Argument Questions

Question 1

What three things should you look for in each argument?

Answer 1

Conclusion
Premise
Assumption

Question 2

Main Point Actions

• The main conclusion drawn in the author’s argument is that….
• The argument is structured to lead to which one of the following conclusions.

Answer 2

• Identify the conclusion and premise
• Use the Why Test and then match your conclusion with the answer choices
• Don’t fall for the opposite
• When down to two choices, look for extreme language.-

Question 3

Necessary Assumption Actions
- The argument above assumes which of the following?

• The writer’s argument depends upon assuming which of the following..

Answer 3

• Identify the conclusion, premises, and assumptions of the author
• If having trouble finding the assumption, look for the gap between the two different ideas.
• The assumption will strengthen the author’s conclusion
• When down to two choices, negate each to see if they fall apart.

Question 4

Sufficient Assumption Recognition

Answer 4

• Which of the following, if assumed, would enable the conclusion to be properly drawn?
• The conclusion follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?

Question 5

Sufficient Assumption Actions

Answer 5

Identify the conclusion, premises, and assumptions of the author.

• Look for language in the conclusion that is nto accounted for in the premise.
• Paraphrase an answer that would strongly connect the premises to the conclusion and shore up the language gap.
• Eliminate answer choices that bring in new information.

Question 6

Weaken Recognition

Answer 6

• Which one of the following, if true, would most undermine the author’s conclusion?
• Which of the following statement, if true, would most call into question the results achieved by the scientists.

Question 7

Weaken Actions

Answer 7

• Identify the conclusion, premises, and assumptions of the author
• Read critically, looking for instances in which the author made large leaps in logic.
• Then, when you go to the answer choices, look for a choice that has the most negative impact on that leap in logic.
• Assume all choices to be true.

Question 8

Strengthen Recognition

Answer 8

• Which one of the following statements, if true, would most support the author’s conclusion/
• Which one of the following statements, if true, would strengthen the author’s argument
• Which of the following principles, if established, justifies, the conclusion drawn in the argument above?

Question 9

Strengthen Actions

Answer 9

• Identify the conclusion, premises, and assumptions of the author
• Read critically, looking for where the author made large leaps in logic
• Look for the answer choice that has the most positive impact on that gap
• Assume all answer choices to be true

Question 10

Resolve/Explain Recognition

Answer 10

• Which one of the following provides the best resolution to the apparent paradox described by the committee member?
• Which of the following statements, if true, would explain the discrepancy found by the scientists

Question 11

Resolve/Explain Actions

Answer 11

• Identify the apparent discrepancy or paradox
• Look for the answer that allows both facts from the argument to be true.
• Assume all choices are true

Question 12

Inference Recognition

Answer 12

• Which one of the following statements can be validly inferred from the information above?
• If the statements above are true, then which of the folowing must also be true?
• Which one of the following conclusion can ve validly drawn from the passage above.
• Which one of the following conclusion is best supported by the passage above?

Question 13

Inference Actions

Answer 13

• Pay close attention to qualifying language, then go to the answer choices
• Cross off any answer choices that are not directly supported by evidence in the passage.
• Look for relevance and extreme language
• Use contrapositive if there are “if…then” statements in the answers.

Question 14

Reasoning Recognition

Answer 14

The argument proceeds by..

• Leah responds to Kevin by doing which of the following
• The method the activist uses to object to the developers arguments is to….
• Dr. Jacobs does which of the following?

Question 15

Reasoning Actions

Answer 15

• Describe what is happening in your own words, focusing on the conclusion and premise
• Apple description to all of the answer choices
• Compare answers to the argument.
• Cross out anything that didn’t appear in the passage

Question 16

Flaw Recognition

Answer 16

Which of the following indicates a flaw in the author’s reasoning?

• A criticism of the arguments would most likely emphasize that it…
• The reasoning in the arguments is most vulnurable to criticism on the grounds that the argument…
• The argument above relies on which of the following questionable techniques?

Question 17

Flaw Actions

Answer 17

• Break down the argument into it’s part; the flaw is usually related to the assumption
• State the problem in your own words
• Look for the answer with the same problem as the argument
• Eliminate the answers that don’t match

Question 18

Principle/Match Recognition

Answer 18

• The reasoning above most closely conforms to which of the following principles?
• Which one of the following examples conforms most closely to the principle given in the argument?

Question 19

Principle Match Actions

Answer 19

• Know which direction the answer flows

- Look for an answer that has the same principles.

Question 20

Parrallel-the-Reasoning Recognition

Answer 20

• Which on of the following is most similar in reasoning to the argument above.
• The flawed pattern of reasoning exgibited by the arguments avobe is most similar to that in which of the following?

Question 21

Parrallel-the-Reasoning Actions

Answer 21

• Will contain either flawed or valid reasoning
• Diagram the argument, then diagram the answers
• Do not chose an answer that fixes a flawed argument.
• Save for last

Question 22

What are the different symbolized clues?

Answer 22

• Range Clue: B - A - C
• Anti block Clue:
• Block Clue
• Inventory Clue
• Distribution Clue