PrepTest 151

Incorrect. This statement is a conclusion of the argument, but the author then pivots away from it ("Yet . . . ") showing that it's not the main point of the stimulus.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Valid

Question Type:
Main Point

Stimulus Summary:
Movie reviewers see a lot of movies and so have different tastes from viewers. Movie reviewers recommend movies; film critics teach about movies. So movie reviewers should be able to give a thumbs up to a movie they don't like.

Answer Anticipation:
The "should" in the first statement is a key indicator that this argument starts off with a conclusion, but we need to make sure that it's the main conclusion and not an intermediate conclusion (or opposing conclusion). The next statement starts with, "Because . . . " so it introduces a premise that supports the second half of the argument—which serves as a conclusion (we're up to two!). This statement also seems to go against the first statement by concluding that movie reviewers have better informed opinions than movie goers.

But then the argument then pivots ("Yet . . . "), letting us know that this second conclusion isn't the main point! The final statement establishes the role of movie reviewers—to tell people if they'd like a movie, not to make them better appreciate movies. As such, this last statement serves as support for the first statement, showing that movie reviewers—to help people decide if they'd like a movie—should be able to recommend a film they (with their different tastes) don't like.

Answer Explanation:
This answer restates the first sentence, which serves as the main point. The argument states the role of reviewers in order to support this idea that they should be able to recommend a film that people will enjoy but they didn't.

Key Takeaway:
This stimulus is interesting. It introduces a conclusion, but then it moves straight into a second conclusion that seems to run counter to the first conclusion. Then, it pivots away from that second conclusion. At that point, it's key to note whether the pivot is to a new argument, or back to the initial conclusion. The bigger takeaway? Note pivots! They show the author moving away from one argument and towards another—they're key hints in any question that is focused on argument structure.

Incorrect. This answer doesn't have any support in the stimulus, so it can't be a conclusion. It's honestly more of a throwaway line included in a premise!

Incorrect. This statement was introduced with "Because," highlighting that it's a premise.

Incorrect. This answer doesn't have any support in the stimulus, and it's used to justify a conclusion about what movie reviewers should do (since someone should do things that serve their role). As such, this statement is a premise.