old, 100 modern) shows none of the contemporary ones are as innovative as the older ones.
Conclusion: The book's assertion is sound.
A. Different techniques in orchestral vs. other genres
Premise: The book "Musical Decay" claims modern orchestral music lacks innovation compared to earlier centuries.
Evidence: Analysis of 200 orchestral compositions (100 old, 100 modern) shows none of the contemporary ones are as innovative as the older ones.
Conclusion: The book's assertion is sound.
A. Different techniques in orchestral vs. other genres
- This addresses whether orchestral music specifically might have constraints, but doesn't attack the core logic of comparing old vs. new orchestral compositions.
- This suggests innovation might not be the only (or best) criterion for judging music quality, but the argument is specifically about innovation, so this is somewhat tangential.
- This is about reader psychology, not a flaw in the logical structure of the argument itself.
- This is the most serious flaw. The author may have cherry-picked compositions that support the predetermined conclusion. If you selectively choose which 100 old and 100 modern compositions to analyze, you can easily manipulate the outcome. This represents a fundamental methodological flaw that undermines the entire evidential basis.
- This is about communication effectiveness, not logical validity.
07 Apr 2026, 23:56
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Straightway D,
This is what is called as sample selection bias. I have seen this tested in many other questions. Keep a note of it.
This is what is called as sample selection bias. I have seen this tested in many other questions. Keep a note of it.
