PrepTest 134

Incorrect. Tanner doesn't speak to debating skills, so this answer is out of scope of his argument. Saldana says that debates help those with strong debating skills, but that falls short of saying those individuals are more likely to win the election itself. This answer is out of scope.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument/Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Valid/Flawed

Question Type:
Point at Issue

Stimulus Summary:
T: Serious debate → Better choose a candidate. Therefore, the public should demand debates.

S: Debates help the better debater, so they don't help voters choose the better candidate.

Answer Anticipation:
Tanner starts by saying that voters should demand debates ahead of elections. Saldana states that debates don't help voters determine the better candidate, but there might be other reasons for them, so we can't commit her to disagreeing with this statement.

Tanner then establishes debates as a means by which voters can determine the better candidate. Saldana, however, says that they don't help with that, instead highlighting who's the better debater.

Therefore, the correct answer should highlight that they disagree over what debates help voters do—pick the better candidate, or pick the better debater.

Answer Explanation:
Tanner believes that voters can better choose qualified candidates after watching a debate. Saldana believes they help the better debater, not the more qualified candidate. This answer highlights the point at issue between them.

Key Takeaway:
Point at Issue questions require both speakers to have an opinion on the correct answer. As such, looking for overlap between the two arguments is key to finding that correct answer!

Incorrect. Neither speaker discusses how debating skills and skills required while in office overlap. Even Saldana would presumably agree that sometimes the more skilled debater is also the more qualified candidate!

Incorrect. Saldana disagrees with this since she believes that debates help the better debater and don't help the public determine who's more qualified. If they're the same, then accomplishing the former would accomplish the latter. However, Tanner doesn't discuss the overlap between these skills.

Incorrect. While both speakers do suggest that debates play some role in the election, neither goes so far as to state that that effect is "major."