Conclusion Flashcards
“Conclusion” questions are what type of family?
The “must be true/prove” family.
In which;
The stimuli proves the answer choice
The correct answer must be supported by and logically fit the facts in the passage
When i see a question stem asking …
“which of these **conclusions **is best supported by the passage”
the correct answer must ….
- be true , i.e. logically supported by facts in the passage (whether it brings in new information or not
- may capture the main point or may be an inference
- If i narrow down to 2 choices that are supported by what the passage says, i pick the option that captures main point best.
- I Fact test this by asking- can i highlight a sentence in the passage that directly supports this without assumptions?
Indicators of a “conclusion” question ….
Passage
* contains only a set of facts with no paradox/discrepancy
Question stem
* “which of the following conclusions is best supported by the information above?”
* “If the statement above is true… they most strongly support…”
* “Which of the following best express the main point”…
* “The author is arguing that….”
Strategy for answering “conclusion” questions
- Identify if the passage is an argument / a set of facts. Conclusion questions usually will be a set of facts.
- Determine the logical relationship & structure: Examine each fact, statement by statement. How does statement 2 connect logically to statement 1 , 3 to 2 and so on.
- What is the scope/extent of the passage?
Look for
- modifiers.
- probability indicators
- scope indicators - What is the authors intent/purpose for this passage ? Do i fully understand this passage?
- What is the question stem realy asking?
- What does each answer option realy say/mean?
- Does the stimuli prove that the ans choice is true? - can i highlight a statement in the passage that directly supports this answer choice without additional assumptions?
Incorrect answer types in conclusion questions
- answer choices not supported by the passage
- answer choices that extend far beyond what the passage really says
- answer choices related to the passage but not supported by it.
- answer choice that says the opposite of what the passage says
Strategy
for 1 - notice key details
for 2 - notice the extent of what the option says
for 3 - notice the nature of what the passage says
for 4- notice the direction of the passage
Final Checklist to Prevent Overthinking
- Question Type: Is this “Must Be True”?
- Premises Only: Am I adding assumptions?
- Math/Timeline: Have I translated words into numbers or vice versa?
- No New Info: Does the answer rely on external beliefs?
- Why Test: Can I highlight text proving this answer? or can i highlight statements in the passage that produce a direct inference that supports this answer?
whenever you see an assumption question for the argument ….
A plan will reduce/increase an outcome
What should you take note of?
- The increase/reduction of the outcome can be 100%
- The Increase/reduction of the outcome can also be 1%
- an answer choice saying “everyone complies” or suggesting a “100% reduction” is ❌
- An answer choice saying “at least some reduction” or “≥1% change” is ✅
When you see…
Something is difficult
think…
Difficult does not mean impossible.
Difficult does not exclude 100% compliance/acheivable.
T/F?
Passage: Increasing A can cause B to reduce.
Answer : Reducing A can cause B to increase
False
Beware of Causeal Reversal
Any answer choice that reverses the relationship of a cause and effect claim (withouth the passage saying this) is ** wrong**
T/F?
If you cannot find a statement in the passage that directly supports an answer choice, that answer choice is wrong
False
For “Most Strongly Supported- Must be true family type questions”, answers often require combining premises logically , not just matching a single sentence.
Always ensure you fully digest & understand each sentence, connect the next to the previous ones as you read further to make inferences that are not explicitly stated in the passage (mathematical or non maths inferences).
