PrepTest 143

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Valid

Question Type:
Argument Structure

Stimulus Summary:
People are polite to each other → Society improves
Enforcing laws requiring politeness would create more problems than impoliteness
Therefore, laws requiring politeness won't improve society

Answer Anticipation:
The first statement sets up a conditional rule that establishes what would happen to society with a given change. Since it's a prediction, there's a chance it's the main point. However, the next sentence immediately pivots away from it ("But") to the statement in question. This is a competing prediction, so since the argument pivots to it and it's a prediction, it's likely the main point of the argument. That's backed up by the following statement explaining why it's true, thus serving as a premise.

The correct answer should highlight that it's the conclusion of the argument, and if there's more than one answer stating that it's the conclusion, then we should look for one that says it puts a limitation on the opposing point (politeness will help society as long as it's not mandated).

Answer Explanation:
This answer reflects that the statement is a pivot away from one prediction, limiting it, that has support in the final sentence.

Key Takeaway:
Always note pivot words—they define when the author shifts away from an opposing point or a premise that she's not generally going to rely on in reaching the main point. Also, predictions tend to be conclusions, even when they're conditional.

Incorrect. The argument doesn't make sense with this second sentence serving as a premise for the final sentence, so it can't be a premise.

Incorrect. This answer describes an argument with an intermediate conclusion. Since there are only two statements making up the author's argument (the first being an opposing point), this can't be correct.

Incorrect. This answer, again, brings up an argument with three pieces, and the author's argument has only two (discounting the opposing point, which isn't a part of the author's argument).

Incorrect. The phenomenon is actually unstated—the current state of society and the level of impoliteness.