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805+ (Hard)|   Logical Flaw|      
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gjg
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It is the holy duty of the press to publish any news that is 22 Jul 2012, 20:56
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C
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!

Difficulty:

95% (hard)

Question Stats:

32% (01:47) correct 68% (02:06) wrong based on 456 sessions

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It is the holy duty of the press to publish any news that is in the public interest to have published. There can be no doubt that the public has demonstrated considerable interest in the recent Colorado massacre, especially since the details of the private lives of the people involved have been displayed in the tabloid magazines and television talk shows every day. Thus, the press has an obligation to publish the details of the private lives of all of the people involved in this case.

A reasoning error in the argument is that:

A. It incorrectly assumes that just because the public in interested in some topic, they are also interested in the private lives of the people involved.
B. The reasons given in support of the conclusion presuppose the truth of that conclusion.
C. The argument employs a key term or phrase in two different meanings.
D. The argument assumes that just because the press has a duty to publish something, it should publish it.
E. It bases the conclusion on the unwarranted assumption that whatever is in the public interest to have published ought to be published.
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C
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rjacobsMGMAT
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It is the holy duty of the press to publish any news that is 25 Jul 2012, 10:02
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Pretty sure "public interest" is the misused term, because saying something is "in the public interest" (i.e. good for people whether they like it or not) is different from saying "the public is interested" (i.e. people actually want to know).

My stupid little example: broccoli is in the public interest, but the public is not interested!

However, I don't like this question mainly because I see absolutely nothing wrong with answer choice (B). This argument, simplified, says:

"News sources publish Colorado massacre info, therefore the public is interested in this info, therefore news sources should publish this info."

A therefore B therefore A - it's circular logic.
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venmic
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It is the holy duty of the press to publish any news that is 22 Jul 2012, 21:04
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what is the source.. thiis is non-gmat seems to be created or made up related to the reccent incident
This is nowhere close to the actual GMAT


gjg
It is the holy duty of the press to publish any news that is in the public interest to have published. There can be no doubt that the public has demonstrated considerable interest in the recent Colorado massacre, especially since the details of the private lives of the people involved have been displayed in the tabloid magazines and television talk shows every day. Thus, the press has an obligation to publish the details of the private lives of all of the people involved in this case.

A reasoning error in the argument is that:

A. It incorrectly assumes that just because the public in interested in some topic, they are also interested in the private lives of the people involved.
B. The reasons given in support of the conclusion presuppose the truth of that conclusion.
C. The argument employs a key term or phrase in two different meanings.
D. The argument assumes that just because the press has a duty to publish something, it should publish it.
E. It bases the conclusion on the unwarranted assumption that whatever is in the public interest to have published ought to be published.
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jagdeepsingh1983
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It is the holy duty of the press to publish any news that is 23 Jul 2012, 12:36
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C
It drives Public interest (publishing is obligation for press) in some incident which lead to shows & publishing on private lives. But then suddenly change the course

publishing private lives in the obligation for press-(Not all private lives)
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Nanushka
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It is the holy duty of the press to publish any news that is 25 Jul 2012, 08:35
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jagdeepsingh1983
C
It drives Public interest (publishing is obligation for press) in some incident which lead to shows & publishing on private lives. But then suddenly change the course

publishing private lives in the obligation for press-(Not all private lives)
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Could you please specify which word is the "key term" that is misused,which exact word?
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It is the holy duty of the press to publish any news that is 25 Jul 2012, 08:44
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gjg
It is the holy duty of the press to publish any news that is in the public interest to have published. There can be no doubt that the public has demonstrated considerable interest in the recent Colorado massacre, especially since the details of the private lives of the people involved have been displayed in the tabloid magazines and television talk shows every day. Thus, the press has an obligation to publish the details of the private lives of all of the people involved in this case.

A reasoning error in the argument is that:

A. It incorrectly assumes that just because the public in interested in some topic, they are also interested in the private lives of the people involved.
B. The reasons given in support of the conclusion presuppose the truth of that conclusion.
C. The argument employs a key term or phrase in two different meanings.
D. The argument assumes that just because the press has a duty to publish something, it should publish it.
E. It bases the conclusion on the unwarranted assumption that whatever is in the public interest to have published ought to be published.
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Key term- holy duty "

C. The argument employs a key term or phrase in two different meanings.

Firstly, press should publish any news that is in the public interest.
Secondly, the press has an obligation to publish the details of the private lives of all of the people involved in cases,which is being telecast on media.
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It is the holy duty of the press to publish any news that is 25 Jul 2012, 09:26
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Thanks thevenus,

Did I understand you correct ?

First: It is the holy duty of the press to publish any news that is in the public interest to have published.

Second: Thus, the press has an obligation to publish the details of the private lives

So,because any news and details of private lives don't match as a function of the same key term "duty/obligation", therefore this key term is misused?
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It is the holy duty of the press to publish any news that is 25 Jul 2012, 11:01
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rjacobsMGMAT
Pretty sure "public interest" is the misused term, because saying something is "in the public interest" (i.e. good for people whether they like it or not) is different from saying "the public is interested" (i.e. people actually want to know).

My stupid little example: broccoli is in the public interest, but the public is not interested!

However, I don't like this question mainly because I see absolutely nothing wrong with answer choice (B). This argument, simplified, says:

"News sources publish Colorado massacre info, therefore the public is interested in this info, therefore news sources should publish this info."

A therefore B therefore A - it's circular logic.
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Thanks Ryan!

I also think that answer B is more reasonable as a correct answer,because it shows circular reasoning.
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It is the holy duty of the press to publish any news that is 11 Jan 2026, 10:40
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C as:
The first sentence says that the press must publish what is in the "public interest" - meaning what is good for the public to know. Then the passage moves to "what has public shown interest in" - this is not necessarily same as "public interest" as something which the publis might be interested to know might not be required by them to know/there may be no good coming out of the public knowing that information.
gjg
It is the holy duty of the press to publish any news that is in the public interest to have published. There can be no doubt that the public has demonstrated considerable interest in the recent Colorado massacre, especially since the details of the private lives of the people involved have been displayed in the tabloid magazines and television talk shows every day. Thus, the press has an obligation to publish the details of the private lives of all of the people involved in this case.

A reasoning error in the argument is that:

A. It incorrectly assumes that just because the public in interested in some topic, they are also interested in the private lives of the people involved.
B. The reasons given in support of the conclusion presuppose the truth of that conclusion.
C. The argument employs a key term or phrase in two different meanings.
D. The argument assumes that just because the press has a duty to publish something, it should publish it.
E. It bases the conclusion on the unwarranted assumption that whatever is in the public interest to have published ought to be published.
Show more
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