Eliminating options

(ElimOpt)

Stimuli that reason by laying out a set of options, ruling some of those options out, then concluding we must choose the remaining option(s).

Avg. 0.45 per section
False dichotomy
7%
17%
45%
14%
16%

Avg. difficulty: 3.2

Key tactics

  • The argument reaches its conclusion by asserting (or assuming) that the conclusion is the only remaining option from a set of possibilities.
  • Arguments that reason by eliminating options appear in both valid and invalid forms on the test.
  • Questions that feature this argument form will very likely turn on your understanding of what makes it succeed or fail.

Answer choice tips

  • In a MSS or MBT question, for example, if the stimulus lays out 5 options and eliminates 3 of them, it's very likely the correct answer will say something like "either [one of the remaining options] or [the other] must be true."
  • In a Flaw or WSE question, it's likely that the author has forgotten a possible option, or has assumed the options stated are mutually exclusive. See the "False dichotomy" tag.

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Logical reasoning question types

Argument part Evaluate Fill in the blank Flaw or descriptive weakening Inference Main conclusion or main point Method of reasoning or descriptive Most strongly supported Must be false Must be true Necessary assumption Parallel flawed method of reasoning Parallel method of reasoning Point at issue: agree Point at issue: disagree Principle PSA - find or complete the application PSA - find the rule Resolve reconcile or explain Strengthen Sufficient assumption Weaken

Reading comprehension question types

Analogy (RC) Application Author’s attitude Author’s perspective Describe approach Describe organization Describe relationship Implied Logical continuation Main point Meaning in context (of word, phrase, or idea) Other’s perspective Principle or generalization Purpose in context (of word, phrase, or idea) Purpose of paragraph Purpose of passage Stated Structure WSE (RC)

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