Summarize Argument: Counter-Position
Some people think the Forestry Department is not doing their job properly if forest fires are not immediately extinguished. However, frequent small fires clear out small trees and forest debris. If these trees and debris were allowed to accumulate, this would create the conditions for more devastating fires. Therefore, it’s best to let small fires burn.
Identify Argument Part
The statement is used as evidence against the claim some people hold that the Forestry Department is not doing their job if they do not immediately extinguish fires.
A
It is offered as support for the contention that the Forestry Department is not doing its job properly if it does not extinguish forest fires as quickly as possible.
The statement does not support the the claim many people believe. Rather, it is used to support the claim that it’s best to let small fires burn.
B
It is used as evidence against the contention that the Forestry Department is not doing its job properly if it does not extinguish forest fires as quickly as possible.
The statement point out additional considerations that run counter to the claim many people think is true in the first sentence.
C
It is used to show what the consequences would be if the Forestry Department based its policies on the ideas most people have about how it should do its job.
The statement does not involve any consequences. The statement is presented as matter-of-fact.
D
It is an example used to illustrate the claim that most people believe the Forestry Department should quickly extinguish all forest fires.
The statement is not an example, and it does not support the claim most people believe about the Forestry Department.
E
It is a conclusion based on the premise in the argument that it is best to let small forest fires burn.
The statement is not a conclusion. The conclusion is that it’s best to let small fires burn.
Summarize Argument: Phenomenon-Hypothesis
The author hypothesizes that turmeric helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Why? First, because of a correlation: people in India eat lots of turmeric, and very few get Alzheimer’s disease. Second, because of turmeric’s effect on the brain: the curcumin it contains reduces the buildup of amyloid proteins that characterize Alzheimer’s disease, at least in animals.
Notable Assumptions
The author assumes eating turmeric makes more curcumin available for breaking down amyloid proteins in the brain, thus reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This means assuming curcumin has the same effect on amyloid proteins in humans that it does in animals. She also assumes the correlation in India—more people eat turmeric and fewer get Alzheimer’s disease—is because turmeric consumption reduces a person’s chances of Alzheimer’s disease, and not for some other reason.
A
Rosemary and ginger, which contain compounds that affect amyloid protein accumulation much like curcumin does, are commonly found in the diets of people living in India.
This weakens the argument. It suggests rosemary and ginger, not turmeric, could be responsible for the low rates of Alzheimer’s disease in India.
B
Many scientists believe that the buildup of amyloid protein plaques in the brain is a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease rather than a cause.
This weakens the argument. It implies breaking down amyloid proteins will not reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, casting doubt on the stated benefit of curcumin.
C
The proportion of people living in India who fall within the age group that is most prone to developing Alzheimer’s disease is smaller than the proportion of people worldwide who fall within that age group.
This weakens the argument. It suggests fewer people get Alzheimer’s in India because fewer belong to the at-risk age group, not because of their turmeric consumption.
D
None of the other compounds found in turmeric have been studied to see whether they affect the accumulation of amyloid proteins.
This has no effect on the argument. It’s equally possible these other compounds in turmeric could promote or inhibit the accumulation of amyloid proteins.
E
The parts of India that have the highest per capita rates of curry consumption have the lowest incidence of Alzheimer’s disease.
This strengthens the correlation between high turmeric intake and low rates of Alzheimer’s disease. It implies the correlation extends to regions within India, making it more pronounced.
Summarize Argument: Phenomenon-Hypothesis
The author hypothesizes that the increased reports of tornadoes since the 1950s is probably explained by our finding a higher percentage of tornadoes that occur rather than an increase in the actual number of tornadoes. This is based on the fact that our ability to find tornadoes has improved since the 1950s.
Notable Assumptions
The author assumes that our ability to find tornadoes has increased enough to account entirely for the increased reports of tornadoes since 1950.
A
The physical damage caused by the average tornado has remained roughly constant since the 1950s.
The argument concerns whether the number of tornadoes has increased. The damage produced by an average tornado does not reveal anything about the overall number of tornadoes.
B
The number of tornadoes hitting major population centers annually has more than doubled since the 1950s.
If anything, this might undermine the argument by suggesting that there has been an increase in the number of tornadoes.
C
The number of large and medium sized tornadoes reported annually has remained roughly constant since the 1950s.
This suggests there hasn’t been an overall increase in actual tornadoes, because we’d expect all kinds of tornadoes to increase, not just the small ones. Instead, the explanation for the increased reports of small tornadoes might simply be easier identification of them.
D
The annual number of deaths due to tornadoes has increased steadily since the 1950s.
If anything, this might undermine the argument by suggesting that there might be more tornadoes (which would account for the increased deaths due to tornadoes).
E
The geographic range in which tornadoes are most prevalent has remained roughly constant since the 1950s.
This tells us that the range in which tornadoes are most common has been about the same. But the range staying the same doesn’t tell us anything about the overall frequency of tornadoes within that range.
"Surprising" Phenomenon
Why does the average resident of Charlesville spend more on winter heating expenses than does the average resident of Taychester despite the fact that Taychester is always significantly colder than Charlesville?
Objective
Remember that this is an “except” question! The right answer will be the only one that does not offer an explanation of why Charlesville residents spend more on winter heating. The rest of the answers will explain some difference between Charlesville and Taychester that accounts for the greater winter heating expenses in Charlesville.
A
Heat loss due to wind is less in Taychester than in Charlesville.
This could explain why Charlesville residents spend more on winter heating: even with the higher temperatures, the wind causes more heat to escape houses there than it does in Taychester (which probably means it’s windier in Charlesville, but could be due to house structures).
B
Although Charlesville is always fairly warm during the daytime, temperatures in Charlesville drop steeply at night.
This doesn’t matter. Even if it’s way colder in Charlesville at night than it is during the day, the stimulus says that it’s always at least ten degrees colder in Taychester, night or day. We’d still expect the heating expenses there to be greater.
C
Utility rates in Taychester are lower than utility rates in Charlesville.
This could explain why Charlesville residents spend more on winter heating: the rates there are just higher! Even if they’re not actually using as much heat as the Taychester residents are, they’re paying more because it’s simply more expensive to heat a home in Charlesville.
D
People who are used to warmer temperatures generally keep their homes warmer in the winter than do people who are used to colder temperatures.
This could explain why Charlesville residents spend more on winter heating. Accustomed to colder temperatures, Taychester residents are less fazed by the winter than are the people in Charlesville, who are spoiled by a warmer climate and choose to heat their homes more.
E
Houses in colder climates are usually better insulated than houses in warmer climates.
This could explain why Charlesville residents spend more on winter heating: they have to generate more heat to make up for what they lose to poor insulation.