Question Type: Conclusion
These questions ask you to draw a conclusion from evidence presented within the stimulus.
In some cases, the conclusion that you are asked to draw is based on only part of
the stimulus and will not necessarily be the main idea of the stimulus paragraph. Some
conclusion questions use the terms “infer” and “imply.”
NOTE
Remember that “imply” and “infer” are just two sides of the same coin; the speaker, or author, implies and
the listener, or reader, infers.
Some example question stems are
1. If the statements above are true, which one of the following must also be true on
the basis of them?
2. If the environmentalist’s statements are true, they provide the most support for
which one of the following?
3. Which one of the following statements is most strongly supported by the information
above?
4. Amy’s reply is structured to lead to which one of the following conclusions?
5. Which one of the following inferences is most strongly supported by the information
above?
6. Which one of the following can be properly inferred from the argument above?
Strategies
To correctly answer these questions you must consider the validity of the argument.
Look for the logical end of the chain of reasoning started in the stimulus argument.
Sample Conclusion Question
Consider the following example:
1. Physician: The continued use of this drug to treat patients with a certain disease
cannot be adequately supported by the proposition that any drug that treats the
disease is more effective than no treatment at all. What must also be taken into
account is that this drug is very expensive and has notable side effects.
Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the physician’s
argument?
(A) The drug is more effective than no treatment at all.
(B) The drug is more effective than other forms of treatment for the disease.
(C) The drug is more expensive than other forms of treatment for the disease.
(D) The drug should not be used to treat the disease unless it is either effective
or inexpensive.
(E) The drug’s possible effectiveness in treating the disease is not sufficient
justification for using it.
The best answer is E. According to the physician, the fact that the drug might be
somewhat effective is not enough reason to continue to use it. The physician suggests
that other factors beyond mere effectiveness, such as cost and side effects, be considered
when deciding whether to use the drug. Answer choice A is incorrect because, although
it might be inferred from evidence presented in the stimulus, the question stem calls for
the main point of the argument. Answer choices B and C are incorrect because no
comparison is made between the drug and any other form of treatment for the disease.
Answer choice D is incorrect because the physician also contends that the side effects of
the drug should be considered when deciding whether to use the drug.
These questions ask you to draw a conclusion from evidence presented within the stimulus.
In some cases, the conclusion that you are asked to draw is based on only part of
the stimulus and will not necessarily be the main idea of the stimulus paragraph. Some
conclusion questions use the terms “infer” and “imply.”
NOTE
Remember that “imply” and “infer” are just two sides of the same coin; the speaker, or author, implies and
the listener, or reader, infers.
Some example question stems are
1. If the statements above are true, which one of the following must also be true on
the basis of them?
2. If the environmentalist’s statements are true, they provide the most support for
which one of the following?
3. Which one of the following statements is most strongly supported by the information
above?
4. Amy’s reply is structured to lead to which one of the following conclusions?
5. Which one of the following inferences is most strongly supported by the information
above?
6. Which one of the following can be properly inferred from the argument above?
Strategies
To correctly answer these questions you must consider the validity of the argument.
Look for the logical end of the chain of reasoning started in the stimulus argument.
Sample Conclusion Question
Consider the following example:
1. Physician: The continued use of this drug to treat patients with a certain disease
cannot be adequately supported by the proposition that any drug that treats the
disease is more effective than no treatment at all. What must also be taken into
account is that this drug is very expensive and has notable side effects.
Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the physician’s
argument?
(A) The drug is more effective than no treatment at all.
(B) The drug is more effective than other forms of treatment for the disease.
(C) The drug is more expensive than other forms of treatment for the disease.
(D) The drug should not be used to treat the disease unless it is either effective
or inexpensive.
(E) The drug’s possible effectiveness in treating the disease is not sufficient
justification for using it.
The best answer is E. According to the physician, the fact that the drug might be
somewhat effective is not enough reason to continue to use it. The physician suggests
that other factors beyond mere effectiveness, such as cost and side effects, be considered
when deciding whether to use the drug. Answer choice A is incorrect because, although
it might be inferred from evidence presented in the stimulus, the question stem calls for
the main point of the argument. Answer choices B and C are incorrect because no
comparison is made between the drug and any other form of treatment for the disease.
Answer choice D is incorrect because the physician also contends that the side effects of
the drug should be considered when deciding whether to use the drug.
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