Solo concert pianists, by convention, are not permitted to use musical scores during their performances. However, most members of chamber groups and orchestras are permitted to use sheet music during performances and perform well as a result. Therefore, all solo concert pianists should also be allowed to consult their musical scores during performances.

The argument is most vulnerable to criticism on which of these grounds?


(A) It overlooks the possibility that some solo concert pianists prefer performing without consulting musical scores. Incorrect

it uses general perception, not some solo concert pianists perception

(B) It takes for granted that members of a chamber group or orchestra are less skilled than solo musicians and thus have more need for musical scores. Incorrect

argument doesnt granted this choice

(C)It overlooks the possibility that some solo concert pianists have broken with tradition and used musical scores during their performances. Incorrect

argument is not related with tradition

(D) It takes for granted that a solo concert pianist would use a musical score in the same way as does a member of a chamber group or orchestra. Correct

(E) It overlooks the possibility that performing in an orchestra is difficult despite the ability to use a musical score during the performance. Incorrect

difficult performance is irrelevant to argument

KAPLAN OFFICIAL EXPLANATION:

STEP 1: IDENTIFY THE QUESTION TYPE
The question asks how the argument is “vulnerable to criticism,” so this is a Flaw question.

STEP 2: UNTANGLE THE STIMULUS
The author concludes that solo concert pianists should be allowed to use musical scores during their performances. The author supports this conclusion by drawing an analogy: members of chamber groups and orchestras are allowed to consult musical scores during their performances and perform well as a result.

STEP 3: PREDICT THE ANSWER
Flaws in arguments arise from an author’s faulty assumptions. In an argument that relies on an analogy, such as this one, the assumption is that the two things being compared are sufficiently alike. Predict that the correct answer will state that the author has overlooked a relevant difference between solo pianists and performers in ensembles.

STEP 4: EVALUATE THE CHOICES
(D) reflects the prediction and is correct. If a pianist would not use a score in the same way as, say, a violinist in an orchestra, then the analogy the argument relies on is not valid. As for (A), it doesn’t matter to the argument whether or not solo concert pianists prefer using musical scores; the author’s argument states that they should be allowed to use them because they would perform better if they did. (B) is an irrelevant comparison; the argument does not rely on the relative skill levels of the two kinds of musicians. If anything, the author would take for granted that solo pianists are less skilled, since that might explain why they should be allowed to use sheet music. (C) mentions that some solo concert pianists may have used musical scores even though they’re not supposed to; however, the author is arguing that these musicians should be allowed to perform with a score in front of them. (E) is incorrect because the author’s assumption is that performing is less difficult with scores than without, not that it is easy.
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One thing that I am not able to understand is that



here the argument tell us that solo pianists are not given permission to use music cheets. But other musicians are given the same and hence, they perform well. Therefore, the solo pianists should also be given the same.

Now, there can be a possibility that the other musicians ACTUALLY need the sheet and the solo pianists DON'T ACTUALLY need the same? Option E tells us on this line.
(E) It overlooks the possibility that performing in an orchestra is difficult despite the ability to use a musical score during the performance.
Please suggest me how this option is incorrect or where I am faltering in my understanding. I chose this option for the very same reason.

For Option D, whether both of the groups use the music sheet in the same way is not making much of a sense to me. So what if the solo pianists use the music sheet in a different way? We are concerned regarding whether the solo pianists SHOULD BE ALLOWED the music sheet. In which way they use it - is that relevant?

Please explain. I am here to learn and rectify.
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