PrepTest 143

Incorrect. The argument doesn't show any claim to be false.

Incorrect. The conclusion is about the relative cheapness of farming closer to the source of water for irrigation, so the statement in question supports it.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Argument Structure

Stimulus Summary:
Seawater can be used to irrigate crops. The largest expense in irrigation is pumping water, with distance driving the cost. So farming with seawater near oceans would be cheaper than most irrigated farming.

Answer Anticipation:
As you get deeper into the section, questions get more difficult. When you come across an Argument Structure question later in the section, it's important to recognize that the argument structure might be a little more convoluted, and the answers phrased a little harder!

As such, it's important to start with any structure keywords to help you navigate the argument. Here, there aren't many—there's a "since" and a linking "and." The former tells us that it's introducing a premise, but there's a conclusion in the sentence as well. The second tells us that the linked statements almost certainly serve the same function in the argument.

So staring with that "since," we can see that the first half of the sentence—seawater-irrigated farming near oceans is relatively cheap—is a conclusion of the argument, but we still need to determine if it's the main point or an intermediate conclusion.

Looking at the last two statements (including the statement in question) we need to ask ourselves if it supports that statement about the relative cheapness of this type of farming—and it does. They both serve as evidence that this farming would be relatively cheap, so they're both premises in support of the conclusion. And since the first statement is another premise, that first half of the second sentence is the main point.

Therefore, the statement in question is a premise supporting the main point.

Answer Explanation:
This is a long way of saying, "It's a premise," so it's the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
As Argument Structure questions get more difficult, focus more on the indicator words to help you navigate your way through them. They're the most efficient way to break down an argument, at least as a starting point.

Incorrect. There's no support for this statement, and it's factual in nature, and it builds into another statement ("and"), so it's definitely not a conclusion, let alone the conclusion.

Incorrect. This answer describes an intermediate conclusion. However, there's no evidence provided to support the statement in question, so this answer is incorrect.