PrepTest 129

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Valid

Question Type:
Main Point

Stimulus Summary:
Although free trade leads to specialization, which has a benefit but also leads to a risk. Small countries rely on one or two products, and if they are of certain types, they can easily be disrupted.

Answer Anticipation:
As with all structure-based questions, relying on our structural indicator words is going to be a quick way to make sense of this argument structure.

And we get one right off the bat—"Although." That tells us that the author is about to introduce an idea that she agrees with but is going to pivot away from. The idea pivoted to will frequently be the main point—here, it pivots to the idea that specialization carries risks. That sounds like something the author is going to provide evidence for, so it's a candidate for the main point.

The following sentence starts with, "After all," which is an indicator for a premise that's supporting the preceding statement—more evidence that that statement is the main point. The final two statements are considerations building off of the, "After all," statement, thus serving as further premises.

So the pivoted-to statement is, in fact, the main point of the argument—"Specialization carries risks."

Answer Explanation:
This answer choice reflects the statement the author pivots to after making an initial point, which is then supported by the rest of the argument, so this is correct.

Key Takeaway:
Structural indicator words can be exceptionally helpful in quickly understanding the structure of an argument without needing to go through an analysis of the logic. Whenever you can lean on these words to guide you through a question, do it!

Incorrect. This answer is a premise of the argument, showing one way that specialization can lead to problems.

Incorrect. This answer is another premise of the argument, showing another way that specialization can lead to problems.

Incorrect. This statement is a premise of the argument, introduced by the premise indicator phrase, "After all," and supporting the main point that specialization can lead to problems for a country.

Incorrect. This answer combines the initial point that the author pivots away from with the later point about exports, so not only is it not directly stated in the argument, but it doesn't reflect the main point.