Jim, Who Is 60, Could Not Understand Why He Kept

question 124

Multiple Choice

Jim, who is 60, could not understand why he kept slowly gaining weight. He was eating the same amount of food that he had each day since he was 20, and he got regular exercise. What could explain his weight gain?

• A) His metabolism had slowed down.
• B) He is likely very ill; this situation is very unusual.
• C) He really was not gaining weight; his height was decreasing.
• D) He overate due to regular exercise.

---

Definitions:

Validity

The characteristic of being based on valid logic or actual evidence; in the realm of logic, it pertains to the situation where the premises naturally lead to the conclusion.

Syllogism

An approach to infer a conclusion based on two assumed or specified propositions.

Extended Argument

A complex, detailed argument involving multiple steps, premises, and conclusion designed to persuade or inform.

Syllogistic Step

A part of syllogistic reasoning, where a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed propositions (premises).