Summarize Argument: Phenomenon-Hypothesis
The author hypothesizes that maté probably originated in Paraguay. This hypothesis is based on the observations that more varieties of maté are found in Paraguay than are found in any other country, and that maté is used more widely in Paraguay than in any other country.
Notable Assumptions
The author assumes that how many varieties of a drink there are and how widely used that drink is in a particular country are truly indicators of that drink originating in that country. The author also assumes that there isn’t compelling evidence that maté originated elsewhere (in other words, that would suggest an alternative hypothesis).
A
It is rare for there to be a great variety of types of a beverage in a place where the beverage has not been in use for a very long time.
This is irrelevant, because whether or not maté has been in use in Paraguay for a long time isn’t the same question as whether or not maté originated in Paraguay. This doesn’t help us with maté’s origin.
B
Many Paraguayans believe that maté became popular at a time when people from other areas of South America were first migrating to Paraguay.
This doesn’t strengthen because when maté became popular still doesn’t indicate anything about its origins. If we assume that the migration mentioned is related to maté’s popularity, this could even weaken by suggesting that maté was imported to Paraguay.
C
Many Paraguayans believe that the best maté is found in Paraguay.
This is totally irrelevant. What Paraguayans think about where the best maté can be found has no bearing on where maté originated.
D
There are few places outside of South America where maté is regularly consumed.
This doesn’t tell us anything specific to Paraguay, so doesn’t help us decide whether maté really did likely originate in Paraguay, or whether it originated in another South American country.
E
Typically, the longer a beverage has been in use in a particular place, the more widely that beverage is used there.
This strengthens by affirming the author’s assumption that the wider use of maté in Paraguay than in any other country suggests that maté has a longer history in Paraguay than elsewhere. That would definitely support the hypothesis that maté originated in Paraguay.
Summarize Argument: Phenomenon-Hypothesis
Opponents of the political party hypothesize that the 10% decrease in average family income was a result of government mismanagement. They give no support for this claim.
Notable Assumptions
Opponents of the political party assume that no other factor—a worldwide or regional economic downturn, for example—besides government mismanagement caused the 10% decrease in average family income.
A
There had been a rise in family income in 1996, after adjustments for inflation.
We don’t care what happened one year. We’re trying to weaken the connection between the 10% decrease and government mismanagement.
B
For noneconomic reasons, fewer families had multiple incomes at the end of the period than at the beginning.
Rather than being caused by the government’s economic mismanagement, the 10% decrease has a noneconomic cause.
C
During the period, international events beyond the control of the country’s government had a negative effect on family incomes in the country.
The government wasn’t responsible for the global events that caused the 10% decrease.
D
Younger wage earners usually earn less than older ones, and the average age of household wage earners fell during most years in the past several decades.
Demographic issues, rather than economic mismanagement, caused the 10% decrease.
E
The biggest decreases in family income resulted from policies enacted before the ruling party came to power in 1996.
The ruling party wasn’t responsible for the policies that caused the 10% decrease. Thus, they aren’t guilty of economic mismanagement that led to the 10% decrease.
Summarize Argument
The author concludes that semiplaning monohulls will probably be profitable. This is supported by an analogy to jet airplanes, which were profitable despite their increased cost to consumers, because the planes were faster and more reliable than other kinds of planes. Semiplaning monohulls, although more expensive than other ships, are faster. Thus, in the same way that jet airplanes were profitable, the author thinks semiplaning monohulls will be profitable, too.
Identify Argument Part
The referenced text is a concession that the author believes will not stop semiplaning monohulls from being profitable.
A
It serves as one of two analogies drawn between semiplaning monohulls and jet airplanes, which function together to support the argument’s main conclusion.
The point about increased expense of semiplaning monohulls doesn’t support the conclusion. It’s a concession. Despite the increased expense, semiplaning monohulls will still be profitable.
B
It draws an analogy between semiplaning monohulls and conventional ships that constitutes an objection to the argument’s main conclusion, one that is subsequently rejected by appeal to another analogy.
The argument doesn’t involve two separate analogies. There’s one analogy to jet airplanes.
C
It draws a distinction between characteristics of semiplaning monohulls and characteristics of conventional ships that independently provides support for the argument’s main conclusion.
The point about increased expense does not support the conclusion. It’s a concession. Despite the increase expense, semiplaning monohulls will still be profitable.
D
It constitutes a potential objection to the argument’s main conclusion, but is subsequently countered by an analogy drawn between ships and airplanes.
This accurately describes the role of the referenced text. Despite the increased expense, semiplaning monohulls will still be profitable, just as jet airplanes were profitable.
E
It draws a distinction between characteristics of semiplaning monohulls and characteristics of conventional ships that the argument’s main conclusion compares to a distinction between types of airplanes.
The main conclusion is that semiplaning monohulls will be profitable. Although the reasoning that supports the conclusion compares monohulls to jet airplanes, the conclusion itself does not make a comparison.