Logical reasoning PrepTest 135 · Section 2 · Question 10

Incorrect. This answer is too broad for either speaker to have an opinion. They both discuss only internet communication, which is just one aspect of modern life.

Incorrect. This answer is similarly too broad for Samuel to have an opinion on. He only discusses one kind of private behavior (and it may not even be purely private). Tova doesn't even commit to internet communication being private.

Incorrect. Tova doesn't discuss face-to-face or anonymous communication, so this answer is out of scope of her argument.

Incorrect. Neither speaker makes a judgment as to the trends that they notice, so we can't commit either to this answer about what is desirable.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument/Facts

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed/NA

Question Type:
Point at Issue

Stimulus Summary:
S: Talking online is private and anonymous, replacing in-person interaction, so it causes the dissolution of communal bonds.

T: Talking via computer doesn't replace intimate communication; it replaces antisocial behavior.

Answer Anticipation:
Sam and Tova both discuss communication via the internet, but they disagree over the impacts of it. Sam believes that it's replacing intimate communication and thus the formation of social bonds. Tova believes that it replaces antisocial activity, so it's not a bad thing as far as social bonds are concerned. This impact is the point at issue between them, so it should be reflected in the correct answer.

Answer Explanation:
Samuel states that internet communication replaces in-person communication, thus contributing to the dissolution of communal bonds, so he agrees with this answer. Tova believes that internet communication replaces antisocial behavior—in other words, if people weren't screaming at each other online, they'd be engaged in other antisocial behavior (screaming at each other in person?), so she'd disagree with this answer.

Key Takeaway:
Identifying areas of overlap is the key to anticipating an answer in a Point at Issue question. This can be done on a high level or a specific one. Here, we started by thinking about the high level—they both discuss internet communication, and they have a disagreement about its overall impact. There was also a specific overlap—the discussion of communal bonds/antisocial behavior. These terms are related in discussing community/society, and so they were likely to show up in the correct answer—which they did.