Question Types

Question 1

• “Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the argument?”
• “Which one of the following most accurately expresses the conclusion of the journalist’s argument?”
• “Which one of the following most accurately restates the main point of the passage?”
• “The main point of the argument is that”

Answer 1

Main Point
Correct Answer:
-A paraphrase of the final conclusion
Incorrect Answer:
-Hide conclusion in the middle or beginning
-Use a conclusion indicator for a subconclusion
-Paraphrase of a premise
-New information
-Exaggeration

Question 2

• “If the statements above are true, which one of the following must also be true?”
• “If the information above is correct, which one of the following conclusions can be properly drawn on the basis of it?”
• “The statements above, if true, most strongly support which one of the following?”
• “Which one of the following can be properly inferred from the passage?”
• “Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the information above?”

Answer 2

Must Be True
Correct Answer:
-Paraphrase (of anything)
-Combination (A-B-C if A=B and B=C then A=C)
Incorrect Answer:
-New information
-Exaggeration
-Opposite
-Opinion vs. assertion
-Shell game (shuffle words to make new sentence)

Question 3

• “Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?”
• “Which one fo the following, if true, most strongly supports the statement above?”
• “Which one of the following, if true, does most to justify the conclusion above?”
• “Each of the following, if true, supports the claim above except”

Answer 3

Strengthening
Correct Answer:
-Strengthen the exact conclusion 1-100%
Incorrect Answer:
-Strengthen a slightly different conclusion
-Opposite (weaken)
-No effect
-With a logical fallacy

Question 4

• “Which one of the following most accurately describes a flaw in the argument’s reasoning?”
• “The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the ground that the argument”
• “The reasoning above is flawed because it fails to recognize that”
• “A questionable aspect of the reason above is that it”
• “The reasoning in the argument is flawed because the argument”

Answer 4

Flaw in Reasoning
Correct Answer:
-An abstract description of the flaw
Incorrect Answer:
-Description of a different flaw
-New information
-True but not flawed (think if it matters that it took place)

Question 5

• “Which one of the following, if true, most calls into question the claim above?”
• “Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?”
• “Which one of the following, if true, most undermines the researcher’s argument?”
• “Which one of the following, if shown to be a realistic possibility, would undermine the argument?”
• “Which one of the following, if true, would most call into question the analysts’ explanation of the price increase?”
• “Which one of the following, if true, could be used by Cora to counter Bernard’s rejection of her explanation?”
• “Which one of the following, if true, is the strongest logical counter parent P can make to parent Q’s objection?”

Answer 5

Weakening
Correct Answer:
-Weaken the exact conclusion 1-100%
-If it weakens at all
Incorrect Answer:
-Weaken a slightly different conclusion
-Opposite (strengthen)
-No effect
-With a logical fallacy

Question 6

• “The method of the argument is to”
• “The argument proceeds by”
• “The argument derives its conclusion by”
• “Which one of the following describes the technique of reasoning used above?”
• “Which one of the following is an argumentative strategy employed in the argument?”
• “The argument employs which one fo the following reasoning techniques?”
• “Aiesha responds to Adam’s argument by”

Answer 6

Method of Reasoning
Correct Answer:
-An abstract description of an argument or part of the argument
Incorrect Answer:
-Half right, half wrong
-Exaggeration
-Opposite
-New information