Q20 - Graphologists claim that it is possible

[backupbecool]

I originally put C, and looking back on it, I understand why it is wrong. I understand why b-e is wrong as well. I do not understand how A is correct.

[bbirdwell]

Cool. So you could get this question right simply by eliminating all the super bad ones (B-E), being left with one kind of bad one, A.

(A) citing apparently incontestable evidence that leads to absurd consequences when conjoined with the view in question

Yuck! Doesn't seem like a good choice on first read, but then the others are all easily eliminated:

(B) controversial and interesting? no. platitude? no.
(C) never be effective? no.
(D) no theoretical justification? no.
(E) can be detected without it? no.

Now play the matching game with A.

What apparently incontestable evidence? The "Obviously" gives this away. The "incontestable evidence" = "ppl can alter handwriting..."

What is the "view in question"? Well, it's the graphologists' claim that permanent traits can be detected thru handwriting.

Now, what "absurd consequences" do these two ideas lead to when combined? The conclusion of the argument! That "permanent traits can be changed." This is absurd because it's a contradiction! By definition, if they can be changed, they're not permanent! If they're permanent, they cannot be changed!

See it now?

[charleneroche]

-That was an awesome explanation why "a" is the correct answer choice.
-what question type is this? the question stem says "The argument against graphology proceeds by"?

[mahamansoor]

-That was an awesome explanation why "a" is the correct answer choice.
-what question type is this? the question stem says "The argument against graphology proceeds by"?

It's a form of 'Method of Reasoning' answer choice.

[Mab6q]

-That was an awesome explanation why "a" is the correct answer choice.
-what question type is this? the question stem says "The argument against graphology proceeds by"?

It's a form of 'Method of Reasoning' answer choice.

Yup, sure is. I want to add that A is not a good choice because of the inclusion of incontestable, but when it comes to these Method questions that appear at the end of LR sections, you have to be careful about eliminating answer choices that don't match up perfectly with the method you might have prephrased after reading the stimulus.

[jwms]

-That was an awesome explanation why "a" is the correct answer choice.
-what question type is this? the question stem says "The argument against graphology proceeds by"?

It's a form of 'Method of Reasoning' answer choice.

Yup, sure is. I want to add that A is not a good choice because of the inclusion of incontestable, but when it comes to these Method questions that appear at the end of LR sections, you have to be careful about eliminating answer choices that don't match up perfectly with the method you might have prephrased after reading the stimulus.

Incontestable is modified by 'apparently', so TCR is actually making light of the argument, pointing out that the evidence hasn't been substantiated. I don't think this is anything less than a good choice, really, and it struck me as absolutely correct on first read.

[WeiW222]

Can anyone kindly provide an example of {theoretical justification} as indicated in (D)?

Many thanks!