Logical reasoning PrepTest 103 · Section 2 · Question 8

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Main Point

Stimulus Summary:
Judgment - The welfare state is impossible
Why? - It rests on a seemingly false assumption (people are unselfish)
Why is that assumption false? - People seek their own well-being

Answer Anticipation:
There's a lot more subtlety to this argument than we noted in our summary, but we don't need to be subtle—this is a Main Point question!

The argument starts with a claim that seems to need support—whenever someone claims that a given thing "cannot be successfully" implemented (or any similar prediction/judgment), it's likely the conclusion and in need of support. That contention is supported here by the use of "because" to follow it up—a reason is provided.

That reason here is that it rests on a false assumption. And then the rest of the argument goes on to show how that assumption is likely false, supporting this intermediate conclusion.

So the opening clause receives support, that itself receives support. That means the opening clause is the main point of the argument.

Answer Explanation:
This answer reflects the opening clause, which is supported by the rest of the stimulus, making it the main point and the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
Look for judgments and for structural keywords in Main Point questions, and don't feel the need to fully dive into the subtlety of the argument if you know what is being supported by the rest of the argument.

Incorrect. This answer is close to a premise (though it adds in "unfairly," which is an opinion word that the author doesn't use or suggest).

Incorrect. This is the "because" clause, so while it receives support and is thus a conclusion, it supports the opening clause and is thus an intermediate conclusion, not the main point.

Incorrect. There's no discussion of interests "imping[ing]" on each other here, so this answer is out of scope.

Incorrect. This is a premise that builds into the intermediate conclusion, so it's not the main point.