Strengthen V MBT

[akatormubarez]

I am not sure why "Which one of the following, if true, would provide the most support for the critics assertion?" is a strengthen question whereas "The statements above, if true, most strongly support which one of the following?" is a MBT question. Can you please explain? Thank you.

[Ron Gore]

Hi, akatormubarez. Thanks for your question.

The difference between the question stems you've identified is the information flow implied by them. The first question stem, from a Strengthen question, tells you to select the answer choice, i.e., "one of the following", that provides the most support for the conclusion in the stimulus, i.e., the critic's assertion. Because you are bringing new information into the argument to support the conclusion, it's a strengthen question.

The second example tells you to pick the answer choice that is most supported by "statements above", i.e., the stimulus. This is another way of telling you to select the choice that is most consistent with the information in the stimulus, requiring that you infer from the stimulus rather than adding something to it. This is the role of the Must Be True answer choice, a statement for which support can be found within the stimulus.

Understanding this information flow is a very important part of your prephrase process, since it will inform your understanding of what the answer choices will do for any particular question.

Hope this helps.

Ron

[akatormubarez]

That makes complete sense! I read the Family section but didn't fully comprehend and apply it. Thank you!

[akatormubarez]

I had one more question regarding MBT and MP. How can I identify which one the question stem is since they both come from the same Family? For instance, how would I know whether "Which one of the following is a conclusion that the statements above, if true, most strongly support?" is a MBT or MP question?

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Akator,

It's a difference in the primacy of the conclusion. Main Point question will will either reference the "main" conclusion, or alternately ask you to find "the" conclusion. Must questions simply ask for "a" conclusion (which indicates that they aren't necessarily looking for the main conclusion of the argument). Thus, the question stem you cite would be a MBT question

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!