Multiple choice

Which of the following, if true, exposes a serious flaw in the argument made in the second sentence above?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

Although allied with the United States in public, the governments of many Arab nations in the Middle East privately dislike America for supporting the Zionist State of Israel, which they see as the regional bully. The reasoning of these Arab governments is erroneous as United States is arming Israel only for the purpose of self-defense, as Israel is surrounded by hostile nation states.

  1. Being surrounded by hostile nations does not mean that those nations will attack Israel.

  2. United States is mistaking terrorist violence in Israel with threat from neighboring nations.

  3. Offense and defense are the two sides of the same coin.

  4. Israel's overt saber rattling is for show only; it's not a threat of war.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

(1) Incorrect. Being surrounded by hostile nations would prompt Israel to arm itself in self-defense. (2) Incorrect. The option is irrelevant to the given argument. (3) Correct. The argument asks the test taker to identify how the belief that the Arab belief is erroneous is wrong. The option has to prove that what the Arab leadership is thinking is indeed right. This option summarizes that the same arms that will be used for defense can also be used for offense. (4) Incorrect. This will strengthen the belief that the Arab leadership is wrong in believing that Israel is spoiling for a fight. (5) Incorrect. This will reinforce the belief that Israel is justifiably paranoid.

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