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- Tue Sep 21, 2021 4:04 pm
#90631
Complete Question Explanation
Main Point. The correct answer choice is (E).
We are being asked to identify the conclusion of the science writer's argument. In identifying a conclusion, it can be helpful to look for conclusion indicators, like "therefore." In this stimulus, we see the word "thus" used in the final sentence, which makes it a good candidate for the conclusion, but a closer examination of the stimulus is required to ensure it is not an intermediate conclusion.
The writer begins by mentioning the results of various studies, which indicates that North Americans are becoming more lethargic. The writer then describes the conclusion of one researcher, who states that fast-food consumption has an adverse effect on people's health. The writer then provides a statistic that shows that the average North American family has increased their fast-food consumption since the 1970s. But instead of agreeing with the researcher, the writer then brings up the issue of exercise. Few lethargic adults, we are told, exercise regularly, and a lack of exercise can contribute to lethargy. Thus, the aforementioned studies alone do not settle the question of whether fast food is unhealthy.
In determining whether a part of an argument is a conclusion, it's important to ask a couple of questions. Firstly, because main conclusions tend to be opinions, when does the author provide an opinion? Here, the author provides background info, another individual's conclusion based on the data, an additional consideration, and finally, their own opinion on the study. We really only see an opinion in the final sentence.
And secondly, where does the argument stop advancing? Here, the author seems to be providing everything to support their final sentence. Nowhere in the argument does the author use this final sentence to then support another opinion. For example, the author does not then go on to say "Because these studies do not settle the question of whether fast food is unhealthy, we can safely consume copious amount of Burger King with no adverse affects." The argument stops at the idea that the studies do not settle the question. So, it doesn't appear to be an intermediate conclusion, but rather the main one.
Answer choice (A): This is a premise of the argument.
Answer choice (B): The argument never said this. Notice the use of the conditional phrase "only when" which was never stated by the argument. Skip.
Answer choice (C): We never see any data from the researcher themself, so this answer choice can be dismissed on that point alone. But also, the stimulus never stated any opinion that the consumption of fast food is not the main cause of poor health in North Americans. Skip.
Answer choice (D): We have no idea whether the studies themselves even considered possible causes of lethargy, just that North Americans are becoming more lethargic, so this answer choice can be safely dismissed. The main issue the science writer had was whether the studies can be used to justify the researcher's conclusion. Remember to always pay careful attention to precisely what an author said, and to think through answer choices to see if they are really saying what you think they're saying.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. Bingo. This is exactly what the author was concluding in the stimulus.
Main Point. The correct answer choice is (E).
We are being asked to identify the conclusion of the science writer's argument. In identifying a conclusion, it can be helpful to look for conclusion indicators, like "therefore." In this stimulus, we see the word "thus" used in the final sentence, which makes it a good candidate for the conclusion, but a closer examination of the stimulus is required to ensure it is not an intermediate conclusion.
The writer begins by mentioning the results of various studies, which indicates that North Americans are becoming more lethargic. The writer then describes the conclusion of one researcher, who states that fast-food consumption has an adverse effect on people's health. The writer then provides a statistic that shows that the average North American family has increased their fast-food consumption since the 1970s. But instead of agreeing with the researcher, the writer then brings up the issue of exercise. Few lethargic adults, we are told, exercise regularly, and a lack of exercise can contribute to lethargy. Thus, the aforementioned studies alone do not settle the question of whether fast food is unhealthy.
In determining whether a part of an argument is a conclusion, it's important to ask a couple of questions. Firstly, because main conclusions tend to be opinions, when does the author provide an opinion? Here, the author provides background info, another individual's conclusion based on the data, an additional consideration, and finally, their own opinion on the study. We really only see an opinion in the final sentence.
And secondly, where does the argument stop advancing? Here, the author seems to be providing everything to support their final sentence. Nowhere in the argument does the author use this final sentence to then support another opinion. For example, the author does not then go on to say "Because these studies do not settle the question of whether fast food is unhealthy, we can safely consume copious amount of Burger King with no adverse affects." The argument stops at the idea that the studies do not settle the question. So, it doesn't appear to be an intermediate conclusion, but rather the main one.
Answer choice (A): This is a premise of the argument.
Answer choice (B): The argument never said this. Notice the use of the conditional phrase "only when" which was never stated by the argument. Skip.
Answer choice (C): We never see any data from the researcher themself, so this answer choice can be dismissed on that point alone. But also, the stimulus never stated any opinion that the consumption of fast food is not the main cause of poor health in North Americans. Skip.
Answer choice (D): We have no idea whether the studies themselves even considered possible causes of lethargy, just that North Americans are becoming more lethargic, so this answer choice can be safely dismissed. The main issue the science writer had was whether the studies can be used to justify the researcher's conclusion. Remember to always pay careful attention to precisely what an author said, and to think through answer choices to see if they are really saying what you think they're saying.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. Bingo. This is exactly what the author was concluding in the stimulus.
