Chapter 3: The Question Stem and Answer Choices

Question 1

Question Stem Tasks

Answer 1

• identify details of the stimulus
• describe the structure of the argument
• strengthen or weaken the argument
• identify inferences, main points, and assumptions
• recognize errors of reasoning
• reconcile conflicts
• find arguments that are identical in structure

Question 2

Primary Objective #5

Answer 2

carefully read and identify the question stem. do not assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain question types.

Question 3

Thirteen Logical Reasoning Question Types

Answer 3

1. Must be true/most supported
2. Main point
3. Point at issue/Point of agreement
4. Assumption (Necessary Assumption)
5. Justify the conclusion (Sufficient Assumption)
6. Strengthen/Support
7. Reolve the paradox
8. Weaken
9. Method of Reasoning
10. Flaw in Reasoning
11. Parallel Reasoning/ Parallel FLaw
12. Evaluate the Argument
13. Cannot Be True

Question 4

Must Be True

Answer 4

You identify the answer choice that is best proven by the info in the stimulus.

“If the statements above are true, which one of the following must be true?”
“Which one of the following can be properly inferred from the passage?”

Question 5

Main Point

Answer 5

Find the primary conclusion made by the author in the stimulus

“the main point of the argument is that…”

Question 6

Point of Issue/Point of Agreement

Answer 6

• requires you to identify a point of contention between two speakers, most likely a two speaker stimuli
• Identify the point of agreement between two speaker, most likely a two speaker stimuli

• “they disagree about whether, they agree about which of the following.”

Question 7

Assumption (Necessary Assumption)

Answer 7

identify an assumption of the authors argument

“….assumption required by the argument above”

Question 8

Justify the Conclusion (Sufficient Assumption)

Answer 8

These question stems ask you to supply a piece of information that, when added to the premises, proves the conclusion .

“Which one of the following, if assumed, allows the conclusion above to be properly drawn”

Question 9

Strengthen/ support

Answer 9

You select the answer choice that provides support for thhe authors argument or strengthens it in some way (a little or a lot)

“Which one of teh following, if true, most strengthhens the argument”
Which one of the following, if true, most strongly supports the statements above”

Question 10

Weaken

Answer 10

You have to attack or undermine the authors argument

“Which of teh following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?”

Question 10

Resolve the Paradox

Answer 10

It constains a discrepancy or seeming contradiction, you have to find the answer choice that best resolves the situation.

Which one of the following, if true, would most effectively resolve the apparent paradox above

Question 11

Method of Reasoning

Answer 11

Describe in abstract terms terms, the way the author made their argument

“Which of the following describes the technique of reasoning used above?”

Question 12

Flaw in the Reasoning

Answer 12

Asks you to describe in abstract terms, the error of reasoning committed by the author

The reasoning in the argument is flawed because this argument?”

Question 13

Parallel Reasoning/Parallel Flaw

Answer 13

find the answer choice that contains reasoning most similar in structure to the reasoning presented in the stimulus

“Which one of the following arguments is most similar in its pattern of reasoning to the argument above”

Question 14

Evaluate the Argument

Answer 14

You decide which answer choice will allow you to determine the logical validity of the argument

“The answer to which one of the following questions qould contribute most to an evaluation of the argument?”

Question 15

Cannot Be True

Answer 15

Identify the answer choice that cannot be true or is most weakened based on the information in the stimulus.

If the statements above are true, which one of the following CANNOT be true?