PrepTest 119

Incorrect. Without specifying whether these issues are the complex ones from James' explanation, there's not enough information to know how this answer affects the argument.

Incorrect. What matters is how voters view the presentation of issues, not how Reade's opponents do.

Incorrect. Whether the popularity will change doesn't affect the cause of her current popularity.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument/Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed/Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen

Stimulus Summary:
J: People - The voting public is too dumb to understand complex issues
Rebuttal - Reade discusses complex issues, and she's the most popular candidate

M: Those two things are true, but the real reason she's so popular is that the public thinks she's competent and trustworthy

Answer Anticipation:
This question stem asks us to find an answer supporting Maria's rebuttal to James' argument, so we should be sure to focus on the right person's argument here!

Both James and Maria agree on some basic things here. First, they agree that Reade is the most popular candidate. Second, they agree that Reade has commercials that discuss complex campaign issues.

Where they disagree is on the reason for the popularity. James believes that it's the commercials discussing these complex issues that are making Reade so popular. Maria, on the other hand, puts forward a different explanation—people find Reade more competent and trustworthy.

Since this debate is over the explanation for an agreed-on phenomenon, we should focus on answers that provide evidence for or against explanations. In particular, any answer that supports Maria's explanation or that argues against an alternative explanation (either James' or any other) will serve to strengthen Maria's argument.

Answer Explanation:
This answer provides evidence against James' explanation by showing that the voters can't actually identify the issues that Reade addresses, so her ads that discuss those issues can't serve as the basis for public support. By undermining an alternative explanation, this answer strengthens Maria's.

Key Takeaway:
Arguments that present explanations for witnessed phenomena generally deal in alternative explanations. Always consider what else could explain the phenomenon, and look for answers that deal with these alternatives.

Incorrect. Two issues with this answer. First, it being about only "some" voters means it's too weak to support the conclusion that this is the reason she's the most popular candidate. Second, Maria's explanation is that Reade is found to be the most competent/trustworthy candidate, and this answer doesn't discuss the voters' views of her compared to the others.