- Studies show that regular exercise reduces stress, improves mood, and enhances cognitive function. Therefore, even those who are not seeking physical fitness benefits should consider incorporating exercise into their daily routine. The statement that regular exercise improves mood plays which one of the following roles in the argument?
Answer: It provides a premise for the argument's recommendation.
The argument's conclusion is clear: people not seeking physical fitness should still exercise. The statement about exercise improving mood serves as one of three supporting premises (along with stress reduction and cognitive enhancement) that collectively justify this recommendation. Each benefit listed—stress reduction, mood improvement, and cognitive enhancement—functions as evidence supporting why even non-fitness-focused individuals should exercise. Choice B is tempting because it might seem like the statement is a conclusion, but it's actually part of the evidence base rather than what the argument is trying to prove. In role questions, distinguish between what the argument is trying to establish (the conclusion) and what information is used to establish it (the premises).
- The marketing director argues that the company should stop buying billboard ads. Billboard spending has increased each quarter for a year, yet sales have not increased over that period. Meanwhile, the company's online ads cost less per customer reached, and web traffic rose after the last online campaign. Some people insist billboards build "brand awareness," but they offer no way to measure it. So the company should stop buying billboard ads. Which one of the following best describes the role played by the statement that sales have not increased over that period?
Answer: It provides evidence intended to show that a strategy has failed to achieve its goal.
The argument's main conclusion is that the company should stop buying billboard ads. The statement that sales have not increased functions as evidence showing that billboard advertising has failed to achieve its presumed goal of driving sales. This creates a key premise supporting the director's recommendation to eliminate billboard spending. The fact that spending increased while sales remained flat demonstrates the strategy's ineffectiveness. Answer choice (B) might be tempting because the statement could seem like an intermediate conclusion, but it's actually presented as an observed fact rather than something concluded from other premises. In role questions, distinguish between factual observations that serve as evidence and conclusions drawn from that evidence.
- Despite the initial high cost, electric vehicles are more economical in the long run due to lower fuel and maintenance expenses. The statement that electric vehicles are more economical in the long run plays which one of the following roles in the argument?
Answer: It supports the argument's recommendation for electric vehicles.
The argument acknowledges an initial barrier (high cost) but argues for electric vehicles based on long-term economic benefits. The statement about long-term economy serves as the key supporting reason for choosing electric vehicles despite the upfront expense. This creates a 'despite X, Y because Z' structure where the economic benefits justify the recommendation despite the acknowledged cost barrier. Choice B might seem appealing because the argument does acknowledge high costs, but the statement about long-term economy actually supports rather than concedes to any opposing viewpoint—it provides the justification for the recommendation. When analyzing arguments with acknowledged obstacles, determine whether statements overcome those obstacles (support) or grant their validity (concession).
- A student argues that the university should require an introductory logic course for all majors. Students who take logic, the student says, tend to perform better in advanced writing courses, and employers often complain that graduates lack clear reasoning skills. The student adds that the logic department currently has several professors with light teaching loads. So the university can add the requirement without hiring new faculty. Therefore, the requirement should be adopted. The statement that the logic department currently has several professors with light teaching loads plays which one of the following roles in the argument?
Answer: It provides support for the claim that adopting the requirement is feasible without additional staffing costs.
The student's argument concludes that the university should adopt a logic course requirement for all majors, citing benefits like better writing and employer needs. The statement that the logic department has professors with light teaching loads supports this by showing feasibility without extra costs, addressing a practical barrier to implementation. Choice A correctly identifies it as a premise bolstering feasibility, directly tying to the conclusion's practicality. Students might pick D, mistaking it for a restatement of another premise, but it's distinct in focusing on staffing. A general tip: Look at how the statement addresses unstated assumptions in context, like cost here, to clarify its supportive role in the argument's logic.
- A newspaper editorial argues that the city's recycling campaign is effective. Since the campaign began, the tonnage of recycled materials collected each month has increased. The editorial notes that during the same period, the city also expanded curbside pickup to several new neighborhoods. Still, the editorial concludes that the campaign itself is responsible for the increase, so the city should fund a larger advertising push for it next year.
The claim that the city expanded curbside pickup to several new neighborhoods during the same period plays which one of the following roles in the editorial's argument?
Answer: It states a competing explanation for the increase that the editorial does not adequately address.
The editorial's main conclusion is that the recycling campaign itself is responsible for increased tonnage and should receive more funding. The referenced statement notes that curbside pickup expanded to new neighborhoods during the same period as the campaign. This statement presents a competing explanation for the increased tonnage—the expansion could account for the increase rather than the campaign's effectiveness. Choice A correctly identifies this role: it states a competing explanation that the editorial doesn't adequately address. Choice C is tempting but incorrect—the statement about expanded pickup isn't the main conclusion; it's evidence that undermines the editorial's causal claim. When evaluating role questions, distinguish between statements that support the conclusion versus those that introduce alternative explanations the argument overlooks.
- The museum director argues that the new exhibit is a success. Ticket revenue rose after the exhibit opened, and the director notes that many visitors praised the exhibit in comment cards. However, the museum also raised ticket prices at the same time the exhibit opened. Still, because revenue increased, the exhibit must have attracted more visitors than before. Which one of the following best describes the role played by the statement that the museum also raised ticket prices at the same time the exhibit opened?
Answer: It offers a consideration that undermines the inference from higher revenue to higher attendance.
Here, the argument concludes that the exhibit must have attracted more visitors, inferred from the revenue increase despite mixed evidence like comment cards. The statement that the museum raised ticket prices when the exhibit opened plays the role of a consideration that undermines the inference from higher revenue to higher attendance, as it suggests revenue could rise without more visitors. This is aptly described in choice B, which highlights its function in challenging the director's reasoning by introducing an alternative explanation for the revenue boost. A common trap is A, which wrongly treats it as a premise proving attendance rose, but it actually casts doubt on that very inference. When determining a statement's role, pay close attention to transitional words like 'however' that signal opposition or undermining, providing a key strategy for these questions.
- The role of the statement "While it is true that nonnative trees grow faster" is to:
Answer: Acknowledge a consideration that the argument addresses and rejects.
It concedes the opposing point about growth rate and is immediately shown to be irrelevant, serving as a counterconsideration. The other choices mislabel it as a conclusion, background, favorable evidence, or a supporting premise.
- The role of the statement "However, patients in the placebo group improved at the same rate, and both groups followed the same exercise plan." is to:
Answer: provide evidence undermining a rival explanation, thereby supporting the author's conclusion
It supplies counterevidence to the causal claim about the supplement and thus supports the author's conclusion. It is not the conclusion, background, a concession, or a subsidiary inference.
- Since the mayor favors the tax, and council follows the mayor, the tax will pass. 'The tax will pass' is
Answer: The argument's main conclusion
The two claims about the mayor and the council are reasons offered to support the claim that the tax will pass, and that claim supports nothing further in the argument. So it is the main conclusion. The tempting mistake is to call it an intermediate conclusion, but an intermediate conclusion must also serve as a premise for another conclusion, which it does not here.
- Although many believe that eating organic food is healthier, studies have shown that there is little nutritional difference between organic and conventionally grown produce. The statement that organic food is perceived as healthier plays which one of the following roles in the argument?
Answer: It introduces a common belief that the argument challenges.
The argument's structure begins by acknowledging a widespread belief about organic food being healthier, then challenges this belief with scientific evidence showing little nutritional difference. The statement about people believing organic food is healthier introduces the common assumption that the argument will then refute with evidence. This creates a 'many believe X, but studies show Y' pattern where the initial belief sets up the target for the argument's contradiction. Choice B is tempting because the statement does provide information, but its specific role is to establish the belief that will be challenged rather than support the argument's ultimate conclusion. Look for phrases like 'many believe,' 'it is commonly thought,' or 'people assume' that signal when a statement introduces a view the argument will challenge.
- A board member argues that the nonprofit should publish its donor list. Publishing the list would increase transparency, and transparency tends to increase public trust. The nonprofit has recently faced rumors of improper influence, and those rumors have reduced volunteer sign-ups. Some donors might prefer anonymity, but donors who strongly value privacy could still give through a donor-advised fund. Therefore, the nonprofit should publish its donor list. The statement that the nonprofit has recently faced rumors of improper influence plays which one of the following roles in the argument?
Answer: It provides context indicating why increasing transparency is especially important in this case.
The board member's conclusion is that the nonprofit should publish its donor list. The statement about rumors of improper influence provides context explaining why transparency is particularly important in this situation. It shows the organization faces a specific trust problem that publishing the donor list could help address, making the recommendation more urgent and relevant. Answer choice (A) is tempting because the statement might seem like just background information, but it specifically establishes why increased transparency is needed now rather than in general. Context statements in arguments typically show why a general recommendation applies with special force to the particular situation at hand.
- A resident argues that the city should plant more street trees. Streets with more trees tend to be cooler in summer, and cooler streets reduce energy use for air conditioning. In addition, trees absorb stormwater, and our city has paid large fines for stormwater runoff violations. Some critics say trees require maintenance, but the city already has a parks crew that could handle most of it. Thus, planting more street trees would save the city money in the long run. The statement that our city has paid large fines for stormwater runoff violations plays which one of the following roles in the argument?
Answer: It provides evidence that the city's current situation includes a cost that trees could help reduce.
The resident's conclusion is that planting more street trees would save the city money. The statement about the city paying large fines for stormwater violations provides evidence of a current expense that trees could help reduce, since trees "absorb stormwater." This shows the city has a specific cost problem that the proposed solution could address, strengthening the economic argument for tree planting. Answer choice (C) is tempting because the statement involves costs, but it describes an existing problem rather than conceding that tree planting has drawbacks. When identifying supporting evidence, look for facts that demonstrate needs, problems, or benefits that the proposed action could address.
- A curator argues that the museum should not loan a fragile painting for an overseas exhibition. The painting's canvas has already been repaired twice, and vibrations during transport can cause further cracking. The borrowing museum promises careful handling, but it cannot control turbulence during flight or sudden temperature changes during loading. While the loan fee would help fund conservation, losing the painting's integrity would be a far greater cost. Therefore, the museum should not loan the painting. Which one of the following best describes the role played by the statement that vibrations during transport can cause further cracking?
Answer: It provides a premise explaining why transporting the painting poses a risk.
The curator's conclusion is that the museum should not loan the painting. The statement about vibrations causing further cracking explains a specific mechanism by which transportation could damage the already-fragile artwork. This provides the causal reasoning connecting the transport process to the risk of harm, supporting the decision to refuse the loan request. Answer choice (B) is tempting because the statement relates to the conclusion about the loan, but it explains why transport is risky rather than stating the final decision. When analyzing risk-based arguments, look for statements that explain the causal mechanisms by which proposed actions could lead to negative outcomes.
- The role of the statement "But policies that predictably exclude vulnerable riders are unjustifiable" is to:
Answer: State a general principle that, along with factual premises, supports the conclusion.
It supplies a normative principle that, combined with facts about exclusion, supports rejecting the ban. The other choices misdescribe it as the conclusion, background, an objection, or an example.
- The role of the statement "Thus, weekday attendance is likely to rise." is to:
Answer: serve as an intermediate conclusion that supports the final recommendation
It is a subsidiary inference drawn from the survey and office growth that supports piloting mobile ticketing. It is not the final conclusion, background, a concession, or an example.
- A librarian argues that eliminating late fees will increase the return rate of overdue books. A neighboring town eliminated late fees, and the number of overdue books in its library system decreased. The librarian acknowledges that the neighboring town also introduced automated reminder texts to patrons around the same time. Still, the librarian concludes that the absence of late fees must be what reduced overdues and urges adopting the same policy.
The librarian's acknowledgment that the neighboring town also introduced automated reminder texts around the same time plays which one of the following roles in the argument?
Answer: It offers a separate change that could have been responsible for the reduction in overdue books.
The librarian's main conclusion is that the absence of late fees reduced overdues and the same policy should be adopted. The referenced statement acknowledges that the neighboring town also introduced automated reminder texts around the same time as eliminating late fees. This statement offers a separate change—automated reminders—that could have been responsible for the reduction in overdue books instead of or in addition to eliminating fees. Choice A correctly captures this role: it offers a separate change that could have been responsible for the reduction. Choice B is incorrect because this statement doesn't state the conclusion—it complicates the causal reasoning. When arguments attribute an improvement to policy changes, examine whether other simultaneous changes could account for the observed results.
- At a city council meeting, a councilor argues that the town should ban food trucks from operating downtown on weekends. Several downtown restaurants reported a 10% drop in weekend sales after food trucks began operating there. The councilor adds that most food-truck customers would otherwise have eaten at those restaurants. However, the councilor also notes that overall downtown foot traffic has increased since food trucks arrived. Therefore, banning food trucks downtown on weekends will restore restaurant sales to their previous levels.
The claim that overall downtown foot traffic has increased since food trucks arrived plays which one of the following roles in the councilor's argument?
Answer: It offers a concession that acknowledges evidence apparently at odds with the councilor's position.
The argument's main conclusion is that banning food trucks will restore restaurant sales to previous levels. The referenced statement acknowledges that downtown foot traffic has increased since food trucks arrived, which actually suggests food trucks might benefit the area overall. This statement functions as a concession—the councilor admits evidence that appears to contradict their position before dismissing it. Choice D correctly identifies this role: the statement acknowledges evidence apparently at odds with the councilor's anti-food-truck stance. Choice C is tempting because the statement does provide factual information, but it doesn't state the conclusion—it provides evidence that seemingly undermines it. When analyzing role-of-a-statement questions, pay careful attention to whether the statement supports, opposes, or complicates the main conclusion.
- The role of the statement "Some claim that skipping breakfast accelerates weight loss" is to
Answer: introduce a position the argument sets out to rebut.
It introduces a view the author challenges and ultimately rejects. The other options misidentify it as the conclusion, a supporting premise, mere background, or an intermediate conclusion.
- The role of the statement 'If a policy predictably harms the most vulnerable without offsetting benefit, it should be rejected.' is to
Answer: State a normative principle that the argument applies to reach its conclusion.
It provides a principle the author applies to justify rejecting the plan. It is not the conclusion, a description of effects, a concession, or unrelated background.
- A principal argues that banning smartphones during lunch will reduce bullying. After a nearby school instituted such a ban, reported bullying incidents decreased. The principal notes, however, that the nearby school also hired additional lunchtime monitors at the same time. Even so, the principal concludes that the smartphone ban caused the decrease and proposes the same ban at her school.
The claim that the nearby school also hired additional lunchtime monitors at the same time plays which one of the following roles in the principal's argument?
Answer: It states a consideration that could explain the decrease in bullying without the ban being the cause.
The principal's main conclusion is that the smartphone ban caused the decrease in bullying and should be adopted at her school. The referenced statement notes that the nearby school also hired additional lunchtime monitors at the same time as instituting the smartphone ban. This statement identifies a consideration—increased supervision—that could explain the decrease in bullying incidents without the ban being the cause. Choice A correctly captures this role: it states a consideration that could explain the decrease without the ban being the cause. Choice B is incorrect because this statement doesn't provide the conclusion—it introduces evidence that complicates the causal claim. When evaluating causal arguments, pay attention to statements that identify simultaneous changes that could serve as alternative explanations.
