LNAT Argument Component Identification 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The phrase 'this shows that' in an LNAT passage most likely introduces which argument component?
- A premise
- A conclusion (Correct answer)
- A counter-argument
- A definition
Correct answer: A conclusion
'This shows that' is a conclusion indicator, signaling that what follows is being inferred from what preceded it.
Question 2: Examine: 'Smoking causes cancer. Cancer is often fatal. Yet millions continue to smoke.' What is the function of the third sentence?
- It is the main conclusion of the argument.
- It introduces a puzzling fact that the argument may seek to explain or challenge. (Correct answer)
- It is a supporting premise for the first sentence.
- It is a definition of 'smoking.'
Correct answer: It introduces a puzzling fact that the argument may seek to explain or challenge.
The third sentence introduces a tension or puzzle — millions smoke despite the known risks — which the argument may then try to explain, rather than being a premise or conclusion itself.
Question 3: Which of the following is the best definition of a 'counter-argument' within an LNAT passage?
- A statement that supports the author's main conclusion
- An objection or opposing claim that the author addresses, either by conceding or rebutting it (Correct answer)
- An example used to illustrate a premise
- The final statement of the passage
Correct answer: An objection or opposing claim that the author addresses, either by conceding or rebutting it
A counter-argument is an opposing claim or objection the author engages with — the author may concede it, refute it, or qualify their own position in response.
Question 4: In the argument 'Every law restricts freedom. Therefore, every law is oppressive,' what hidden assumption is the argument relying on?
- Freedom is sometimes worth restricting.
- Any restriction on freedom is automatically oppressive. (Correct answer)
- Laws are necessary for society to function.
- Oppression is worse than anarchy.
Correct answer: Any restriction on freedom is automatically oppressive.
The argument assumes that any restriction on freedom constitutes oppression — without this assumption the conclusion does not follow from the premise.
Question 5: An argument contains: Sentence A (general principle), Sentence B (specific case), Sentence C (conclusion about that case). This structure is best described as:
- Inductive generalization
- Deductive application of a principle to a case (Correct answer)
- Analogy
- Circular reasoning
Correct answer: Deductive application of a principle to a case
Applying a general principle to a specific case to derive a conclusion about that case is the classic structure of deductive reasoning.
Question 6: Which statement about 'background information' in an LNAT argument is accurate?
- Background information always functions as a premise.
- Background information provides context but may not directly support the conclusion. (Correct answer)
- Background information is the same as the main conclusion.
- Background information must be disputed for the argument to work.
Correct answer: Background information provides context but may not directly support the conclusion.
Background information sets the scene or provides context for the argument but does not necessarily serve as logical support for the conclusion — it is distinct from a premise.
Question 7: Passage: 'Raising the minimum wage will reduce poverty. Poverty reduction lowers crime. We should therefore raise the minimum wage.' A critic argues the first premise is false. If true, what happens to the argument?
- The argument's conclusion is automatically false.
- The argument loses one of its supporting premises, undermining but not necessarily disproving the conclusion. (Correct answer)
- The intermediate conclusion is strengthened.
- The counter-argument is validated as the main conclusion.
Correct answer: The argument loses one of its supporting premises, undermining but not necessarily disproving the conclusion.
If a premise is shown to be false, the argument is weakened because it loses that supporting reason, but the conclusion could still be true on other grounds.
LNAT Argument Component Identification 4
The phrase 'this shows that' in an LNAT passage most likely introduces which argument component?