* Always identify the conclusion of any argument you read!
* Paraphrased answers are always correct in Must Be True questions. Answers that
paraphrase the conclusion are correct in Main Point questions.
* If an argument contains two conclusions you will be forced to identify which one
is the main conclusion and which one is the subsidiary conclusion.
* Remember: Main Point questions are Must Be True questions with an additional
criterion—you must also identify the author’s point.
Two types of answers typically appear in Main Point questions. Both are
incorrect:
1. Answers that are true but do not encapsulate the author’s point.
2. Answers that repeat premises of the argument.
Each answer type is attractive because they are true based on what you have
read. However, neither summarizes the author’s main point and therefore both
are incorrect.
Because you have already learned the skills necessary to complete these
questions, we will use the following two questions for discussion purposes.
Please take a moment to complete the following problem:
1. Journalist: A free marketplace of ideas ensures that
all ideas get a fair hearing. Even ideas tainted
with prejudice and malice can prompt
beneficial outcomes. In most countries,
however, the government is responsible for over
half the information released to the public
through all media. For this reason, the power of
governments over information needs to be
curtailed. Everyone grants that governments
should not suppress free expression, yet
governments continue to construct near
monopolies on the publication and
dissemination of enormous amounts of
information.
Which one of the following most accurately
expresses the conclusion of the journalist’s
argument?
(A) The freedom of the marketplace of ideas is in
jeopardy.
(B) Preserving a free marketplace of ideas is
important.
(C) The control that governments have over
information needs to be reduced.
(D) Ideas that have malicious content or stem from
questionable sources can be valuable.
(E) Governments have near monopolies on the
dissemination of many kinds of information.
The conclusion to this argument is the fourth sentence, which begins with the
conclusion indicator “For this reason...” By applying the Primary Objectives
you should have identified this conclusion while reading, and then, upon
classifying the question stem you should have looked for a paraphrase of this
sentence. Answer choice (C) fits the bill, and is the correct answer.
Answer choice (A): The author would agree with this statement but this is not
the Main Point of the argument; rather, it is closer to a premise that might
support the conclusion.
* Paraphrased answers are always correct in Must Be True questions. Answers that
paraphrase the conclusion are correct in Main Point questions.
* If an argument contains two conclusions you will be forced to identify which one
is the main conclusion and which one is the subsidiary conclusion.
* Remember: Main Point questions are Must Be True questions with an additional
criterion—you must also identify the author’s point.
Two types of answers typically appear in Main Point questions. Both are
incorrect:
1. Answers that are true but do not encapsulate the author’s point.
2. Answers that repeat premises of the argument.
Each answer type is attractive because they are true based on what you have
read. However, neither summarizes the author’s main point and therefore both
are incorrect.
Because you have already learned the skills necessary to complete these
questions, we will use the following two questions for discussion purposes.
Please take a moment to complete the following problem:
1. Journalist: A free marketplace of ideas ensures that
all ideas get a fair hearing. Even ideas tainted
with prejudice and malice can prompt
beneficial outcomes. In most countries,
however, the government is responsible for over
half the information released to the public
through all media. For this reason, the power of
governments over information needs to be
curtailed. Everyone grants that governments
should not suppress free expression, yet
governments continue to construct near
monopolies on the publication and
dissemination of enormous amounts of
information.
Which one of the following most accurately
expresses the conclusion of the journalist’s
argument?
(A) The freedom of the marketplace of ideas is in
jeopardy.
(B) Preserving a free marketplace of ideas is
important.
(C) The control that governments have over
information needs to be reduced.
(D) Ideas that have malicious content or stem from
questionable sources can be valuable.
(E) Governments have near monopolies on the
dissemination of many kinds of information.
The conclusion to this argument is the fourth sentence, which begins with the
conclusion indicator “For this reason...” By applying the Primary Objectives
you should have identified this conclusion while reading, and then, upon
classifying the question stem you should have looked for a paraphrase of this
sentence. Answer choice (C) fits the bill, and is the correct answer.
Answer choice (A): The author would agree with this statement but this is not
the Main Point of the argument; rather, it is closer to a premise that might
support the conclusion.
