Logical reasoning PrepTest 130 · Section 3 · Question 25

Incorrect. This answer is the view that the author establishes with an, "Although," highlighting that she believes it to be true but it's not the real point of her argument. She then pivots to her view on across-the-board income tax cuts, and pivoting away from a statement is generally a sign that it's not the main point.

Incorrect. Both possibilities the author explores of what will happen after these tax cuts happen assume that there won't be a large enough increase in revenue to make up for it, but an assumption isn't the main point of an argument, and this one relates to the premises, anyway.

Incorrect. The conclusion is about income taxes, which are progressive taxes, so this answer about nonprogressive taxes is incorrect.

Incorrect. This answer brings up one of the two possibilities the author uses to show that across-the-board income tax cuts benefit the wealthy, but she brings up two to lead to the same conclusion, so this isn't the main point.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Valid

Question Type:
Main Point

Stimulus Summary:
"Although" - Cutting taxes at the top income brackets helps the rich
Pivot - So does cutting taxes across the board
Why? Income taxes are progressive, so . . .
(1) If total revenue stays the same, then other taxes have to be increased
(2) If total revenue goes down, then the deficit will increase, driving up interest rates
Both of these help the rich

Answer Anticipation:
There's a relatively rare structural indicator word here that's very helpful in determining what the conclusion is—"Although." This word highlights that the author is bringing up a concession to another viewpoint, or a fact that aligns with her argument but is a bit besides the point. And in the same sentence, there's going to be a pivot to what the real point is—in other words, these statements usually pivot to the main point of the argument.

Here, the stimulus pivots to the idea that across-the-board income tax cuts benefit the wealthy. The argument then goes on to show that there are two potential outcomes from such cuts, and both benefit the wealthy—which supports the pivot statement. As such, that is the main point of the argument, so we should look for an answer stating that across-the-board income tax cuts will benefit the wealthy.

Answer Explanation:
This answer reflects the statement the author pivots to in the "Although" statement. That statement is then supported by an exploration of the two possible implications of the tax cuts, both leading to a benefit to the wealthy. Structural and logical elements lead to this being the main point, so this is the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
"Although" statements have two pieces. The first half (the "Although" portion) is usually a:
(1) Concession to an opposing point
(2) Fact or conclusion that the author believes to be true but is besides the point
(3) Fact that seems to cut against her conclusion, but actually supports it or at least doesn't undermine it
The other part of the statement is generally the main point of the argument.