Powerful Questions

Question 1

Strengthen (Correct answer)

Answer 1

The most powerful thing you can find to help the argument’s conclusion

Question 2

Strengthen (Back-up Plan)

Answer 2

Does this make the conclusion more likely to be true?

Question 3

Strengthen (Question stem keywords)

Answer 3

• Strengthen

- Most helps to + justify/strengthen/support

Question 4

Weaken (Correct answer)

Answer 4

The most powerful thing you can find to destroy the argument’s conclusion

Question 5

Weaken (Back-up Plan)

Answer 5

Does this make the conclusion less likely to be true?

Question 6

Weaken (Question stem keywords)

Answer 6

• Weaken

- Most undermines the conclusion

Question 7

Sufficient Assumption (Correct answer)

Answer 7

The most powerful thing you can find to prove the conclusion 100% valid

Question 8

Sufficient Assumption (Back-up Plan)

Answer 8

If this is true, is the argument 100% valid?

Question 9

Sufficient Assumption (Question stem keywords)

Answer 9

• Enable the conclusion to be properly drawn / the conclusion follows logically if
• Justify the conclusion

Question 10

Counter (Correct answer)

Answer 10

The most powerful thing the first speaker could say to destroy the second speaker’s argument

Question 11

Counter (Back-up Plan)

Answer 11

Is this (1) something the first speaker would say and (2) does it hurt the second speaker’s argument?

Question 12

Counter (Question stem keywords)

Answer 12

• Counter

- In response to

Question 13

Contradiction (Correct answer)

Answer 13

The thing that contradicts literal words from the stimulus

Question 14

Contradiction (Back-up Plan)

Answer 14

Does this contradict the stimulus?

Question 15

Contradiction (Question stem keywords)

Answer 15

• Cannot be true
• Violate the principle
• Could be true EXCEPT

Question 16

Evaluate (Correct answer)

Answer 16

A powerful pop quiz for the argument’s validity

Question 17

Evaluate (Back-up Plan)

Answer 17

Is this crucial for the argument’s validity?

Question 18

Evaluate (Question stem keywords)

Answer 18

• Evaluate the argument

- Most helpful to know / relevant to evaluating

Question 19

Resolution (Correct answer)

Answer 19

The most powerful thing you can find to make the paradox make sense

Question 20

Resolution (Back-up Plan)

Answer 20

Does this make the paradox make sense?

Question 21

Resolution (Question stem keywords)

Answer 21

• Most helps to + explain/resolve/account for

- Discrepancy / Paradox / Surprising result