LR: question stem types Flashcards
Must be true/most supported
This category is simply known as “Must Be True.” Must Be True questions ask you to identify the answer choice that is best proven by the information in the stimulus. Question stem examples:
“If the statements above are true, which one of the following must also be true?”
“Which one of the following can be properly inferred from the passage?”
Main point
Main Point questions are a variant of Must Be True questions. As you might expect, a Main Point question asks you to find the primary conclusion made by the author. Question stem example:
“The main point of the argument is that”
Point at issue/point of agreement
Point at Issue questions require you to identify a point of contention (disagreement) between two speakers, and thus these questions appear almost exclusively with two-speakers, and thus these questions appear almost exclusively with two-speaker stimuli. Question stem example:
“Jones and Smith disagree about whether”
Point of Agreement questions require you to identify a point of agreement between two speakers, and thus these questions also appear almost exclusively with two-speaker stimuli. Question stem example:
“Achelle’s and Hakim’s statements provide the most support for the claim that they agree about with one of the following?”
Assumption (necessary assumption)
These questions ask you to identify an assumption of the author’s argument. Question stem example:
“Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument above?”
Justify the conclusion (sufficient assumption)
Justify the Conclusion questions ask you to supply a piece of information that, when added to the premises, proves the conclusion. Question stem example:
“Which one of the following, if assumed, allows the conclusion above to be properly drawn?”
Strengthen/support
These questions ask you to select the answer choice that provides support for the author’s argument or strengthens it in some way. Question stem examples:
“Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?”
“Which one of the following, if true, most strongly supports the statement above?”
Resolve the paradox
Every Resolve the Paradox stimulus contains a discrepancy or seeming contradiction. You must find the answer choice that best resolves the situation. Question stem example:
“Which one of the following, if true, would most effectively resolve the apparent paradox above?
Weaken
Weaken questions ask you to attack or undermine the author’s argument. Question stem example:
“Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?
method of reasoning
Method of Reasoning questions ask you to describe, in abstract terms, the way in which the author made his or her argument. Question stem example:
“Which of the following describes the technique of reasoning used above?”
Flaw in reasoning
Flaw in the Reasoning questions ask you to describe, in abstract terms, the error of reasoning committed by the author. Question stem example:
“The reasoning in the mayor’s argument is flawed because this argument”
Parallel reasoning/parallel flaw
Parallel Reasoning questions ask you to identify the answer choice that contains reasoning most similar in structure to the reasoning presented in the stimulus. Question stem example:
“Which one of the following arguments is most similar in its pattern of reasoning to the argument above?”
Evaluate the argument
With Evaluate the Argument questions you must decide which answer choice will allow you to determine the logical validity of the argument. Question stem example:
“The answer to which one of the following questions would contribute most to an evaluation of the argument?”
Cannot be true
Cannot Be True questions ask you to identify the answer choice that cannot be true or is most weakened based on the information in the stimulus. Question stem example:
“If the statements above are true, which one of the following Cannot be true?”
