Additional Premise and Counter-Premise Recognition

 Mini-Drill Answer Key
1. Features the counter-premise indicator “however” and the premise indicator
“since.”
Premise: “Wine is made by crushing grapes and eventually separating
the juice from the grape skins.”
Counter-premise: “However, the separated juice contains impurities
and many wineries do not filter the juice.”
Premise: “These wineries claim the unfiltered juice ultimately
produces a more flavorful and intense wine.”
Premise: “Since these wine makers are experts,”
Conclusion: “we should trust their judgment and not shy away from
unfiltered wine.”
2. Features the additional premise indicator “in addition” and the conclusion
indicator “hence.” In this problem the additional premise is central to
supporting the conclusion.
Premise: “Phenylketonurics are people who cannot metabolize the
amino acid phenylalanine.”
Premise: “There are dangers associated with phenylketonuria, and
products containing phenylalanine must carry a warning label
that states, ‘Phenylketonurics: contains phenylalanine.’ ”
Additional Premise: “In addition, all children in developed societies
received a phenylketonuria test at birth.”
Conclusion: “Hence, at the moment, we are doing as much as possible
to protect against this condition.”
3. Features the counter-premise indicator “despite”; the additional premise
indicator “after all”; and the conclusion indicator “thus.” The additional
premise serves to downplay the counter-premise.
Premise: “During last night’s robbery, the thief was unable to open the
safe.”
Counter-premise: “despite the fact that the thief stole several
documents.”
Additional Premise: “After all, nothing in those documents was as
valuable as the money in the safe.”
Conclusion: “Thus, last night’s robbery was unsuccessful ”