The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Based on the principles of logical reasoning and textual analysis, here is the correct categorization for the statements provided in the image.
Correct Answer:
- This is a Reasonable Generalization or Conclusion:
- The student who wrote this is likely studying to become a doctor.
- This is NOT a Reasonable Generalization or Conclusion:
- The student loves the colors red and shiny blue.
Explanation
A reasonable generalization or conclusion is an inference that is logically supported by evidence found within a source text. It requires a justified leap from specific details to a broader idea. In contrast, an unreasonable conclusion is an assumption that lacks sufficient evidence or makes a jump in logic that the text cannot support.
The statement, “The student who wrote this is likely studying to become a doctor,” is categorized as a potentially reasonable conclusion. For this statement to be valid, the source text would need to contain specific clues. For instance, if the writing used advanced medical terminology, discussed complex biological processes, or analyzed a patient’s case study, it would be logical to infer that the author has specialized knowledge in the medical field. The conclusion is not a certainty, but it is a probable inference based on the content and vocabulary of the writing. It connects the evidence in the text to the likely background of the author.
On the other hand, the statement, “The student loves the colors red and shiny blue,” is an unreasonable conclusion. This type of statement makes a definitive claim about the author’s personal emotions and preferences, which is very difficult to prove from a text. A source might mention “a red barn” or “a shiny blue car” as simple descriptive details. To leap from the mere mention of these colors to the conclusion that the author “loves” them is a significant overreach. There is no evidence to support this emotional connection. It confuses objective description with subjective feeling, making it an unsupported and therefore unreasonable generalization.
