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Main conclusion or main point

(MC)

Stems that ask us to articulate the main conclusion of the author's argument.

Avg. 1.25 per section

“Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion drawn in the argument?”

18%
34%
38%
7%
3%

Avg. difficulty: 2.4

Correct answer criteria

  • Restatement or paraphrase of the main conclusion of the argument.

Key tactics

  • Read the stimulus carefully and identify the main conclusion of the argument
  • Usually you can tell what the main conclusion is by looking for an expression of opinion that is supported by other statements
  • Often the conclusion will be phrased as a rejection of something else "That belief is false." If so, make sure to translate that statement into a full idea - what does the author mean by "that belief is false"?
  • If stuck between two answers, ask which one supports the other? The one that is supported is more likely to be the correct answer

Answer choice tips

  • Correct answer will be a restatement of the main conclusion, although it may not be worded in exactly the same way
  • Wrong answers will often take the conclusion too far, describe a premise or assumption, or describe an inference we can make from the stimulus

Looking for more?

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Logical reasoning question types

Alternate explanation Analogy (LR) Argument part Bad authority Causal chain Causal mechanism Causal reasoning Circular reasoning Conditional reasoning Confusing sufficiency and necessity Correlation Diagram? Directionally wrong Eliminating options Equivocation Evaluate Except (LR) Failed alternate explanation False dichotomy Fighting the hypothetical Fill in the blank Flaw or descriptive weakening Illusory inconsistency Inference Internal contradiction Irrelevant corroboration Kick it up Lack of support v. false conclusion Link assumption Main conclusion or main point Math Mental state v. reality Method of reasoning or descriptive Miscellaneous (LR) Misdirected response Most strongly supported Must be false Must be true Necessary assumption Parallel flawed method of reasoning Parallel method of reasoning Part v. whole Phenomenon-hypothesis (LR) Plausibility Point at issue: agree Point at issue: disagree Principle PSA - find or complete the application PSA - find the rule Quantifier Relative v. absolute Resolve reconcile or explain Rule-application Sampling Source attack Strengthen Sufficient assumption Time Unwarranted assumption Value judgment Weaken Weighing factors

Reading comprehension question types

Analogy (RC) Application Art Author’s attitude Author’s perspective Comparative Critique or debate Describe approach Describe organization Describe relationship Except (RC) Humanities Implied Law Logical continuation Main point Meaning in context (of word, phrase, or idea) Miscellaneous (RC) Other’s perspective Phenomenon-hypothesis (RC) Principle or generalization Problem-analysis Purpose in context (of word, phrase, or idea) Purpose of paragraph Purpose of passage Science Single position Spotlight Stated Structure WSE (RC)

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