LR Question 18 Explanation
QUESTION TEXT: Columnist: It may soon be possible for an economy to…
QUESTION TYPE: Identify The Conclusion
CONCLUSION: Society wouldn’t accept having the government electronically record all transactions.
REASONING: People don’t trust governments with too much power. Eliminating paper money would give governments too much power.
ANALYSIS: ‘However’ often introduces an argument’s conclusion. Look for this word on RC passages as well, as it indicates the author’s opinion.
By the way, the IRS has announced it can access to all of your emails, Facebook messages, and other electronic activities. So, this world already exists, and then some. They don’t need a warrant to look at any of this data.
___________
- CORRECT. Society wouldn’t accept this because it would give the government too much power, and society doesn’t trust too much government power.
- The columnist never said whether society’s fears are reasonable.
- This is just a fact. It explains why the columnist is talking about the possibility of government recording of all transactions.
- Same as B. The columnist never gives his opinion on whether the government can be trusted.
- This isn’t even true. The columnist said that people wouldn’t willingly accept government transaction recording. But the government might force it on society anyway.
More Resources for Identify the Conclusion Questions
- Intro Course lesson: This intro course lesson covers Identify the Conclusion questions.
- Mastery Seminar lesson: This LR Mastery seminar lesson covers identify the conclusion questions.
The last sentence of the argument reads “People are rightly distrustful of governments with too much power.” I answered the question correctly, as I knew that this was not the main point of the argument, but is this statement not essentially saying the same thing as B) “It is reasonable for people to distrust a government with too much power.” ?
It is essentially saying the same thing as B. But….we’re not looking for something the argument said. We’re looking for the main point. That’s why B is wrong – it’ s not the conclusion.
I understand why it is not B, however, I was confused about whether it was A or D. I chose D because of this “rightly distrustful” line. I was wondering if you could expand on why D is wrong.
Am I missing something or is “rightly distrustful” his opinion…
Thanks so much for doing this by the way, this website has been a huge help! You really are a great guy for posting it. ( I can’t afford those expensive prep courses)
D is wrong because the last sentence is a premise supporting the conclusion. You always have to ask which sentence supports the other.
In this case: People would never accept such a system, BECAUSE they are rightly distrustful.
It is not: People are rightly distrustful BECAUSE they would never accept such a system
The second interpretation is what D is saying. That’s why D is wrong.
p.s. Glad you like the site! Spread the word on forums :)