PrepTest 133

Incorrect. So close! But the conclusion is that the company should do everything they can to ship fitness/exercise books on time. Neglecting to include those two key details invalidates this answer.

Incorrect. The Publisher doesn't mention efficiency, nor does she establish that the company has a competitive edge, so this answer isn't a part of the argument, let alone the main point.

Incorrect. First, the Publisher notes that the competitors are organized to show that these competitors will get their books to market on time—but that doesn't establish she believes the company needs to meet the same level of organization. Second, the Publisher notes that the company can't afford to be outsold, but it doesn't establish anything that would guarantee that happens. At most, this answer is an assumption of the argument, not the main point.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Main Point

Stimulus Summary:
P: Fitness books sell after New Year's Eve. Our competitors are well organized, and we can't afford to be outsold, so we have to pull out all the stops to ship fitness books on time.

Answer Anticipation:
When there's a recommendation in an argument, it's almost always the main point. Here, the Publisher recommends doing "whatever it takes" to ship fitness books ahead of the new year, which is a very strong recommendation.

Is there support for it? Yep. The competitors are organized (and thus presumably will get their books out on time), and the Publisher's company can't afford to be outsold. Since that recommendation is supported with a few details about the company, market, and their competitors, that recommendation is the main point of the argument.

Answer Explanation:
This answer reflects the recommendation made by the Publisher, and the very strong language is matched here with "imperative." This is the main point of the argument.

Key Takeaway:
Recommendations are generally conclusions, and usually the main point of the argument.

Incorrect. Shipping practices are out of scope of the argument, which is about shipping books on time—something that may incorporate shipping practices but also involves other processes.