Logical reasoning PrepTest 141 · Section 4 · Question 5

Question prompt

While biodiversity is indispensable Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: A

The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.

Question Type

Main Point Questions

Answer choices

  1. A
    Biodiversity does not require Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A matches the stem
    Correct. Argument or Facts:
    Argument

    Valid or Flawed:
    Valid

    Question Type:
    Main Point

    Stimulus Summary:
    Life on Earth requires ecological niches to be filled, but some of these can be met by more than one species, so some species can go extinct without endangering life on Earth.

    Answer Anticipation:
    That "While" kicking off the argument is a huge indicator that we're about to see the main point. In general, that word shows that the author is making some type of concession or point that she's about to pivot from to her real point. That's the case here, as the rest of the argument backs up that some species can go extinct without threatening life on Earth. The follow-up statement makes a claim that the author pivots from to show that certain species are dispensable (their niches can be filled by others), which is a premise in support of the conclusion. So the correct answer should reflect the second half of the first statement: Biodiversity doesn't require the survival of all current species.

    Answer Explanation:
    This answer reflects the second half of the first sentence, which pivots away from the "While" and is supported by the rest of the argument. It's the main point.

    Key Takeaway:
    "While" introduces a concession or point that the author of an argument is about to pivot away from. It frequently pivots to the main point of the argument.
  2. B
    There are various ecological Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    Incorrect. This is a premise that's contextualized when the author states that some niches can be filled by more than one species, supporting the conclusion that some species can go extinct without life on Earth being threatened.
  3. C
    The survival of life Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    Incorrect. Any clause introduced with, "While . . . " won't be the main point of the argument, as the author is going to pivot from it in some way.
  4. D
    There are many ecological Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    Incorrect. This statement is a premise that contextualizes the requirement for various niches to be filled, establishing that there are some "redundant" species that could go extinct while leaving their niche filled by others.
  5. E
    The species most indispensable Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    Incorrect. This statement doesn't appear in the stimulus, nor is it implied, so it can't serve as the main point.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A Credited 89%
  2. B 3%
  3. C 2%
  4. D 4%
  5. E 1%

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