How to solve arguments

Question 0

How to solve necessary assumption questions

Answer 0

1. Identify conclusion, premises, and assumptions of author
2. If having trouble finding assumption look for gap between 2 ideas in argument
3. Assumption will always at least mildly strengthen authors conclusion and is necessary for the conclusion to follow from info provided
4. When down to 2 negate each statement to see if argument falls apart. If it does, that’s our answer

Question 1

How do you solve main point questions?

Answer 1

1. Identify conclusion and premises
2. Use the why test and match conclusion against answer choices
3. Don’t fall for opposites
4. When down to 2 choices look for extreme wording and relevance

Question 2

How to solve sufficient assumption questions

Answer 2

1. Identify conclusion, premises, and assumption
2. Look for language in conclusion that isn’t accounted for in premise
3. Paraphrase an answer that would strongly connect premise to conclusion and shore up the language gap
4. Eliminate answer choices that bring in new info

Question 3

How to solve weaken questions

Answer 3

1. Identify conclusion, premises, and assumptions
2. Read critically, looking for instances in which the author made large leaps in logic
3. Look for choice that has the most negative impact on the logic leap
4. Assume all choices to be hypothetically true

Question 4

How to solve strengthen questions

Answer 4

1. Identify conclusion, premises, and assumptions
2. Read critically looking for large leaps in logic
3. Look for choice hat has most positive impact on logic gap
4. Assume all choices to be hypothetically true

Question 5

How to solve resolve/explain questions

Answer 5

1. Identify apparent discrepancy or paradox
2. Go to answers and look for a piece of info that, when added to the argument, allows both facts from the argument to be true
3. Assume all choices to be hypothetically true

Question 6

How to solve inference questions

Answer 6

1. Read carefully paying close attention to qualifying language then go to answers
2. Cross off any choices that aren’t directly supported by evidence in passage
3. Look for relevance and extreme language to eliminate choices
4. Use contrapositive if there are “if…then” statements contained in passage and answers

Question 7

How to solve reasoning questions

Answer 7

1. Read argument carefully and describe what is happening in your own words, focusing on authors conclusion and premises
2. Take this description and rigorously apply it to all choices
3. Use technique of comparing actions described in the answer choices against those that actually occur in the argument
4. Cross out anything that doesn’t appear in argument

Question 8

How to solve flaw questions

Answer 8

1. Break down argument into parts; flaw is usually related to assumption
2. State in your own words why problem with argument is
3. Try to match actions described in answer choice with those of argument itself. Look for choice that has same problem you found
4. Eliminate answers that don’t match; look for answer that addresses assumption

Question 9

How to solve principle match questions

Answer 9

1. Make sure you know which direction the argument flows. Are you being asked to find a principle that conforms to a situation, or a situation that conforms to a principle?
2. Look for answer that matches most closely to the general principle underlying the argument

Question 10

How to solve parallel the reasoning questions

Answer 10

1. Will either contain flawed or valid reasoning; question will tip you off
2. Try to diagram argument and them diagram each of the answer choices, comparing each one to the diagram you came up with for the argument itself
3. If argument is flawed, be careful not to choose an answer that fixes it
4. Save these questions for last