Self-study
Student: Before completing my research paper, I want to find the book from which I copied a passage to quote in the paper. Without the book, I will be unable to write an accurate citation, and without an accurate citation, I will be unable to include the quotation. Hence, since the completed paper will be much better with the quotation than without, _______.
25.
Which one of the following most logically completes the student's argument?
a
I will have to include an inaccurate citation
This answer is anti-supported. The student specifically says that the quote will not be included without an accurate citation. So even if we assume that the book is not found, the student would omit the quotation rather than writing an inaccurate citation.
b
I will be unable to complete my research paper
This answer is unsupported. Even without finding the book, there's no reason to think that the student will be unable to complete the research paper. We only know that the paper will be better with the citation.
c
if I do not find the book, my research paper will suffer
This answer is strongly supported. The paper would be better with the quote included, and finding the book is necessary to include the quote, then the paper will suffer without finding the book.
d
if I do not find the book, I will include the quotation without an accurate citation
This answer is anti-supported. Unlike (A) it doesn't assume that the student won't find the book, but the stimulus still indicates that the student would omit the quote rather than including an inaccurate citation.
e
if I do not find the book, I will be unable to complete my research paper
This answer is unsupported. Unlike (B) it doesn't assume that the student won't find the book, but there's still no reason to think the paper couldn't be completed without the quote.