PrepTest 120

Incorrect. The closest either speaker gets to saying this is Azadeh's statement that there's a "new hope" for a healthier planet. That doesn't show agreement that the planet is currently healthy, that it will become healthy instead of healthier, or even that it's a certainty based on this change. This answer is out of scope of both speakers.

Incorrect. Azadeh doesn't talk about people's health, just the health of the planet. Ben says people eat organic foods out of worry for their own health, but that doesn't mean that it's an effective means of doing so—just that people believe it is. Neither speaker is committed to agreeing or disagreeing with this answer.

Incorrect. Ben doesn't weigh in on how people should feel about the environment, so this answer can be eliminated.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument/Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed/Flawed

Question Type:
Point at Issue

Stimulus Summary:
A: People are buying more organic produce, showing more interest in the environment. Thus, there's a new hope for the planet.

B: Those people are motivated by their health, so they're selfish and there's no such hope.

Answer Anticipation:
There's a key element in both of these arguments, one that is almost always relevant to the correct answer when it shows up. This element is a discussion of the motives behind actions.

Azadeh and Ben agree on the action that people are taking—buying more organic food. However, they disagree on why people are buying those foods—the motive behind it. Azadeh believes that it shows "a greater interest" in the environment. Ben believes that they're motivated by worries about their health. This disagreement on the motive behind the agreed-upon action is likely going to show up as the correct answer.

Answer Explanation:
This answer gets at the motivations behind people buying more organic food. Azadeh believes it shows a greater interest in the environment, committing her to agreeing with this answer. Ben believes that people aren't motivated by a greater interest in the environment ("No, Azadeh.") but rather worries about their own health. Since he disagrees with this answer and Azadeh agrees with it, it is correct.

Key Takeaway:
When an argument talks about the motives behind an action, pay attention! There's a really good chance that it's going to be relevant to finding the correct answer.

Incorrect. Azadeh believes people have recently increased their interest, but we don't know if she believes that the trend can continue. Ben doesn't discuss this at all, so the answer is incorrect.