Logical reasoning PrepTest 140 · Section 3 · Question 12

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Valid

Question Type:
Main Point

Stimulus Summary:
Water makes up a lot of canned fruit/veggies weight, and manufacturers can include more water, so weighing more doesn't guarantee more fruit/veggies.

Answer Anticipation:
The argument starts with a statement that needs explanation—why does weight not determine the amount of food? The next statements are facts that support that contention by talking about what makes up some weight in canned foods, and the last sentence serves the same function as the preceding sentence (a premise) since it starts with "And," so that first sentence is the main point of the argument.

Answer Explanation:
This answer reflects the first statement of the argument which is the main point, so it's correct.

Key Takeaway:
Start to note some non-standard structural indicator words for different argument pieces. Here, the "Even if" and "not necessarily" are both "soft" conclusion indicator words—they're not as certain as a "Thus" or "Therefore," but they are in conclusions more frequently than in premises. Additionally, connecting ideas with "And" and no other keyword suggests the two ideas serve the same general function in the argument—here, it let us determine that the last statement was also a premise.

Incorrect. This is a premise explaining why weight doesn't determine the amount of food.

Incorrect. This answer is a premise backing up that water weight sometimes makes up a disproportionate amount of the weight of a can of fruit/veggies, and it's structurally introduced as having the same role as the preceding statement, which was a premise.

Incorrect. A great trap answer choice! However, the conclusion is about cans of different weights, not cans of the same weight, and it specifics fruits/veggies instead of discussing food generally.

Incorrect. This answer is an implication of the argument, but it's not directly stated—the conclusion is about there being less fruit/veggies, not more water. And, in fact, having more water doesn't guarantee there's less food in that can—the additional weight could be mostly water but some food, thus differing from the conclusion.