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Difficulty: EasyAnalyzing Argument Structure and Boldface Roles

Public health officials recently claimed that a new vaccination campaign led directly to a 20 percent decrease in seasonal influenza cases this winter. However, data from regional health clinics indicate that the reduction in flu cases occurred almost entirely in counties where strict sanitation protocols were introduced simultaneously. While vaccinations certainly provide individual protection against virus strains, the dramatic overall drop in transmission was primarily driven by improved hygiene practices rather than the vaccine rollout itself.

Which of the following best describes the roles played by the two boldfaced portions in the argument above?

  1. A
    The first is the main conclusion of the argument; the second is a finding presented to support that conclusion.
  2. B
    The first is a claim made by public health officials; the second is a counterexample intended to refute that claim.
  3. The first is evidence cited to challenge a rival claim; the second is the main conclusion that the argument advocates.Answer
  4. D
    The first is background information supporting the vaccination campaign; the second is a premise used to support a rival position.
  5. E
    The first is an unstated assumption required by the argument; the second is a secondary finding derived from clinic data.

Answer

The first boldfaced portion is evidence cited to challenge a rival claim, and the second is the main conclusion that the argument advocates.
The correct answer accurately reflects the structural flow: the first boldfaced sentence provides empirical evidence (regional clinic data) that challenges the initial claim made by public health officials, while the second boldfaced sentence asserts the main judgment/conclusion that the author seeks to establish.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main argument structure and transition signals.
The argument contrasts a claim by public health officials (vaccines caused flu drop) with clinic data introduced by the word 'However'.
Structural signals like 'However' indicate a shift from a cited position to opposing evidence or the author's counter-argument.
2
Analyze the function of the first boldfaced sentence.
It presents factual clinic data showing flu drops coincided with sanitation protocols, undermining the officials' vaccine-only explanation.
This serves as factual evidence used to challenge the rival position.
3
Analyze the function of the second boldfaced sentence.
It asserts the author's central claim: hygiene practices were the primary driver of the reduction.
This is the ultimate position advocated by the argument (the main conclusion).

Key Concept

Analyzing Argument Structure and Boldface Roles
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Analyzing Argument Structure and Boldface Roles

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