Studies show that families in which both the husband and the wife are ...
Argument Analysis
Pre-Thinking
Conclusion Clarification
Main Conclusion of the argument: “real reason such families (families where both husband & wife work) have only one child is the age of the parents that does not biologically allow them to have more than one child”. Therefore, the main conclusion provides an explanation for an observation that families in which husband and the wife are working normally tend to be single-child families.
Pre-Thinking Approach
The question requires us to identify the role played by the two bold face portions in the argument. To do so, we would examine the argument structure and the relationship of the bolded portions with respect to the main conclusion of the argument.
BF1: As indicated in the passage analysis, BF1 forms a part of a statement that presents an observation. In this observation, the highlighted portion/BF1 provides a commonly believed reason for the stated correlation that families in which both the husband and the wife are working, normally tend to be single-child families. Now, we see that the main conclusion of the argument presents a different reason, which is not in line with BF1, for the observed correlation. Therefore BF1 is something that:
- Is a possible cause of an observation that is
- Opposed by the main conclusion
BF2: As discussed in the passage analysis, BF2 starts with “since”, a premise marker, and supports the main conclusion. Therefore, BF2:
- Is a fact that
- Supports the main conclusion
With the above understanding in mind, let's take a look at the option statements.
Answer Choices
A
The first is an intermediate conclusion that supports the main conclusion of the argument; the second is used as a support for the position the argument seeks to establish.
Incorrect - 1st part wrong
As seen in the pre-thinking, BF1 is not a conclusion that supports the main conclusion of the argument. BF2 supports the main conclusion, i.e. the position the argument seeks to establish.
B
The first is evidence for a position that the author does not agree with; the second is the main position taken by the argument.
Incorrect - Both parts wrong
BF1 isn’t evidence/fact; it’s a commonly believed reason. It does not support any position.BF2 supports the main conclusion, it is not the main position itself.
C
The first is an explanation offered for an observation; the second is an observation that is used to support the position taken by the argument.
Correct
As discussed in the pre-thinking analysis, BF1 offers an explanation for an observed correlation. BF2 can be called an observation and it does support the main conclusion, i.e. the main position taken by the argument.
D
The first is an explanation offered for an observation; the second is that observation.
Incorrect - 2nd part wrong
The description of BF1 is correct. BF1 is an explanation of an observation. However, BF2 is a different observation; it is not the observation that is explained by BF1.
E
The first is a conclusion that supports the main conclusion of the argument; the second is a belief that too supports the main conclusion of the argument
Incorrect - Both parts wrong
As discussed earlier, BF1 does not support the main conclusion. BF2 is a fact, not a belief. It supports the main conclusion.