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Information and IdeasHardInference from a pattern of complaints

Information and Ideas practice question

A council's log shows that complaints about the town clock being wrong come in clusters: none for weeks, then a dozen in three days, then none again. The clock is wound by hand every Monday. This suggests that ____

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. A. the clock runs down and shows the wrong time when a Monday winding is missed.Correct
  2. B. residents only notice the clock in winter.
  3. C. the clock is never wrong.
  4. D. the complaints are all from one person.

Answer: A. the clock runs down and shows the wrong time when a Monday winding is missed.

Clusters of complaints against a weekly winding: a missed winding stops the clock.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. residents only notice the clock in winter.
Nothing about seasons.
C. the clock is never wrong.
A dozen complaints in three days suggests it was wrong.
D. the complaints are all from one person.
A dozen in three days suggests many observers.

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