PrepTest 133

Incorrect. The argument states that the company's behavior is unlikely to change, so this answer doesn't align with the stimulus.

Incorrect. This was a premise, introduced by, "After all," and highlighting reasons that the trial was worthwhile.

Incorrect. There's no support offered for why the author believes this, and she pivots right after it ("Still"), so this is more of an opposing side of the argument.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Main Point

Stimulus Summary:
A monopoly was punished, but it won't change their behavior. However, useful information came out from the trial, so it was worthwhile.

Answer Anticipation:
Main Point questions are frequently driven by the indicator words that are used throughout the stimulus to structure the argument. Here, the argument uses an uncommon pivot word—"Still"—after a couple sentences to highlight that the author is moving away from a view to her argument.

That pivot here is to an opinion—a trial was worthwhile—that's backed up by the rest of that sentence ("since . . . "). The following statement also has a conclusion indication phrase—"After all"—and so it's backing up the previous statement.

So the author pivots to an opinion that's backed up by the rest of the argument? That's the main point.

Answer Explanation:
This answer highlights the author's opinion of the trial, backed up for her reasoning on why it was worthwhile, so it's the main point.

Key Takeaway:
Use those structural indicator words! And when there's a single word offset with a comma at the beginning of the sentence, figure out what that's telling you about the role of that statement.

Incorrect. This statement isn't made or implied in the argument, so it's out of scope.