PrepTest 127

Incorrect. This answer reflects the concession or point of agreement between the Gardener and the Researchers before she pivots to her opinion of their recommendation about weeds, so it's not really a part of her argument.

Incorrect. This answer reflects one of the possible downsides of growing the recommended weeds and is thus support for the conclusion that that recommendation is premature.

Incorrect. This answer reflects the conclusion/recommendation of the Researchers, not the Gardener.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Valid

Question Type:
Main Point

Stimulus Summary:
Researchers: Let some weeds grow in your garden to repel caterpillars.

Gardener: Those weeds could hurt the soil and attract other pests, so the Researchers' advice is premature.

Answer Anticipation:
The Gardener starts her argument by bringing up the advice of some Researchers. From there, she pivots to a concession/point of agreement ("While . . . ") and then states her opinion of the Researchers' advice—it's premature.

Statements that follow a pivot/concession are often conclusions, and the author's opinion of an opposing point is almost always the main point of an argument. Therefore, this statement is almost certainly the main point of the argument.

That's backed up by the following statement bringing up the reasoning behind thinking that the advice is premature—we don't know if there are downsides to the practice. Let's find an answer stating that the advice to grow certain weeds in a garden is premature.

Answer Explanation:
This answer reflects the Gardener's opinion of the Researchers' recommendation—a premature recommendation is one that should be approached with caution. Since this answer states the author's opinion of the opposing point, it's the main point of the argument.

Key Takeaway:
An author's opinion of an opposing point is almost always the main point of an argument.

Incorrect. Tempting! A premature view should be viewed with skepticism, so that part of the answer is fine. However, the Gardener doesn't question whether the weeds will keep caterpillars out of gardens, as this answer states. Instead, she seems to acknowledge that the weeds can accomplish that, but that they might have other downsides and attract other kinds of insects.