A
It is offered as an objection to the main conclusion of the argument.
B
It expresses the main conclusion of the argument.
C
It rules out an alternative explanation of the data collected in the study.
D
It provides background information on the purpose of the study.
E
It introduces an alternative explanation of the phenomenon described in the main conclusion.
Annette: To persuade the town council to adopt your development plan, you should take them on a trip to visit other towns that have successfully implemented plans like yours.
Sefu: But I have a vested interest in their votes. If council members were to accept a trip from me, it would give the appearance of undue influence.
Speaker 1 Summary
Annette recommends that Sefu take the town council on a trip to other towns that have successfully implemented a development plan similar to the one Sefu wants to implement
Speaker 2 Summary
Sefu points out that taking the town council on a trip in the manner Annette recommends would give the appearance of undue influence. Sefu’s implicit conclusion is that Annette’s recommendation is a bad idea.
Objective
We’re looking for a point of disagreement. The speakers disagree about whether Sefu should take the town council on a trip to other towns.
A
the council should adopt Sefu’s development plan
Not a point of disagreement. Annette recommends that Sefu take the town council on a trip, which arguably suggests Annette agrees that the council should adopt Sefu’s plan. Even if we don’t know that Annette supports Sefu’s plan, we would not know Annette’s opinion.
B
Sefu should take the council on a trip to visit other towns
This is a point of disagreement. Annette recommends Sefu take the council on a trip to other towns. Sefu’s implicit conclusion is that this is not a good idea.
C
Sefu has a vested interest in the council’s votes
Annette doesn’t express an opinion. She doesn’t refer to any interest Sefu has in the council’s votes or say anything suggesting an opinion about that issue.
D
other towns have successfully implemented similar development plans
Not a point of disagreement. Sefu doesn’t say anything suggesting a belief about other towns’ development plans. Even if you think Sefu has an opinion, it would agree with Annette’s.
E
the appearance of undue influence should be avoided
Annette doesn’t express an opinion. She doesn’t say anything suggesting an opinion about undue influence and whether it should be avoided.