- PowerScore Staff
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- Tue May 17, 2016 10:35 am
#24958
Complete Question Explanation
Main Point. The correct answer choice is (C)
The stimulus in this question addresses an uncomfortable situation. It explains how, when a patient seeks a second opinion, it can be awkward for three different people: (1) the patient; (2) the first doctor; and (3) the second doctor. The comprehensive way in which the stimulus addresses each actor in this situation helps lead us to answer choice (C).
In a Main Point question, we are looking for the answer choice that best summarizes the main idea, or conclusion, of the stimulus. You can usually break the argument into two parts: the conclusion, and the premises. The premises are simply facts that will support the main conclusion. The best way to find the conclusion in a stimulus is to determine what the author would want you to remember. If you had to explain the argument to a friend, what would the one line you would use to describe it? Here, the author is describing the awkward situation of seeking a second opinion. He or she explains how each participant feels uncomfortable with the process.
Answer choice (A): This answer choice is incorrect as it offers an opinion as to what the patient should or should not do. The stimulus as written is merely describing the situation. It does not recommend a particular course of action, either for the doctors or for the patient. Because the correct answer to a main point question always must be true based solely on the information in the stimulus, this answer choice is wrong.
Answer choice (B): This answer choice is also incorrect, even though factually it must be true based on the stimulus. Many times, however, incorrect answer choices in Main Point questions are actually facts that are true, but just are not the conclusion. This answer choice only addresses a reason that the situation is awkward for one party (the first physician). The conclusion needs to address all facets of the argument, not just one party. Therefore, it also is incorrect.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. As stated above, this is the correct answer choice. The stimulus describes the awkward situation for all involved, and the answer choice encompasses the broad idea of the conclusion.
Answer choice (D): There are two main problems with this stimulus. The first is that it is not comprehensive enough, as it just approaches the situation from the second physician’s point of view. As with answer choice (B), only addressing one party is not sufficient. Additionally, in this answer choice, the statement is not supported by the stimulus. The answer choice states that second physicians are always uncomfortable evaluating the work of a colleague. While strong words like “always,” “only,” and “never,” are not automatically a sign of an incorrect answer choice, you should be aware of how these words can impact the argument. The stimulus says that the process can be awkward, and therefore, we do not know that the second physician would always be uncomfortable. Therefore, this answer choice is not correct.
Answer choice (E): This answer is incorrect for the same reason as answer choice (B). The stimulus is about more than what the patient feels; it is also about how the physicians feel.
Main Point. The correct answer choice is (C)
The stimulus in this question addresses an uncomfortable situation. It explains how, when a patient seeks a second opinion, it can be awkward for three different people: (1) the patient; (2) the first doctor; and (3) the second doctor. The comprehensive way in which the stimulus addresses each actor in this situation helps lead us to answer choice (C).
In a Main Point question, we are looking for the answer choice that best summarizes the main idea, or conclusion, of the stimulus. You can usually break the argument into two parts: the conclusion, and the premises. The premises are simply facts that will support the main conclusion. The best way to find the conclusion in a stimulus is to determine what the author would want you to remember. If you had to explain the argument to a friend, what would the one line you would use to describe it? Here, the author is describing the awkward situation of seeking a second opinion. He or she explains how each participant feels uncomfortable with the process.
Answer choice (A): This answer choice is incorrect as it offers an opinion as to what the patient should or should not do. The stimulus as written is merely describing the situation. It does not recommend a particular course of action, either for the doctors or for the patient. Because the correct answer to a main point question always must be true based solely on the information in the stimulus, this answer choice is wrong.
Answer choice (B): This answer choice is also incorrect, even though factually it must be true based on the stimulus. Many times, however, incorrect answer choices in Main Point questions are actually facts that are true, but just are not the conclusion. This answer choice only addresses a reason that the situation is awkward for one party (the first physician). The conclusion needs to address all facets of the argument, not just one party. Therefore, it also is incorrect.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. As stated above, this is the correct answer choice. The stimulus describes the awkward situation for all involved, and the answer choice encompasses the broad idea of the conclusion.
Answer choice (D): There are two main problems with this stimulus. The first is that it is not comprehensive enough, as it just approaches the situation from the second physician’s point of view. As with answer choice (B), only addressing one party is not sufficient. Additionally, in this answer choice, the statement is not supported by the stimulus. The answer choice states that second physicians are always uncomfortable evaluating the work of a colleague. While strong words like “always,” “only,” and “never,” are not automatically a sign of an incorrect answer choice, you should be aware of how these words can impact the argument. The stimulus says that the process can be awkward, and therefore, we do not know that the second physician would always be uncomfortable. Therefore, this answer choice is not correct.
Answer choice (E): This answer is incorrect for the same reason as answer choice (B). The stimulus is about more than what the patient feels; it is also about how the physicians feel.