Summarize Argument
The argument concludes that one should not confuse the desire for money with the desire for material possessions. Why? Because there are many things that money can buy that are not material possessions, and material possessions are usually desired for experiences they make possible.
Identify Argument Part
The claim is the argument’s main conclusion.
A
It is a generalization from which the argument draws inferences regarding several particular cases.
The claim does not support a specific case. There are no specific cases in this argument, it stays in general territory.
B
It is the overall conclusion of the argument.
The claim is the argument’s main conclusion.
C
It is a subsidiary conclusion used by the argument to support its overall conclusion.
The claim is not a sub-conclusion.
D
It is a recommendation that the argument evaluates by considering specific counterexamples.
The claim is not evaluated by the argument.
E
It alludes to a problem for which the conclusion of the argument offers a solution.
The claim does not identify a problem.
Summary
Studies have concluded that song overlapping is a signal of aggression. These studies are based solely on receiver-response tests, which derive conclusions about behavior based on how others respond to it. Any response, including no response, can be interpreted as a reaction to aggression.
Strongly Supported Conclusions
The studies are inconclusive in showing that song overlapping is a signal of aggression.
A
birds do not respond in a predictable manner to signals of aggression
This is unsupported because we don’t know how birds respond to the signal of aggression based on what the author tells us.
B
receiver-response tests can provide no insight into bird behavior
This is unsupported because even if receiver-response tests could perceive any response as aggression, there may be other ways they could provide insight into bird behavior outside of evaluating the purpose of song overlapping.
C
song overlapping is likely not a signal of aggression
This is unsupported because even though we have reasons to doubt the existing studies conclusion, we cannot go so far as to conclude the opposite. We merely have to acknowledge that the prevailing hypothesis is unsupported.
D
song overlapping has no communicative function
This is unsupported because song overlapping may be used to communicate even if we have reasons to doubt existing studies showing it is a signal of aggression.
E
the conclusion of these studies is unconvincing
This is strongly supported because the studies rely on a method that could show any response to be a signal of aggression. This means we have little reason to believe that song overlapping is uniquely a sign of aggression.
Summary
John’s literature professor believes the ability to judge the greatness of literary works accurately requires years of specialized training. Such training is also required to become a literature professor. Moreover, most of the reading public does not have access to this training.
Notable Valid Inferences
Most of the reading public cannot judge the greatness of literary works accurately.
Most of the reading public are not literature professors.
Most of the reading public are not literature professors.
A
John’s literature professor can judge the greatness of works of literature accurately.
Could be false. This answer choice confuses sufficiency for necessity. We know that literature professors have years of special training, but we don’t know if everyone with this training is also able to judge the greatness of literary works accurately.
B
Anyone who is not a literature professor cannot judge the greatness of works of literature accurately.
Could be false. We don’t have any information in the stimulus about people who are not literature professors. As shown on our diagram, there are no necessary conditions attached to the condition of not being a literature professor.
C
Specialized training like that received by John’s literature professor should be more broadly available to members of the reading public.
Could be false. The stimulus does not make a value judgment about what should occur. We are only given conditions in a matter-of-fact way.
D
Literature professors do not belong to the reading public.
Could be false. As shown on our diagram, we could only infer that most of the reading public are not literature professors.
E
The vast majority of the reading public is unable to judge the greatness of works of literature accurately.
Must be true. As shown below, we can combine the statements that most of the reading public does not have access to special training and that this special training is required for the ability to judge the greatness of literary works accurately. 