Logical reasoning PrepTest 129 · Section 2 · Question 16

Incorrect. It is the main conclusion of the argument. It's also the only conclusion! The first statement is background, and the first half of the second sentence is an opposing point. The two statements following the statement in question are both support for it, providing reasons that the software doesn't live up to the claims made on its behalf (that "And" linking them is a strong indicator that they serve the same purpose in the argument, and they can't both be intermediate conclusions, as then there'd be no premise).

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Valid

Question Type:
Argument Structure

Stimulus Summary:
While some claim that it's labor-saving, dictation software doesn't save labor because:

(1) The labor-intensive part of writing is thinking, not typing
(2) The software's output has errors that need to be fixed, eating up any time saved

Answer Anticipation:
That first statement is background, describing what dictation software is before going into a discussion of its value.

Right after that background, the LSAT uses a great structural word—"Although." This word introduces something that is going to be pivoted away from—and frequently, it'll pivot to the main point. Here, the pivot is an opinion on the claims made by proponents of dictation software—the software fails to live up to those claims. This is the statement in question, and it's an opinion of the value of dictation software, so it's looking like the main point.

The next two statements explain why the software fails to live up to the hype, thus serving as support for the Reviewer's opinion of dictation software. The statement in question is the main point of the argument.

Answer Explanation:
This answer reflects that the statement in question is the main point of the argument and its only conclusion.

Key Takeaway:
Three of these answers could be immediately eliminated if you were confident that there wasn't an intermediate conclusion in the argument. In these Argument Structure questions, intermediate conclusions are commonly featured to increase the complexity of the argument. When one isn't present, noting that can be helpful in quickly eliminating some answers.

Incorrect. There's no intermediate conclusion in this argument—just background, opposing point, two premises, and a conclusion.

Incorrect. The statement is an opinion backed up by two premises, so it's not itself a premise.

Incorrect. The statement in question is an opinion backed up by two premises, and there are no intermediate conclusions in the argument, so there's nothing correct about this answer.