Psychics claim that certain events are destined to occur in the future

Question

Psychics claim that certain events are destined to occur in the future and can be predicted accurately by someone with clairvoyant abilities. For example, a psychic may predict that a certain woman is destined to meet a man while waiting at the airport and fall in love with him, only to be later betrayed by him. Obviously, however, a person about whom a prediction has been made can, with knowledge of the prediction, alter his or her behavior to prevent the predicted event from occurring. Thus, the woman in the example could avoid airports in an attempt to avoid betrayal by the man she would meet.  Thus, it seems that psychics must hold that destiny can be avoided.

The bolded phrase plays which of the following roles in the argument above?

(A) It points out the absurd consequences that follow from the claim of the psychics combined with another observation.
(B) It presents the conclusion advocated by the psychics.
(C) It shows that no predictions will be fulfilled when the people involved are aware of the prediction.
(D) It presents evidence that supports the claim made by the psychics.
(E) It presents a general principle supporting the claim of the psychics.

hinasingh · Answer

Psychics Claim - "Psychics claim that certain events are destined to occur in the future and can be predicted accurately by someone with clairvoyant abilities. For example, a psychic may predict that a certain woman is destined to meet a man while waiting at the airport and fall in love with him, only to be later betrayed by him." 
Observation - "Obviously, however, a person about whom a prediction has been made can, with knowledge of the prediction, alter his or her behavior to prevent the predicted event from occurring. Thus, the woman in the example could avoid airports in an attempt to avoid betrayal by the man she would meet.  Thus, it seems that psychics must hold that destiny can be avoided  ()."
The bold statement is a conclusion drawn from the Psychics claim and the observation of the author.

The bolded phrase plays which of the following roles in the argument above?

(A) It points out the absurd consequences that follow from the claim of the psychics combined with another observation. Correct. Hold
(B) It presents the conclusion advocated by the psychics. Incorrect - the bold statement is a conclusion drawn by the author and not the psychics. 
(C) It shows that no predictions will be fulfilled when the people involved are aware of the prediction. Incorrect - the bolded phrase says it seems that, however, option C says No predictions will be fulfilled - extreme answer choice.
(D) It presents evidence that supports the claim made by the psychics. Incorrect. The bolded phrase is not an evidence presented to support the claim of the psychics, rather, it is a conclusion drawn from the claim of psychics and another observation.
(E) It presents a general principle supporting the claim of the psychics. Incorrect - the bolded phrase is not supporting the claim of the psychics.
Answer A.

Kattu404 · Answer

Question: Psychics claim that certain events are destined to occur in the future and can be predicted accurately by someone with clairvoyant abilities. For example, a psychic may predict that a certain woman is destined to meet a man while waiting at the airport and fall in love with him, only to be later betrayed by him. Obviously, however, a person about whom a prediction has been made can, with knowledge of the prediction, alter his or her behavior to prevent the predicted event from occurring. Thus, the woman in the example could avoid airports in an attempt to avoid betrayal by the man she would meet. Thus, it seems that psychics must hold that destiny can be avoided.

The stem starts with a claim "Psychics claim that certain events are destined to occur".
Further to this stem is an argument with an example of a certain prediction and how that certain prediction can be manipulated thereby neglecting the stated claim.
The bold phase finally presents conclusion of the author counterfeiting the stated claim of psychics.

(A) It points out the absurd consequences that follow from the claim of the psychics combined with another observation. (Correct answer)
(B) It presents the conclusion advocated by the psychics. (Psychics advocate "Certain event's are destined to occur", the bold phased presents conclusion of author)
(C) It shows that no predictions will be fulfilled when the people involved are aware of the prediction. (Irrelevant)
(D) It presents evidence that supports the claim made by the psychics. (Psychics claim is opposed not supported)
(E) It presents a general principle supporting the claim of the psychics. (Same as D).

AbhishekDhanraJ72 · Answer

@bunnuelThe bolded phrase plays the role of (A) in the argument above. It points out the absurd consequences that follow from the claim of the psychics combined with another observation. The phrase highlights the logical inconsistency in the psychics' claim that certain events are destined to occur while also acknowledging that individuals can alter their behavior to prevent the predicted events from happening. This leads to the conclusion that psychics must hold that destiny can be avoided, as the behavior of individuals can be changed based on their knowledge of the prediction.

Psychics claim that certain events are destined to occur in the future

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Psychics claim that certain events are destined to occur in the future

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