CT Flashcards
4
What should you look out for in MC questions?
- Look for ‘trigger’ words (so, therefore, should)
- can be seen in both passageandanswers
- Does rest of passage support MC?
- Be wary of intermediate conclusions
- Can move on once answer gotten (don’t need to test all out)
1
If 2 MC answers are options, how do you select the correct one?
which answer provides reason for the other
7
List the different types of flaw/weakness questions
- Alternate explanation
- Specific example and generalisation
- Gap in logic
- Equating two ideas as same thing
- A is wrong, so B is right
- Pre-existing relationship
- Confusion with weakness/flaw
3
Describe alternate explanation (flaw/weakness)
- MC - A causes B, vice versa, or some form of relationship
- Flaw - explanation: there is outside factor (C)
- Weakens - example of flaw (govt forced to make cuts on x)
4
Describe specific example (flaw/weakness)
- entire arg based upon specific example
- study may be biased
- Flaw - explanation of generalisation based upon specific example
- Weakens - example e.g. study in x region found this not be case
3
Describe gap in logic (flaw/weakness)
- e.g. deciding between running or swimming club. Running hurts knees. Swimming club should be chosen
- Flaw - argument fails to take into account…
- Weakens - swimming bad for knees
2
Describe equating two ideas as same thing (flaw/weakness)
- interchangeably use terms e.g. punishment and imprisonment
- often includes subjective words
2
Describe pre-existing relationship (flaw/weakness)
- Assumes casual relationship - indeed this relationship will likely make sense
- yet the effect may have already been present before the cause
3
Give an example of a pre-existing relationship (flaw/weakness)
- children who do loads of english practice get higher spelling scores
- MC: therefore to improve spelling, do loads of English practice
- however - the children who did loads of English practice may have already had good spelling prior to doing this practice
2
Describe strengthen questions
- First establishargumentin passage (e.g. answer strengthens in 2014 Q17)
- makes conclusion more valid AND increases possibility of conclusion
2
What do you look out for in strengthen questions?
- Do other answers weaken rather than strengthen?
- Which most strengthens considering argument
2
How do you select DC answers?
- Typically combine arg and mc (or combine two different parts of passage)
- Is there enough information in passage to support conclusion?
4
How do you eliminate DC answers?
- go beyond the scope
- Not enough info to support answer
- Extreme language (always, never, in every case, all)
- Subjective wording (e.g. confuse ‘disappointment’ with ‘upset’) - make sure every word in answermatches passage
3
What are some important things to consider in UA questions?
- Identify main conclusion
- Focus on main arg (not sub-arg)
- Which piece of reasoning most supports that conclusion
1
What is a good method to test out UA answers?
take answer and make it negative - does argument still stand?
