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- Joined: Feb 02, 2011
- Sat Jul 01, 2017 1:34 pm
#36779
Complete Question Explanation
Point at Issue. The correct answer choice is (B)
The dialogue presented in this stimulus reflects Chai’s belief that the term “tree” is scientifically
inadequate, because this one term is used to describe plants with different lineages. Dodd responds that
use of the term “tree” does highlight some important structural similarities between the two, making the
term scientifically acceptable.
With a dialogue stimulus, we can often glean more about the point at issue from the words of the second
speaker, who is more likely to spell out the point of contention between the two. In this case the pair is
arguing about the scientific adequacy of the term “tree.”
Answer choice (A): The dialogue does not reflect either speaker’s opinion on the general advisability of
using ordinary terms; the discussion surrounds the acceptability of a term for a specific context.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. Chai claims that because of the different
lineages, “tree” is unacceptable. Dodd argues that “tree” is acceptable, so the two disagree on this issue.
Answer choice (C): We are not given enough information in the stimulus to assess either speaker’s
perspective on this issue, so this choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (D): Neither Chai nor Dodd is concerned about lay terminology; they are interested in
whether certain terms are scientifically adequate.
Answer choice (E): Both Chai and Dodd would agree with this statement, given that Chai accepts
Dodd’s definition. Even if Chai did not accept that coniferous and deciduous plants were similar in
structure, he might still agree with this general assertion.
Point at Issue. The correct answer choice is (B)
The dialogue presented in this stimulus reflects Chai’s belief that the term “tree” is scientifically
inadequate, because this one term is used to describe plants with different lineages. Dodd responds that
use of the term “tree” does highlight some important structural similarities between the two, making the
term scientifically acceptable.
With a dialogue stimulus, we can often glean more about the point at issue from the words of the second
speaker, who is more likely to spell out the point of contention between the two. In this case the pair is
arguing about the scientific adequacy of the term “tree.”
Answer choice (A): The dialogue does not reflect either speaker’s opinion on the general advisability of
using ordinary terms; the discussion surrounds the acceptability of a term for a specific context.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. Chai claims that because of the different
lineages, “tree” is unacceptable. Dodd argues that “tree” is acceptable, so the two disagree on this issue.
Answer choice (C): We are not given enough information in the stimulus to assess either speaker’s
perspective on this issue, so this choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (D): Neither Chai nor Dodd is concerned about lay terminology; they are interested in
whether certain terms are scientifically adequate.
Answer choice (E): Both Chai and Dodd would agree with this statement, given that Chai accepts
Dodd’s definition. Even if Chai did not accept that coniferous and deciduous plants were similar in
structure, he might still agree with this general assertion.