PrepTest 114

Incorrect. Naima definitely believes the benefits will be realized—hence her recommendation to invest the resources to switch over. Nakai could believe this, as well, while still thinking that they won't outweigh the costs.

Incorrect. The debate is over a new computer system, not necessarily "the best" computer system, so this answer is out of scope.

Incorrect. Neither speaker questions whether the upgrade can be done. In fact, both seem to accept that it can be.

Incorrect. Neither speaker discusses whether the current system can do what it is supposed to do. At most, Nakai believes that it's good enough to not need an upgrade, but that doesn't mean that it's doing what "it is supposed to do"—just that it is doing enough to be functional.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument/Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed/Flawed

Question Type:
Point at Issue

Stimulus Summary:
Naima: The new computer system would be more efficient, so we should spend the resources to switch ASAP.

Nakai: The resources to switch are greater than the benefits, so we should stick with what we have.

Answer Anticipation:
Both Naima and Nakai give their opinions on switching to the new computer system. Naima believes it should be done ASAP because the new system is more efficient. Nakai believes it shouldn't be done because the predicted benefits don't outweigh the costs. They reach the opposite conclusion, so we can anticipate that as the answer.

A quick note on their premises. Naima believes that the efficiency is worth the switch. Nakai doesn't disagree that there will be an increase in efficiency—he just believes that any increase in efficiency is outweighed by the costs. Naima, on the other hand, has to believe that the benefits outweigh the costs, otherwise she wouldn't recommend making the switch with all possible speed. This is another potentially correct answer.

Answer Explanation:
Naima believes the conversion should be done as soon as possible, whereas Nakai believes the current system should be used "for as long" as they can. So Naima believes the conversion shouldn't be delayed, and Nakai believes it should be delayed. This is the point at issue between them.

Key Takeaway:
Point at Issue questions that show up earlier in the section tend to have correct answers that focus on opposed conclusions. You should still anticipate any disagreements in the premises, but you can expect the answer to likely focus on the conclusion.