PT57, S3, Q16 Critic: As modern methods of communication and

[giladedelman]

16. (C)
Question Type: Inference
Although this isn’t worded like an inference question, we can treat it like one because we’re looking for something that must be true on the basis of the statements given. The critic says that improvements in communication and transportation have increased life’s pace, and that this increased pace has led to feelings of impermanence and instability. Answer (C), probably the most boring choice, conforms to these statements: if people are having particular feelings _ impermanence and instability _ because of technological developments _improved communication and transportation _ then it must be true that technological changes can cause changes in people’s feelings.

(A) is tempting, but the argument talks about how people feel, not about whether achieving what they want is actually more difficult.
(B) is out of scope. The critic might feel this way, but his comments never address whether the disadvantages outweigh the advantages or vice versa.
(D) is also tempting. The critic does identify a perception of impermanence in contemporary life, and suggests that people don’t always know what they want. But he never suggests that the first phenomenon exacerbates the second, so this choice is incorrect.
(E) is incorrect. According to the critic, technological changes influence people’s feelings, not the other way around.

[lissethbayona]

I have also read that this type of principle question, IE "The argument above conforms to which one of the following principles?", can be approached as a necessary assumption question in that the correct answer choice will have the weakness commonly associated with necessary assumptions and will relate the evidence with the conclusion.

Is this correct? I think that approach would also work here but I am concerned that it won't always be appropriate. I think I miss these types of questions because I'm not sure what I am looking for in an answer choice after reading the question stem.