- PowerScore Staff
- Posts: 8950
- Joined: Feb 02, 2011
- Sat Mar 03, 2012 3:30 pm
#84783
Complete Question Explanation
Method—Argument Part. The correct answer choice is (E)
The psychologist’s argument is structured as follows:
Premise: However much society may have changed over
the centuries, human psychology is still driven
primarily by personal interaction.
Subconclusion/ Thus, the important social function of positively
Premise: reinforcing those behaviors [of expressing gratitude]
that have beneficial consequences for others can be
served only if the benefactor knows the source of
the gratitude.
Main conclusion: The obligation to express gratitude cannot be
fulfilled anonymously.
The statement referenced in the question stem is the main conclusion of
the argument, and as the answer choice correctly describes, the conclusion
that the argument is designed to support.
The argument, when considered in terms of order, is “out of order”:
First sentence = main conclusion
Second sentence = basic premise
Third sentence = subconclusion
The last sentence is a subconclusion, and in a Method—AP answer choice
the author can describe a subconclusion in a variety of ways:
subsidiary conclusion
secondary conclusion
intermediate conclusion
supporting conclusion
Note that as predicted, the main conclusion is not modified by a
conclusion indicator but the subconclusion is.
Answer choice (A): The statement in question is not an example of an idea
raised in a premise.
Answer choice (B): The answer choice describes a premise that is used to
defend the argument from attack. This would better describe the second
sentence of the argument.
Answer choice (C): This answer choice describes a premise supporting a
subconclusion. Again, this would better describe the second sentence of
the argument.
Answer choice (D): This answer choice better describes the last sentence.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer.
By consistently breaking down the structure of the argument before
reading the answer choices, these problems become very easy to solve.
Method—Argument Part. The correct answer choice is (E)
The psychologist’s argument is structured as follows:
Premise: However much society may have changed over
the centuries, human psychology is still driven
primarily by personal interaction.
Subconclusion/ Thus, the important social function of positively
Premise: reinforcing those behaviors [of expressing gratitude]
that have beneficial consequences for others can be
served only if the benefactor knows the source of
the gratitude.
Main conclusion: The obligation to express gratitude cannot be
fulfilled anonymously.
The statement referenced in the question stem is the main conclusion of
the argument, and as the answer choice correctly describes, the conclusion
that the argument is designed to support.
The argument, when considered in terms of order, is “out of order”:
First sentence = main conclusion
Second sentence = basic premise
Third sentence = subconclusion
The last sentence is a subconclusion, and in a Method—AP answer choice
the author can describe a subconclusion in a variety of ways:
subsidiary conclusion
secondary conclusion
intermediate conclusion
supporting conclusion
Note that as predicted, the main conclusion is not modified by a
conclusion indicator but the subconclusion is.
Answer choice (A): The statement in question is not an example of an idea
raised in a premise.
Answer choice (B): The answer choice describes a premise that is used to
defend the argument from attack. This would better describe the second
sentence of the argument.
Answer choice (C): This answer choice describes a premise supporting a
subconclusion. Again, this would better describe the second sentence of
the argument.
Answer choice (D): This answer choice better describes the last sentence.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer.
By consistently breaking down the structure of the argument before
reading the answer choices, these problems become very easy to solve.
