Chapter 1- Identifying conclusion

In the following argument, identify the main conclusion.

As with markets in general, it is possible to try to manipulate prediction markets. For example, traders may attempt to lower the price of a stock by short selling, or spreading negative rumors about a stock. However, because there is a substantial profit incentive to bet against such manipulators, this sort of manipulation is unlikely to be effective in the long run.

• It is possible to try to manipulate prediction markets.

• Traders may attempt to lower the price of a stock by short selling or by negative rumors.

• There is a substantial profit incentive to bet against manipulators.

• Manipulation of prediction markets is unlikely to be effective in the long run.

Answer explanation

“Because” is the premise indicator that leads to the conclusion

In the following argument, identify the main conclusion.

The men under the explosion were actually in a relatively safe position. The bomb had a small yield, at least by nuclear standards, and it was 18,000 feet above them. They weren’t directly in the path of the radiation, and because it was small and far away it wouldn’t have produced much radioactive dust. The worst radioactive material would take a while to drift down, and when it did it would have been diffuse.

• Those guys were actually in a relatively safe position

• They weren’t in the path of immediate radiation.

• The bomb wouldn’t have produced much radioactive dust

• The worst radioactive material would slowly and diffusely descend

Answer explanation

Though there are no indicator words, the whole passage supports the first sentence.

In the following argument, identify the main conclusion.

We need to bring our oldest, the teenager, to the phone store, since he can give us helpful advice about shopping for the best phone. And if he’s coming with us, then we can’t leave the baby at home with his young siblings. And both parents have to come to the store, since one of us is the authorized name on the account and has to be there to give permission for any changes to the account, and the other is the one shopping for a new phone. So the baby has to come to the phone store too.

• We need to bring the teenager to the phone store.

• The teenager can give us helpful advice about shopping for the best phone.

• Both parents have to come to the phone store.

• The baby has to come to the phone store

Answer explanation

Though there are subconclusions, the final conclusion is marked by the indicator “so.”

Identify the conclusion in the following argument.

While the 19th-century British idealists read Hegel as an arch-metaphysician of the Absolute, modern Hegelians interpret their idol as a modest pragmatist, resolving metaphysical arguments in the practices of post-Wittgensteinian forms of life. That Hegel can be interpreted in such wildly contrary ways shows that his works are so obscurely written as to be worthless, since they are evidently elastic enough to fit any sort of philosophical agenda.

• Modern Hegelians interpret Hegel as a modest pragmatist.

• Hegel is not an arch-metaphysician of the Absolute.

• Hegel can be interpreted in wildly contrary ways.

• Hegel’s works are so obscurely written as to be worthless.

Answer explanation

The word “since” is the indicator word showing a premise, and immediately preceding the “since” is the conclusion. The first sentence supports this conclusion by pointing out how Hegel is interpreted in varying ways.

Identify the conclusion in the following argument.

I’ve sifted through almost every discussion in online dog breeder forums and have read so much that it’s starting to blur. I’ve written academic papers that required less research than I’ve done about these dogs. The more I read, the more convinced I am that an Alaskan Spitz would be the perfect companion. He and my other dog can get carsick together. The pictures and videos make me squeal with delight.

• I’ve read so much about Alaskan Spitz dogs it’s starting to blur.

• I’ve written the equivalent of a lengthy research paper on these dogs.

• An Alaskan Spitz would be the perfect companion.

• Pictures and videos of Alaskan Spitz dogs make me squeak with delight.

Answer explanation

While there are no obvious indicator words, the phrase “the more convinced I am that” indicates that what follows is a proposition the speaker is convinced of on the basis of other reasons. Choice “c” is the closest equivalent.

Identify the conclusion in the following argument.

The interests of all, whether high or low, are equal. The members of the working classes are citizens by nature and by the same right as the rich; they are real parts, living the life which makes up, through the family, the body of the commonwealth . . . therefore the public administration must duly and solicitously provide for the welfare and the comfort of the working classes; otherwise, that law of justice will be violated which ordains that each man shall have his due. – Pope Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum

• The interests of all, whether high or low, are equal.

• The members of the working classes are citizens by nature and have the same rights as the rich.

• Public administration must duly and solicitously provide for the welfare and comfort of the working classes.

• The law of justice will be violated which ordains that each man shall have his due.

Answer explanation

The indicator word “therefore” identifies the conclusion. The rest of the choices are premises.

Identify the conclusion in the following argument.

My character would never betray his old friend and superior officer. This plot twist is cheap and contrived. You need to rewrite this whole story, because if this goes on, I’m going to quit the show.

• My character would never betray his old friend and superior officer.

• This plot twist is cheap and contrived.

• You need to rewrite this whole story.

• If this goes on, I’m going to quit the show.

Answer explanation

The indicator word “because” is the best clue to the overall point of the passage.

Identify the conclusion in the following argument.

Wild hogs often damage newly planted seedlings and food crops by rooting, and that also causes soil erosion. In addition, hogs compete with other animals that also forage, usually crowding them out. Lastly, hogs are vectors for diseases communicable to humans and livestock. Farmers should always take vigorous action to reduce wild hog populations near their land.

• Wild hogs often damage new plants and cause soil erosion.

• Wild hogs compete with other foraging animals.

• Wild hogs spread disease to humans and livestock.

• Farmers should take vigorous action to reduce wild hog populations near their land.

Answer explanation

Although there are no indicator words, the last statement is the conclusion, the point of the passage, for which the other statements offer support.

In the following argument, identify the main conclusion.

There will never be a fifth face added to Mount Rushmore. People are used to it as it is. Moreover, political culture in the U.S. is more divisive than ever, so no one will be able to agree on whom to add.

• There will never be a fifth face added to Mount Rushmore.

• People are used to Mount Rushmore as it is.

• Political culture in the U.S. is more divisive than ever.

• No one will be able to agree on whom to add.

Answer explanation

The “so” in the last sentence introduces a subconclusion, but that in turn is being offered as support for the first sentence.

Identify the conclusion in the following argument.

My phone isn’t an Apple, and it’s not a Galaxy III, and those are the only phones that have state-of-the-art voice recognition personal assistant programs. So I can’t just ask my phone to find stuff for me.

• My phone isn’t an Apple.

• My phone isn’t a Galaxy III.

• Only Apples and Galaxy III phones have state-of-the-art voice recognition personal assistant programs.

• I can’t just ask my phone to find stuff for me.

Answer explanation

The indicator word “so” helps identify the conclusion. The other statements are offered in support of this claim.