September 2007, Section 3, Question 17

[Basia W]

Hello,

I chose D for this question (as did 51% of other test takers apparently) and I was wondering whether you could break down exactly where Graham's conclusion and premises were in this argument.

Thanks!

Best,

Basia

[Robert Carroll]

Basia,

Graham's conclusion is "the best life is a life that is full of activity" and his premise is "a person is truly happy only when doing something." The second part hints that it's a premise by being introduced by the word "since," which indicates that Graham is using this information as evidence for something. That something, the conclusion, comes right after the comma. Graham wants to establish that the best life is a life full of activity, and uses the connection between doing something and happiness as evidence for a connection between activity and the best life. Of course, Graham's argument isn't entirely sound, because Graham never showed that the best life is a happy life, but that's irrelevant here!

The example of sleeping counters the premise that one can be truly happy only when doing something. It doesn't counter Graham's conclusion about the best life. That's why answer choice (B) is correct.

Robert Carroll

[Basia W]

Hello,

thank you for breaking up the argument and for your explanation!

Best,

Basia