Nader.............. cold. He isn't wearing a jacket.

Question

A) must be

B) can't be

C) might be

D) must have

Answer 1

Let's complete the sentence using each answer and determine if the resulting sentence makes logical sense.

A) "Nader must be cold. He isn't wearing a jacket."

1. The use of "must" implies a necessity or strong likelihood.
2. However, the fact that he was not wearing a jacket does NOT necessitate that he was cold.
3. Therefore, to assume he was cold does not logically follow from the fact that he was not wearing a jacket.

B) "Nader can't be cold. He isn't wearing a jacket."

1. The use of "can't" implies an inability.
2. However, similar to option A, the fact that he was not wearing a jacket does NOT require that he could not be cold.
3. Therefore, to assume that he can't be cold does not logically follow from the fact that he was not wearing a jacket.

C) "Nader might be cold. He isn't wearing a jacket."

1. The use of "might" implies the possibility of something being true but also that it might not be so.
2. The fact that he was not wearing a jacket could raise the possibility that he is cold but also the possibility that he is not cold.
3. Therefore, to state that he might be cold (while leaving open the possibility that he is not cold) can logically follow from the fact that he is not wearing a jacket.

D) "Nader must have [a] cold. He isn't wearing a jacket."

1. The use of "must have" has similar problems as option A but also changes the meaning of the word cold to having a physical illness.
2. However, the fact that he was not wearing a jacket does NOT necessitate that he had a physical illness.
3. Therefore, to assume that he must have a cold does not logically follow from the fact that he was not wearing a jacket.

In my view, the most sensible option for the above statement is option C.

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

I agree with Timothy K’s answer and I too feel that option C, “Nader might be cold. He isn’t wearing a jacket” is the best answer choice.

One cannot logically conclude that because Nader isn’t wearing a jacket, he can’t be cold. Perhaps he can’t afford a jacket, forgot his jacket or lost it, or decided not to wear it because he overestimated what the temperature would be that day. There are lots of similar possibilities. He might still be cold.

Answer 3

B-- Can't be.

This is inferred from the next sentence. Because he's not wearing a jacket, he isn't cold.