Read the following short argument and match each boldfaced statement to its specific structural role within the overall argument:
Telemedicine services expanded rapidly during recent public health initiatives. Many healthcare analysts predicted that this expansion would permanently reduce hospital emergency room visits. However, recent hospital administration data indicates that emergency room visits have returned to pre-expansion levels. Consequently, the expansion of telemedicine has not reduced the overall demand for emergency hospital care.
Match each boldfaced statement on the left with its corresponding role on the right.
- First boldfaced statement: 'Many healthcare analysts predicted that this expansion would permanently reduce hospital emergency room visits.'An opposing prediction or position that the argument set out to challenge.
- Second boldfaced statement: 'Recent hospital administration data indicates that emergency room visits have returned to pre-expansion levels.'Factual evidence offered to counter the opposing prediction.
- Third boldfaced statement: 'The expansion of telemedicine has not reduced the overall demand for emergency hospital care.'The main conclusion drawn by the author.
Answer
The first boldfaced statement matches the opposing prediction that the argument challenges, the second boldfaced statement matches the factual evidence offered to counter that prediction, and the third boldfaced statement matches the main conclusion of the author.
The argument follows a classic rebuttal structure: it presents an outside prediction, introduces counter-evidence using the pivot 'However', and concludes with a main claim that contradicts the original prediction. Thus, the first statement is the opposed prediction, the second statement is the empirical premise/evidence, and the third statement is the main conclusion.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Analyzing Boldface Statement Roles and Argument Structure