Logical reasoning PrepTest 140 · Section 1 · Question 5

Incorrect. This answer is the background information, establishing a potential problem the solutions of which are debated by the Essayist.

Incorrect. The argument is conditioned on if Earth's population keeps growing geometrically—it doesn't state that Earth's population will keep growing geometrically. This answer choice, in stating that something will happen "[d]ue to" that growth, is treating it as if it's definite and thus doesn't reflect the argument.

Incorrect. This answer choice lays out the problem with one given solution to the overpopulation problem—moving to Mars. It's a premise of the argument, establishing why the Essayist rejects the theory of moving people to Mars, and so it's a premise.

Incorrect. The Essayist doesn't establish whether geometric growth is going to continue, just that there will be population problems if it does. In treating the condition as if it were certain, this answer doesn't reflect the argument. It does, however, throw in language from the conclusion ("temporary solutions") in order to try to get you to fall for a language match trap!

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Valid

Question Type:
Main Point

Stimulus Summary:
Problem: If the human population keeps growing at this rate, Earth will be overpopulated.
Proposed solution: Move people to other planets like Mars.
Problem with solution: That leaves people on Earth, who will keep multiplying and eventually overpopulate the planet again.
Conclusion: Moving to Mars would only temporarily solve the problem.

Answer Anticipation:
The argument establishes a problem and a proposed solution raised by "[s]ome people." When the author of an argument attributes a solution to others, it's very likely she'll pivot away from that solution. At that point, the question is whether the conclusion of the argument is showing that the conclusion is wrong, or whether the main point is an alternative solution.

Here, the pivot in the argument states that the proposed solution would be "temporary . . . at best" and then goes into why it would be only a temporary solution. The Essayist never establishes her own solution, so that view of the opposing point is the main point of the argument, backed up by the reasons for why it wouldn't permanently solve the problem.

Answer Explanation:
This answer choice reflects the conclusion. The argument pivots to this statement, which is the Essayist's opinion on a potential solution that some have proposed to overpopulation, and which is supported by the rest of the argument. Those all support this answer as the main point of the argument.

Key Takeaway:
When arguments are about problems/solutions, then the problems are generally background and the solutions are the conclusion. The exception to this is when the author of an argument proposes a problem with a proposed solution without proposing a solution of her own, as we see here.