Logical reasoning PrepTest 145 · Section 4 · Question 7

Incorrect. The argument's reasoning is meant to show this claim isn't always correct, so it's not based on it.

Incorrect. While it is a general principle, the argument doesn't apply it to a specific situation. Rather, it pivots away from it to show that it doesn't apply sometimes.

Incorrect. The author pivots away from this statement to show that it shouldn't always apply.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Argument Structure

Stimulus Summary:
Widely held belief Ð Buying local is good for the environment
Counterpoint Ð Distance food travels is just one part of the equation, and some food is more easily grown in other places
Conclusion Ð It's sometime environmentally better to buy non-local food

Answer Anticipation:
The argument starts with something that is "widely believed," which the author is almost certainly going to pivot away from. She does, and she pivots to a fact/consideration, so it's likely that we're seeing a premise. The next statement arguably supports the pivot statement, making it a conclusion with support. The last sentence, however, is clearly a conclusion ("So . . . "), and looking at the pivot statement, that backs up the final statement, making it the main point.

But most of that work wasn't necessary! The statement in question is the opening statement, which was introduced as something "widely believed" and then pivoted away from, so the correct answer will reflect that it's the opposing point.

Answer Explanation:
This answer reflects that it's an opposing point—the author concludes that it sometimes doesn't apply.

Key Takeaway:
Start Argument Structure questions by finding the statement in question in the stimulus and highlighting it in some way (brackets can be helpful, especially if you underline the conclusion). This way, you can keep track of what statement the question is asking about without needing to reread the stem or stimulus. It'll also let you get through the question a little faster—here, as soon as we saw that the statement in question was attributed to what is "widely believed" and then pivoted away from, we could feel comfortable looking for the answer highlighting it as an opposing point.

Incorrect. It's a conclusion of the opposing point, not the argument.