Role in ArgumentDiff: Medium

Logic Breakdown

Passage Summary: The author argues that finding out an animal uses tools isn't a big deal because, under a broad definition, every animal does it.

Conclusion: The announcements by biologists that certain animals can use tools are not surprising.

Reasoning: All animals use tools if a tool is defined as any external physical object used to achieve a purpose, such as birds building nests or squirrels using buildings.

Analysis: The statement in question serves as the main conclusion of the passage. The author identifies a common scientific announcement and immediately dismisses its significance, spending the rest of the text providing a definition and examples to support that dismissal. Focus strictly on the structure here: the claim is the thesis, and the subsequent sentences provide the supporting evidence.

Passage Stimulus

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10.

Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the argument by the claim that the biologists' announcements that a certain animal has been found capable of using tools are unsurprising?

Correct Answer
B
The statement that the announcements are “unsurprising” is the argument’s main conclusion, supported by the broad definition of “tool” and the examples showing widespread tool use.
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