#17 - Legislator: University humanities departments bring

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation

Method-Argument Part. The correct answer choice is (C).

Answer choice (A):

Answer choice (B):

Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice.

Answer choice (D):

Answer choice (E):


This explanation is still in progress. Please post any questions below!

[mseggio]

By identifying the conclusion, we know that the segment of the stimulus in question is not in any way a conclusion (intermediate, nor overall). So, the answer choice will name this segment as a premise in some way, whether directly or indirectly. This automatically eliminates answer choices D and E.

Additionally, answer choice B can be eliminated because the segment in question is not "rejected by the argument's conclusion."

This leaves choices A and C.
- A: The argument makes no mention of an alleged stereotype that uses the segment in question as support.

Therefore, C is our answer.
Why? The segment of the sentence is really just one part of the two part premise that supports the argument's overall conclusion that it is a mistake to cut humanities departments when facing budget shortfalls.

[katehos]

By identifying the conclusion, we know that the segment of the stimulus in question is not in any way a conclusion (intermediate, nor overall). So, the answer choice will name this segment as a premise in some way, whether directly or indirectly. This automatically eliminates answer choices D and E.

Additionally, answer choice B can be eliminated because the segment in question is not "rejected by the argument's conclusion."

This leaves choices A and C.
- A: The argument makes no mention of an alleged stereotype that uses the segment in question as support.

Therefore, C is our answer.
Why? The segment of the sentence is really just one part of the two part premise that supports the argument's overall conclusion that it is a mistake to cut humanities departments when facing budget shortfalls.

Hi mseggio,

Great work on your analysis of this question ! You've got it!

Kate

[edwardrip]

E -It is one of many claims each presented as independent support for the argument's overall conclusion.

Out of curiosity, what would a stimulus like this even look like? Could you possibly provide an example.

[Adam Tyson]

Thanks for the question, edwardrip! Answer E describes a premise in an argument in which each premise, by itself, directly supports the main conclusion, without relying on each other. That would look more like this, using the same basic topic as the stimulus:

Research and teaching cost less in humanities than in sciences.

Alumni are more likely to support their alma mater if it maintains a strong humanities program.

The humanities are an essential aspect of the university mission of creating well-rounded students prepared to face a variety of challenges in their lives after graduation.

Thus, it is a mistake for universities to cut humanities departments when facing budget shortfalls.

In this argument, each premise independently supports the main conclusion, while none of them relates to the others. You could remove any one of the premises and the argument would be essentially unchanged, because no premise relied on another premise. In other words, there were no intermediate conclusions. The argument didn't build from one idea to another to another.

Of course, that's not what happened in the actual argument in this case. Instead, some of the premises supported other premises, which in turn built to the main conclusion. That's why E is an incorrect description of the role played by that first premise.