Summarize Argument: Counter-Position
The author concludes that the thematic similarities between two semiautobiographical novels is more likely a result of coincidence than plagiarism. To support this idea, the author of the argument says that both novels’ authors have similar backgrounds and have had similar lives.
Identify Conclusion
The conclusion is that the thematic similarity of two novels is more likely coincidental, not a result of plagiarism: “It is more likely that the similarity of themes and situations in the two novels is merely coincidental.”
A
Novel X and Novel Y are both semiautobiographical novels, and the two novels contain many very similar themes and situations.
This is context that sets up the rest of the argument. The main conclusion is the explanation behind these similar themes and situations.
B
The fact that Novel X and Novel Y are both semiautobiographical novels and contain many very similar themes and situations might lead one to suspect plagiarism on the part of one of the authors.
This is also context. This is the opinion that the author of the argument is arguing against; the main conclusion is that the similarities are not from plagiarism.
C
The author of Novel X and the author of Novel Y are from very similar backgrounds and have led very similar lives.
This is a premise that provides support for the conclusion. This supports the author’s idea that the thematic similarities are coincidental; if two authors have similar backgrounds, it makes sense for their semiautobiographical novels to be similar.
D
It is less likely that one of the authors of Novel X or Novel Y is guilty of plagiarism than that the similarity of themes and situations in the two novels is merely coincidental.
This is the main conclusion. The rest of the stimulus is either context or support for this statement.
E
If the authors of Novel X and Novel Y are from very similar backgrounds and have led similar lives, suspicions that either of the authors plagiarized are very likely to be unwarranted.
The argument makes no claims about conditional situations, so a conditional statement cannot be the main conclusion. Further, the argument only makes a comparative claim (”more likely”), but answer E makes an absolute claim (”very likely.”)
Summary
Advertisers have learned that people are more likely to feel positively towards something if these things are connected by pictures to other things those people already feel positively towards.
Strongly Supported Conclusions
Therefore, advertisers are likely to design advertisements using pictures of things most people already like.
A
use little if any written prose in their advertisements
We don’t know if advertisers will use little prose. We only know that pictures help more than prose to develop a positive attitude about something.
B
try to encourage people to develop positive attitudes about products that can be better represented pictorially than in prose
We don’t know what types of products advertisers are likely to advertise. We only know something about the way in which advertisers are likely to advertise products generally.
C
place their advertisements on television rather than in magazines
We don’t know where advertisers are more likely to advertise. We only know that they are likely to advertise using pictures.
D
highlight the desirable features of the advertised product by contrasting them pictorially with undesirable features of a competing product
We don’t know what approach, if any, advertisers are likely to take towards competing products.
E
create advertisements containing pictures of things most members of the target audience like
Advertisements containing pictures that most members of the target audience like are likely to result in those people developing positive attitudes towards whatever is being advertised.