Logical reasoning PrepTest 134 · Section 1 · Question 14

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Argument Structure

Stimulus Summary:
Premise - Superconductors will let energy move farther with less lost
Analogy - When oil/natural gas (better to move far with less lost) replaced coal, industrial productivity went up
Conclusion - Superconductors will probably improve industrial productivity

Answer Anticipation:
A few things lead us to conclude that the statement in question is the main point of the argument.

First, it's a prediction with a certainty qualifier ("probably"). Predictions tend to be conclusions, and statements that have a word denoting certainty ("probably", "possibly", "definitely") also tend to be conclusions.

Second, the analogy is designed to show a situation where a "similar improvement" was seen. Since the analogy is meant to support that prediction, it's likely the main point.

Finally, looking for structure keywords, we see the statement in question is followed by a "for," which introduces a premise that's supporting whatever immediately preceded it.

So let's find an answer stating that it's the main point (and possibly brings up that it's supported by an analogy).

Answer Explanation:
The statement in question is a conclusion, and the claim noted in this answer is a part of the analogy which supported that conclusion, so this is the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
Adverbs (e.g., "probably" or "possibly") tend to convey an opinion, so they tend to show up in conclusions. Be on the lookout for them not just because they highlight conclusions, but also because they tell you something about logical force.

Incorrect. It's not a generalization—it's a prediction about a specific situation.

Incorrect. If something is stated in the argument, it's not an assumption.

Incorrect. It is certainly not a premise, so we don't need to read more than four words here.

Incorrect. "It is cited as evidence" is a way of describing a premise, so we can rule this answer out.