Conclusion

Question 1

HOW TO APPROACH EVERY CR PASSAGE

Answer 1

For each sentence;

1. Read words carefully & take note of modifiers, indicators, language.
2. Summarize the main gist
   “What is the simple story here?”
3. Determine scope. Ask:
   “What are they saying vs not saying?”
4. Opinion vs fact
   “Is this an Opinion or fact?”
5. Determine the purpose. Ask:
   “Why is the author telling me this?” (eg. to illustrate an example, to provide background context)
6. Make the inferencial connection with previous sentences: Ask:
   “How does this info connect to the previous sentence?” “What inference can I draw from combining the previous sentences with this?”
7. Determine the logical flow; Ask:
   “Does this support the previous sentence or does the previous sentence support this?”
8. Determine the main point/main conclusion and note the scope of what it actually says.
   “What is the main point/conclusion here & what is the scope of elements in this?”

For Each passage

9. Identify presence/absence or an argument
   “Is there a conclusion?”
10. If no conclusion , identify the heart of the passage
    `
    A set of facts → inference/must be true/find the conclusion
    Paradox → resolve the paradox
    `
11. If yes conclusion, Map the logical link in a flow chart: [Premise → assumption → logical gap → Conclusion]
    * Identify the premise that directly supports the conclusion & its scope
    * Determine the Core Assumption:
    `
    “What new elements are there”
    “How did the author make this jump from premise to conclusion”
    “What must I assume to me true for me to believe this conclusion”
    `
    * If the assumption is not so clear, use the Falsification condition. Ask:
    “Under What circumstances , given the [Facts] in the argument, will the [conclusion] not hold”
    * Identify the logical gap
    “Am i fully convinced by this argument i.e is the argument weak or strong?” “What extra evidence is missing here that i need to be fully convinced?”

For each question stem:

13. Carefully read and identify the question stem.
    “What is this question stem asking of me?”
14. After reading the question stem, take a moment to mentally recap details you just gathered and define what you are looking for
15. Rephrase the question into a yes/No format will enable you to eliminate and choose the right answer with precision.
16. Always read each of the five answer choices completely. Ask yourself…
    `
    “What is this option simply saying”
    “Does it answer …rephrased question..?”
    `
17. Eliminate any answer choice that doesn’t answer your question

Question 2

“Conclusion” questions are what type of family?

Answer 2

The “must be true/prove” family.

In which;
The stimuli proves the answer choice

The correct answer must be supported by and logically fit the facts in the passage

Question 3

When i see a question stem asking …

“which of these conclusions is best supported by the passage”

the correct answer must ….

Answer 3

1. be true , i.e. logically supported by facts in the passage (whether it brings in new information or not
2. may capture the main point or may be an inference
3. If i narrow down to 2 choices that are supported by what the passage says, i pick the option that captures main point best.
4. I Fact test this by asking- can i highlight a sentence in the passage that directly supports this without assumptions?

Question 4

Indicators of a “conclusion” question ….

Answer 4

Passage
* contains only a set of facts with no paradox/discrepancy

Question stem
* “which of the following conclusions is best supported by the information above?”
* “If the statement above is true… they most strongly support…”
* “Which of the following best express the main point”…
* “The author is arguing that….”
* “The information aboce supports which hypothesis?”

Question 5

Incorrect answer types in conclusion questions

Answer 5

1. answer choices not supported by the passage
2. answer choices that extend far beyond what the passage really says
3. answer choices related to the passage but not supported by it.
4. answer choice that says the opposite of what the passage says

Strategy
for 1 - notice key details
for 2 - notice the extent of what the option says
for 3 - notice the nature of what the passage says
for 4- notice the direction of the passage

Question 6

Final Checklist to Prevent Overthinking

Answer 6

• Question Type: Is this “Must Be True”?
• Premises Only: Am I adding assumptions?
• Math/Timeline: Have I translated words into numbers or vice versa?
• No New Info: Does the answer rely on external beliefs?
• Why Test: Can I highlight text proving this answer? or can i highlight statements in the passage that produce a direct inference that supports this answer?

Question 7

whenever you see an assumption question for the argument ….

A plan will reduce/increase an outcome

What should you take note of?

Answer 7

1. The increase/reduction of the outcome can be 100%
2. The Increase/reduction of the outcome can also be 1%
3. an answer choice saying “everyone complies” or suggesting a “100% reduction” is ❌
4. An answer choice saying “at least some reduction” or “≥1% change” is ✅

Question 8

When you see…

Something is difficult

think…

Answer 8

Difficult does not mean impossible.

Difficult does not exclude 100% compliance/acheivable.

Question 9

T/F?

Passage: Increasing A can cause B to reduce.

Answer : Reducing A can cause B to increase

Answer 9

False

Beware of Causeal Reversal

Any answer choice that reverses the relationship of a cause and effect claim (withouth the passage saying this) is ** wrong**

Question 10

T/F?

If you cannot find a statement in the passage that directly supports an answer choice, that answer choice is wrong

Answer 10

False

For “Most Strongly Supported- Must be true family type questions”, answers often require combining premises logically , not just matching a single sentence.

Always ensure you fully digest & understand each sentence, connect the next to the previous ones as you read further to make inferences that are not explicitly stated in the passage (mathematical or non maths inferences).