Failed alternate explanation

(FAltExp)

Weaken Qs: Answers that try to introduce an alternate explanation, but fall short, or try to explain a different phenomenon.

Strengthen Qs: Answers that try to eliminate an alternate explanation, but fall short, or try to eliminate an explanation for a different phenomenon.

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Key tactics

  • One of the most common reasons supposed alternate explanations fail is by targeting the wrong phenomenon. For example, if the conclusion is that a fatty diet causes heart disease, a wrong answer might read "Japanese people, who eat disproportionately fatty diets, are more likely to recover from heart disease than people from other countries."
  • The above answer choice starts out as though it will suggest something other than fat must be responsible for heart disease, but veers into irrelevance when it discusses recovery rates rather than disease rates.

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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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