LNAT Argument Component Identification 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In LNAT reading, distinguishing between an author's view and a reported view is important. Which phrase most clearly signals a REPORTED (not the author's own) view?
- It is evident that
- Proponents claim that (Correct answer)
- This demonstrates that
- We can conclude that
Correct answer: Proponents claim that
'Proponents claim that' signals the author is reporting someone else's view, while the other options signal the author's own inferences or conclusions.
Question 2: Examine: 'Although access to higher education has widened, graduates still face significant unemployment, suggesting that degree programs do not adequately prepare students for the job market.' What argument structure is present?
- Pure deduction with two premises and one conclusion
- Concession followed by a counter-point leading to a conclusion (Correct answer)
- Definition followed by application
- Analogy between education and employment
Correct answer: Concession followed by a counter-point leading to a conclusion
The author concedes that access has widened ('although'), then counter-points with unemployment data, leading to the conclusion that programs are inadequate.
Question 3: Which of the following sentences functions as a PREMISE in this mini-argument? 'Freedom of speech is fundamental to democracy. Democracy produces better governance. Hence, free speech contributes to better governance.'
- Hence, free speech contributes to better governance.
- Freedom of speech is fundamental to democracy.
- Both the first and second sentences are premises. (Correct answer)
- Only the second sentence is a premise.
Correct answer: Both the first and second sentences are premises.
Both the first and second sentences are premises that together support the conclusion introduced by 'hence.'
Question 4: An LNAT question asks you to identify the 'main conclusion' of a long passage. What is the best strategy?
- Select the first sentence, as conclusions are usually introduced at the start.
- Select the sentence that all other key sentences appear to be building toward. (Correct answer)
- Select the longest sentence in the passage.
- Select the sentence that contains the most facts.
Correct answer: Select the sentence that all other key sentences appear to be building toward.
The main conclusion is the claim that the rest of the argument's reasoning is designed to establish — you identify it by seeing which sentence the others point toward.
Question 5: A passage gives three distinct reasons for the same conclusion. This is best described as:
- A chain argument, where each reason leads to the next
- A convergent argument, where multiple independent reasons support one conclusion (Correct answer)
- A circular argument, where the conclusion supports the premises
- A divergent argument, where one premise leads to multiple conclusions
Correct answer: A convergent argument, where multiple independent reasons support one conclusion
When multiple independent reasons each separately support the same conclusion, the structure is convergent — removing one reason does not destroy the others.
Question 6: Consider: 'Students who sleep less than six hours perform worse academically. Therefore, schools should start later.' What is the key unstated assumption?
- Academic performance does not matter.
- Later start times would result in students sleeping more. (Correct answer)
- All students currently sleep less than six hours.
- Academic performance is the only reason to adjust school hours.
Correct answer: Later start times would result in students sleeping more.
The argument assumes that later start times would lead to more sleep — without this link, the evidence about sleep and performance does not justify the policy conclusion.
Question 7: Which of the following best captures the difference between a 'qualification' and a 'concession' in argument component analysis?
- A qualification limits the scope of the author's own claim; a concession acknowledges a point in favor of the opposing side. (Correct answer)
- A qualification is a premise; a concession is a conclusion.
- A qualification strengthens the argument; a concession destroys it.
- There is no meaningful difference between the two.
Correct answer: A qualification limits the scope of the author's own claim; a concession acknowledges a point in favor of the opposing side.
A qualification restricts the author's own claim (e.g., 'in most cases'), while a concession grants a point to the opposing view before the author reasserts their position.
LNAT Argument Component Identification 5
In LNAT reading, distinguishing between an author's view and a reported view is important.
Which phrase most clearly signals a REPORTED (not the author's own) view?