PTC.S3.Q08 - A metaphor is the application of a word

melanievazquez02

PrepTest C - Section 3 - Question 08

I am confused as to why the answer is A and not C.
In the conclusion:
"But this cannot be so, for unless some uses of words are literal, there can be no nonliteral uses of any words."
is the first part:
"for unless some uses of words are literal"
a part of the premise?

Admin Note: Edited title. For LR questions, please use the format: "PT#.S#.Q# - brief description of the question."

jbantony

The conclusion for this argument is the "But this cannot be so" the term "this" referring to the context above. So think of the conclusion is the denial or negation of the other people's opinion that all language is a metaphor. Answer choice C just describes the premise used to support the argument.

A good way of parsing out conclusion and premise is just by asking "why ?" so in this case when the author states " But this cannot be so" ask "why is that the case and where is this support" which will lead to to the "unless some uses of words are literal, there can be no nonliteral uses of any words." this is the reasoning claimed that supports the actual conclusion.

If you were to do so with the statement "unless some uses of words are literal, there can be no nonliteral uses of any words." you will find that there is no support offered to this statement hence not making it the conclusion.