Summarize Argument
Jazz consists largely of voicelike horns and hornlike voices. Why the claim about “voicelike horns”? Because jazz horn players mimic the sound of voices by throwing in spontaneous twists and turns, giving their horn playing a voicelike quality. And why the claim about “hornlike voices”? Because the best jazz singers use their own voices in a similar way to how horn players use their horns. As an example of this, take the singer Billie Holiday, who thought of her singing voice as a horn.
Identify Argument Part
The claim referenced in the question stem is the first sentence in the stimulus. It’s a sub-conclusion that’s supported by the example of Billie Holiday, and goes on to support the second assertion made in the main conclusion: jazz consists, in part, of hornlike voices.
A
It is the argument’s main conclusion and is supported by another statement, which is itself supported by a further statement.
It’s not the main conclusion. It lends support to one half of the main conclusion: namely, that jazz consists, in part, of hornlike voices. Because it lends support, it cannot be the main conclusion.
B
It is the argument’s only conclusion, and each of the other statements in the argument is used to support it.
It’s not the argument’s conclusion. It lends support to one half of the conclusion: namely, that jazz consists, in part, of hornlike voices. Because it lends support, it cannot be the argument’s conclusion.
C
It is a statement for which some evidence is provided and which in turn is used to provide support for the argument’s main conclusion.
Accurately describes the statement’s role as a sub-conclusion. The example of Billie Holiday provides some evidence for the claim, and the claim then goes on to help support the main conclusion.
D
It is a statement for which no evidence is provided but which itself is used to support the argument’s only conclusion.
It’s supported by some evidence. The example of Billie Holiday lends support to the idea that the best jazz singers use their voices similarly to how horn players use their instruments.
E
It is a statement used to support a conclusion that in turn is used to support the argument’s main conclusion.
It does not support a sub-conclusion. Instead, it directly supports the main conclusion.
Summarize Argument: Causal Explanation
Global warming is unlikely to cause more frequent and intense tropical storms. Early predictions suggested that global warming would increase the frequency and intensity of tropical storms by raising ocean temperatures conducive to such storms. However, this is unlikely because global warming will have other effects, such as changes in wind flow, that will counteract its impact on tropical storm development.
Identify Conclusion
The conclusion is the geographer’s opinion that early predictions about global warming’s impact on tropical storm development were wrong. The geographer concludes that global warming will probably not cause more frequent and intense tropical storms.
A
Tropical storms are especially likely to form over warm ocean surfaces.
This answer is incorrect because it summarizes the context of the stimulus. It explains why some predicted that global warming would lead to more frequent and intense tropical storms: tropical storms are more likely to form over warm oceans.
B
Contrary to early discussions, global warming is not the only factor affecting the frequency and intensity of tropical storms.
This misstates the conclusion. The correct conclusion is that global warming will probably not result in more frequent and intense storms. However, this answer claims that the conclusion is about global warming not being the only factor affecting storm frequency and intensity.
C
If global warming were reversed, tropical storms would be less frequent and less intense.
This isn’t an argument made in the stimulus. The geographer doesn’t consider what would be required to reverse global warming; she only disputes one prediction about the effects global warming may have. Since this claim isn’t made in the stimulus, it can’t be the main conclusion.
D
Instabilities in wind flow will negate the effect of global warming on the formation of tropical storms.
This addresses a premise, not the main conclusion. The geographer uses global warming's effect on wind flow to support her conclusion that global warming won't lead to more intense and frequent storms. Since this claim is supporting evidence, it can't be the main conclusion.
E
Global warming probably will not produce more frequent and intense tropical storms.
This accurately captures the main conclusion: the geographer believes that predictions about global warming’s effect on tropical storms were likely incorrect. The answer summarizes this by stating that global warming probably won't lead to more frequent and intense storms.