Q2 - Policy Analyst: Those concerned with safeguarding publi

[Laura Damone]

Stimulus Breakdown:
Conclusion: What would contribute the most to safeguarding public health is a reduction in the total number of miles traveled on our roads. Premise: Traveling by car itself is a major risk factor. Opposing point/Background info: Those who are trying to safeguard public health by reducing the risk of traffic fatalities usually focus on automotive safety measures such as seat belt use, reducing distracted driving, and improving safety technology.

Answer Anticipation:
A common form in ID the Conclusion questions is Opposing point > Pivot Word > Main Conclusion > Premises. This one is no exception. Look for an answer that paraphrases the second sentence of this argument.

Correct answer:
D

Answer choice analysis:
(A) Nope. This is an assumption on which the argument rests, not the main conclusion of the argument.

(B) This one is tempting because it is a conclusion one might reasonably draw from reading the argument: if reducing miles traveled would safeguard public health more than any automotive safety measure, we probably should focus on that. But this answer is wrong because we're not trying to draw a conclusion, we're trying to identify the conclusion that already exists. Don't get caught in this common trap!

(C) No. This seems to be implied by the argument, but it certainly isn't what the argument sets out to prove.

(D) Bingo. A paraphrase of the second sentence of the argument. Now, some might be concerned about the degree of this answer. The word "any" might seem to extreme. But look at the wording of the argument. It clearly states that reducing miles driven would contribute the most to safeguarding public health. That means it would contribute more than any automotive safety measure.

(E) This is the argument's premise.

Takeaway/Pattern:
The correct answer for an ID the Conclusion question will be a paraphrase of the conclusion stated, not something that seems assumed or implied (A and C) or something one my reasonably infer (B). Don't be scared of extreme language in an answer choice. As long as it matches the degree of the stimulus, there's no problem.

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