Logical reasoning PrepTest 133 · Section 1 · Question 13
Question prompt
Why the credited answer is right
Credited answer: D
The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.
Question Type
Answer choices
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AEven if the company Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice A is not credited
Incorrect. The argument states that the company's behavior is unlikely to change, so this answer doesn't align with the stimulus. -
BThe light shed on Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice B is not credited
Incorrect. This was a premise, introduced by, "After all," and highlighting reasons that the trial was worthwhile. -
CThe penalty imposed on Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice C is not credited
Incorrect. There's no support offered for why the author believes this, and she pivots right after it ("Still"), so this is more of an opposing side of the argument. -
DThe company's trial on Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice D matches the stem
Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument
Valid or Flawed:
Flawed
Question Type:
Main Point
Stimulus Summary:
A monopoly was punished, but it won't change their behavior. However, useful information came out from the trial, so it was worthwhile.
Answer Anticipation:
Main Point questions are frequently driven by the indicator words that are used throughout the stimulus to structure the argument. Here, the argument uses an uncommon pivot word—"Still"—after a couple sentences to highlight that the author is moving away from a view to her argument.
That pivot here is to an opinion—a trial was worthwhile—that's backed up by the rest of that sentence ("since . . . "). The following statement also has a conclusion indication phrase—"After all"—and so it's backing up the previous statement.
So the author pivots to an opinion that's backed up by the rest of the argument? That's the main point.
Answer Explanation:
This answer highlights the author's opinion of the trial, backed up for her reasoning on why it was worthwhile, so it's the main point.
Key Takeaway:
Use those structural indicator words! And when there's a single word offset with a comma at the beginning of the sentence, figure out what that's telling you about the role of that statement. -
EThe penalty imposed on Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice E is not credited
Incorrect. This statement isn't made or implied in the argument, so it's out of scope.
What this tests
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Started by nivensdc