Evaluate the Argument Questions
Evaluate the argument questions ask you to choose an answer that would be useful in evaluating the argument. Approach these questions the same way as you would assumptive questions as there is an obvious gap in logic.
Evaluate the Argument Question Stems
The answer to which of the following questions would be most useful in evaluating the significance of the author’s claims?
Which of the following pieces of information would be most useful in assessing the logic of the argument presented above?
An example
Phone Company X currently only offers bundles of phone services for customers to purchase. Many consumer advocates argue that customers would pay less if they were allowed to pay for each service separately. The phone company states that bundles are cheaper because popular phone services are used to pay for less popular phone services.
Which of the following pieces of information would be most useful in assessing Phone Company X’s claim?
a)Whether the total number of phone services offered to consumers would decrease if Phone company X allows consumers to pay for phone services separately.
b)Whether Phone Company X will be able to stay in business.
c)Whether company X has the infrastructure to offer phone services separately.
d)Whether the majority of consumers would reduce the amount of services if they were given the opportunity to pay for phone services separately.
e) Whether consumers not offered to purchase separate services would switch phone companies.
The correct answer is D.(Highlight to reveal)
Let’s see why.
Premise: Phone Company X currently only offers bundles of phone services for customers to purchase.
Conclusion:The phone company states that bundles are cheaper because popular phone services are used to pay for less popular phone services.
In evaluate the argument questions we have to find the assumption. The phone companies seem to assume that customers want all the services in the bundle. However, if we find out that most consumers only want a few of those services then the argument falls apart. Thus, the only answer that pertains to testing that assumption is d)Whether the majority of consumers would reduce the amount of services if they were given the opportunity to pay for phone services separately.
Parallel the Reasoning/Evaluate the Argument Assignment
OG 11: 19, 24, 46, 58, 87, 90, 94, 100, 108
Verbal Review: 8, 30, 41, 42, 58, 59
(46)
(28)
(2)