Argument EvaluationDiff: Hardest
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: A columnist claims a specific book is very influential because, in a survey of 1,000 people, it was the second most popular choice for 'most influential book.'
Conclusion: George Orwell’s 1984 has had a significant impact on a large portion of the newspaper’s readership.
Reasoning: In a survey of one thousand readers regarding the single most influential book in their lives, 1984 was the second most common response after the Bible.
Analysis: To evaluate this argument, we need to investigate the statistical significance of being 'second.' If the Bible received 950 votes and 1984 received only 2, the claim of 'much influence' becomes much harder to support. We also need to know if the 1,000 readers surveyed are actually representative of the newspaper's entire audience or just a small, biased subset. Look for an answer choice that addresses the actual number of votes cast for the book or the methodology of the survey itself.
Conclusion: George Orwell’s 1984 has had a significant impact on a large portion of the newspaper’s readership.
Reasoning: In a survey of one thousand readers regarding the single most influential book in their lives, 1984 was the second most common response after the Bible.
Analysis: To evaluate this argument, we need to investigate the statistical significance of being 'second.' If the Bible received 950 votes and 1984 received only 2, the claim of 'much influence' becomes much harder to support. We also need to know if the 1,000 readers surveyed are actually representative of the newspaper's entire audience or just a small, biased subset. Look for an answer choice that addresses the actual number of votes cast for the book or the methodology of the survey itself.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage24.The answer to which one of the following questions would most help in evaluating the columnist's argument?
Correct Answer
B
Correct. Knowing how many people chose books other than 1984 lets us compute how many chose 1984. If very few chose it, the columnist’s “great number” claim is weak; if many did, it’s stronger.
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