Logical reasoning PrepTest 151 · Section 2 · Question 8

Incorrect. This answer reflects the normal practice; the argument is about a practice that falls outside of it.

Incorrect. This answer is the fact that pointed the author towards the need for an alternative explanation for Ebsen's actions. It's a pivot towards an interesting phenomenon, the explanation of which serves as the main conclusion.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Main Point

Stimulus Summary:
A normal practice is established, before pivoting to a fact that suggests the normal practice doesn't apply here. The author states what the action was "evidently" intended to do, and then walks through the reasons why she believes that.

Answer Anticipation:
The "evidently" here is key—it's a statement of opinion. It's the author showing that she believes something to be true, based on certain evidence, but can't be 100% certain.

Also, the statement including "evidently" is one potential explanation for an observed phenomenon—here, the small number of mailers, on a variety of topics, and the follow-up from the campaign. When the author picks one explanation as the most likely, it's almost certainly the main point of the argument.

Answer Explanation:
Here we go! This answer reflects the author's considered opinion on why the mailers were sent out. It's an opinion drawn from the situation as described, and thus serves as the main point of the argument.

Key Takeaway:
Look for adverbs that modify the certainty or strength of a statement, such as evidently here. They're generally good indicators of a conclusion.

Incorrect. This answer is just a statement describing the mailers, which was a simple fact serving as a premise.

Incorrect. This answer is another fact describing the actions taken by the Ebsen campaign.