strengthen questions

[saranash1]

Please tell me if this logic is accurate:


Strengthen question answers don't necessarily have to specifically address what was explicitly stated in the conclusion.
Instead, the answer can strengthen a premise, which also supports the conclusion.

This also applies in weaken questions.

Doesn't necessarily have to weaken whats explicitly stated in the conclusion. But instead, can weaken a premise, which also strengthens the conclusion.

[Jon Denning]

Hey Sara - that logic works, but it's applicability is obviously going to be contextual. Some premises are given as fact and thus can't really be strengthened or weakened, in which case you'll be supporting or attacking the connections the author makes/the conclusion the author draws. But others are more uncertain and thus can be affected more directly.

[David Boyle]

Please tell me if this logic is accurate:


Strengthen question answers don't necessarily have to specifically address what was explicitly stated in the conclusion.
Instead, the answer can strengthen a premise, which also supports the conclusion.

This also applies in weaken questions.

Doesn't necessarily have to weaken whats explicitly stated in the conclusion. But instead, can weaken a premise, which also strengthens the conclusion.

Hello,

Yes, this is possible, though the conclusion is often focused on. --As you were saying, a premise can be strengthened; e.g., if a premise is, "There was testing that supports people liking jelly beans as their favorite food", a strengthener could be, "The testing comprised 20 well-funded, well-run tests taken recently and with a pool of over 1000 people in each test." That would seem to strengthen the premise.

Direct weakening of premises may be rarer, though: that would make it too easy for you. E.g., premise is "Everybody loves cotton candy", and an answer choice is, "Uh, NOBODY loves cotton candy." So, focus will often be on the conclusion.

David