PrepTest 120

Incorrect. Laird flat out states that pure research provides new technologies, and Kim states that it advances medicine (which counts as a technology), so this is a point of agreement between them.

Incorrect. Laird believes pure research contributes to saving lives. Kim believes that pure research advances medicine. This answer is a point of agreement.

Incorrect. Laird doesn't dismiss the value of saving lives—he just believes that there is another benefit that's "more" important. As such, no one disagrees with this answer.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument/Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed/Flawed

Question Type:
Point at Issue

Stimulus Summary:
L: Pure research saves lives, but more importantly it expands our knowledge.

K: Pure research advances medicine, saving lives, which is the most important thing, so your priorities are off.

Answer Anticipation:
When the second speaker tells you what the point at issue is between the two, listen! Here, Kim starts off by letting us know what she takes issue with—Laird's priorities. She believes that saving lives is what counts "most of all," whereas Laird believes that there is a benefit "more worthwhile" than saving lives to pure research.

?Since they agree on the benefits of pure research but disagree on which one is the most important one, we should look for that prioritization in the answers.

Answer Explanation:
This answer gets at the prioritization, or ranking of the benefits. Laird believes more important than saving lives is expanding knowledge, so he'd disagree with this answer. Kim believes that saving lives counts "most of all," committing her to agreeing with this answer. It is therefore correct.

Key Takeaway:
When the second speaker in a Point at Issue question tells you what they disagree with, listen! That won't always be the answer, but it often will be.

Incorrect. Laird believes that it does—it expands our knowledge and provides new ideas. Kim believes that saving lives is the "most" valuable thing pure research does, but there's no indication she believes it doesn't have other value. In fact, by stating that saving lives counts most of all, she suggests there are other things that count, as well. This answer is therefore a point of agreement.