Evaluate the Argument

Question 1

when answering an evaluate the argument question we should ask ourselves what?

Answer 1

“Hey - what information would help us decide whether the plan or proposal will work or whether the conclusion of the argument is valid?’”

Question 2

evaluate the argument questions share a strong similarity with which other kind of question?

Answer 2

identify the assumption questions - often we will need to be on the lookout for missing information in an argument that must be true in order for it to work

Question 3

how do you use the “yes/no” test in evaluate the argument questions?

Answer 3

for each answer choice view the answer to the hypothetical answer choice as “yes” and “no”. If when doing so, that answer choice has a material affect on the logic of the argument (strengthens or weakens It), then that piece of information would be helpful in evaluating the argument, and is thus the correct answer. If you assuming yes/no to an answer makes you say “so what”, then that answer is not helpful in evaluating the argument and is an incorrect answer

Question 4

1st ETA Answer type: Questions that can be answered yes/no

Answer 4

ask yes/no to see if doing so lets you weaken or strengthen the argument. If yes, correct answer, if no, incorrecrt answer

Question 5

2nd ETA Answer type: question that can be answered in two ways that are not “Yes/no”

Answer 5

instead of yes/no, choose two opposing extreme versions of the question. ex: answer choice says “What percentage of lower income NYC residents travel to Manhattan by subway rather than by car”
extreme choice 1: “Almost all of lower income NYC residents travel to Manhattan by subway rather than by car”
extreme choice 2: “Only 1% of lower income NYC residents travel to Manhattan by subway rather than by car”

Question 6

3rd ETA Answer type: open ended question

Answer 6

try some example answers to the open ended question and see if any affect the conclusion. if they do, then maybe it could be the correct answer..

Question 7

4th ETA Answer type: Answer choices that are statements rather than questions

Answer 7

the statement itself will either weaken or strengthen the argument, so you don’t have to come up with any questions based on the answer choice, just see if the statement has any affect on the argument

Question 8

Incorrect Answer Type 1:

Answer 8

Highlights information that is pertinent to the topic that the argument is about but does not affect the argument

Question 9

Incorrect Answer Type 2:

Answer 9

Brings up an irrelevant comparison… comparisons can be a good tool for strengthening or weakening an argument, but only if it is relevant

Question 10

Incorrect Answer Type 3:

Answer 10

Highlights info that misses the point and affects the wrong conclusion