PrepTest 124

Incorrect. Tallulah never states or implies that the poor quality is the reason contemporary fiction is unpopular—just that it might be and needs to be considered when determining the actual reason. Since Tallulah isn't committed to believing this answer, it can't be the main point.

Incorrect. This answer takes Tallulah's viewpoint a step too far. She may believe the Columnist is correct despite not considering all relevant evidence. Her main point is that this evidence was overlooked and thus the argument is invalid/incomplete, not that the conclusion is wrong.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Valid

Question Type:
Main Point

Stimulus Summary:
Columnist — The decline of the novel is a result of consumerism, tech, and laziness/TV
Tallulah — Modern novels are bad, whereas other publications are good, so the columnist overlooked this important evidence

Answer Anticipation:
In general, the author's opinion of an opposing point is the main point of an argument. Here, the Columnist's argument represents the opposing point, which is shown by Tallulah's pivot away from it (However . . . ").

That pivot goes to Tallulah's opinion of this opposing point—that its conclusion was reached without considering all the relevant evidence. At this point, we can be almost certain it's the main point, but we should check to make sure it doesn't end up as an intermediate conclusion.

The rest of the stimulus brings up the evidence that Tallulah believes the Columnist overlooked—thus supporting her view that he overlooked important evidence. That is therefore support for her opinion of the Columnist's argument, reinforcing our determination that the pivot statement is the main point.

Answer Explanation:
This is a paraphrase of the pivot statement, which brought up Tallulah's opinion of the opposing point. It's supported by Tallulah listing the pertinent evidence that the Columnist failed to consider. This answer is therefore correct.

Key Takeaway:
The author's opinion of an opposing point is almost always the main point of an argument. But be sure that you don't pick an answer that's a step too far (or too short) in reflecting that opinion, as answer choice (B) was here.

Incorrect. This is a possibility that Tallulah hints at in her premises, but it's not something that she definitely believes is true or that serves as her main point.

Incorrect. This is one of the pieces of relevant information that Tallulah believes the Columnist overlooked, so it's a premise and not the main point.