PrepTest 129

Incorrect. This answer is tempting! It can seem as if the statement in question is an explanation for the observation that teachers fear computers. However, one word throws this answer choice off—"possible." It doesn't present this as a possible reason teachers fear computers—it's presented as the actual reason teachers fear computers. This answer treats the connection as possible, whereas the argument treats it as certain.

Incorrect. First, it's not true that the decreased need for teachers posited by the statement in question is a problem—the Administrators certainly don't believe it is. In any case, the author doesn't believe it'll come to pass, so the argument doesn't offer a solution to it.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Argument Structure

Stimulus Summary:
Administrators/Teachers—Computers in education will make it possible to teach more courses with fewer teachers.
Rebuttal—Teaching with a computer takes more time, so a reduction in teachers would require a reduction in the number of courses.
Conclusion—The Administrators'/Teachers' are wrong.

Answer Anticipation:
The argument starts out by exploring what Administrators and Teachers believe about computerized learning, and since this belief is attributed to a specific group, we should expect a pivot. Interestingly, while the Administrators are excited while the Teachers are fearful, their viewpoint on the substance is the same—computerized learning will allow fewer teachers to teach more classes.

The author, on the other hand, pivots ("But") to a refutation, stating that computerized instruction requires more time, and thus fewer teachers would also mean fewer courses offered.

The statement in question is the reason that the Teachers are fearful and the Administrators are enthusiastic, which the author believes is mistaken. The correct answer should reflect that it's a viewpoint the author sets out to refute.

Answer Explanation:
The author argues that computerized instruction requires more time from the instructors, thus meaning that fewer instructors will require the offering of fewer courses. That's a direct refutation of the statement in question, so this answer is correct.

Key Takeaway:
For Argument Structure questions that feature multiple viewpoints, knowing which viewpoint the statement in question is a part of can go a long way to helping with the answer choices. Noting that the statement here was a part of the opposing point—a viewpoint the author believes is mistaken—can let you eliminate any of the answers that treat the statement in question as a part of the author's argument.

Incorrect. The main conclusion is that the statement in question is mistaken, so it's definitely not a premise supporting that conclusion.

Incorrect. The argument pivots away from this first half of the argument (to a conclusion that it's mistaken), so it definitely is the main point of the argument!