Logical reasoning PrepTest 107 · Section 4 · Question 4

Flawed

Strengthen with Necessary Premise Questions

Phenomenon - TV talk shows have mainstream political views

Explanation 1 - The TV stations have a political agenda

Pivot/Goal - TV stations want to make money by getting large audiences

Conclusion - This is the real explanation for the mainstream political views

Now, to the argument itself. It’s an interesting mix of two of our common patterns. There’s a Phenomenon presented (the mainstream views on TV talk shows), and an Explanation for it. However, the Author then pivots to a Goal of TV stations, which calls that explanation into question. From that, it concludes that the Goal is the real explanation for bland/innocuous political views on these shows.

Since we’re looking for an assumption made by the author of the passage, let’s focus on that half of the argument. There, we learn that the goal of the TV stations is to make money by having a large audience. This is why, the Author contends, they air bland and innocuous political views.

However, two issues there. First, there’s no indication that such views will lead to a large audience! Maybe people watch TV talk shows to listen to people they disagree with, or to hear outlandish arguments. The Author here is assuming that bland/innocuous political views lead to viewers, so let’s find an answer making that connection. Second, the stimulus is about mainstream political views, but the Author shifts to discussing bland/innocuous views. Maybe the mainstream views are actually outlandish! This shift in concepts is another thing we can look for answers about.