GED Reasoning Through Language Arts Extended Response Evaluating an Argument Claim Evidence Reasoning Assumptions

What Is This?

Extended Response — Evaluating an Argument: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning, Assumptions is the ability to analyze and assess the validity of an argument presented in a text, speech, or other form of communication. This involves identifying the claim, evaluating the evidence provided, assessing the reasoning used, and recognizing any underlying assumptions.

This topic appears in exams to test your ability to think critically, make informed judgments, and communicate your analysis effectively. It typically generates questions that require you to read a passage, identify the main argument, and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses.

Why It Matters

Exams that test this topic include: - IELTS (International English Language Testing System) - TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) - GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) - GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) - Advanced Placement (AP) exams

This topic appears frequently, carrying 20-30% of the total marks. It tests your ability to evaluate arguments, identify biases, and recognize logical fallacies.

Core Concepts

To tackle this topic, you must own the following foundational ideas:

• Claim: The main argument or statement being made.
• Evidence: The facts, data, or examples used to support the claim.
• Reasoning: The logical process used to connect the evidence to the claim.
• Assumptions: The underlying beliefs or premises that may not be explicitly stated.

You must also be able to identify signal words that indicate the type of reasoning used, such as "however," "in addition," or "therefore."

Prerequisites

Before tackling this topic, you must already understand:

• Basic grammar and sentence structure
• Vocabulary related to argumentation and critical thinking
• The concept of bias and logical fallacies

If you are missing these prerequisites, you may struggle to identify the claim, evidence, and reasoning, leading to incorrect evaluations.

The Rule-Book (How It Works)

The primary rule is:

• Evaluate the evidence: Assess the relevance, accuracy, and sufficiency of the evidence provided to support the claim.
• Assess the reasoning: Identify the logical process used to connect the evidence to the claim, and evaluate its soundness.
• Recognize assumptions: Identify any underlying beliefs or premises that may not be explicitly stated, and evaluate their impact on the argument.

Sub-rules and exceptions include:

• Red herring: A distraction from the main argument, often introduced to mislead the reader.
• Straw man: A misrepresentation of the opposing argument, often to make it easier to attack.
• Appeal to authority: An argument that relies on the opinion or expertise of someone else, rather than evidence.

A simple visual pattern to remember is the "C-E-R-A" acronym:

C - Claim E - Evidence R - Reasoning A - Assumptions

Exam / Job / Audit Weighting

Frequency: 30-40% Difficulty Rating: Intermediate Question Type or Real-World Task Type: Extended Response, Critical Thinking, and Analysis

Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Must-Know Rules, Formulas, Standards, or Principles

The three most important rules for this topic are:

1. Evaluate the evidence: Assess the relevance, accuracy, and sufficiency of the evidence provided to support the claim.
2. Assess the reasoning: Identify the logical process used to connect the evidence to the claim, and evaluate its soundness.
3. Recognize assumptions: Identify any underlying beliefs or premises that may not be explicitly stated, and evaluate their impact on the argument.

Worked Examples (Step-by-Step)

Example 1: Easy

Question: Evaluate the argument presented in the following passage:

"The new policy will increase revenue. The company has increased revenue in the past when it has implemented similar policies."

Step-by-Step Reasoning:

1. Identify the claim: The new policy will increase revenue.
2. Evaluate the evidence: The company has increased revenue in the past when it has implemented similar policies.
3. Assess the reasoning: The reasoning is based on past experience, which may not be relevant to the current situation.
4. Recognize assumptions: The assumption is that the current policy will have the same effect as the past policies.

Answer: The argument is weak because it relies on past experience, which may not be relevant to the current situation.

Example 2: Medium

Question: Evaluate the argument presented in the following passage:

"The new policy will reduce crime. The city has implemented similar policies in the past, and crime rates have decreased."

Step-by-Step Reasoning:

1. Identify the claim: The new policy will reduce crime.
2. Evaluate the evidence: The city has implemented similar policies in the past, and crime rates have decreased.
3. Assess the reasoning: The reasoning is based on past experience, which may not be relevant to the current situation.
4. Recognize assumptions: The assumption is that the current policy will have the same effect as the past policies.

Answer: The argument is weak because it relies on past experience, which may not be relevant to the current situation.

Example 3: Hard

Question: Evaluate the argument presented in the following passage:

"The new policy will increase revenue. The company has a strong brand, and customers are loyal. The company has a history of innovation, and this policy is a continuation of that trend."

Step-by-Step Reasoning:

1. Identify the claim: The new policy will increase revenue.
2. Evaluate the evidence: The company has a strong brand, and customers are loyal. The company has a history of innovation, and this policy is a continuation of that trend.
3. Assess the reasoning: The reasoning is based on the company's brand and history of innovation, which may not be directly related to the policy's impact on revenue.
4. Recognize assumptions: The assumption is that the policy will increase revenue because of the company's brand and history of innovation.

Answer: The argument is weak because it relies on indirect evidence and assumptions, rather than direct evidence related to the policy's impact on revenue.

Common Exam Traps & Mistakes

Trap 1: Failing to identify the claim

Wrong Answer: The passage presents a series of facts, but there is no clear claim.
Why it looks right: The passage may present a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but there is no clear argument being made.
Correct Approach: Identify the main argument or statement being made, and evaluate the evidence presented to support it.

Trap 2: Failing to evaluate the evidence

Wrong Answer: The passage presents a series of facts, and the argument seems strong because of the evidence.
Why it looks right: The passage may present a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the evidence may not be sufficient to support the claim.
Correct Approach: Evaluate the relevance, accuracy, and sufficiency of the evidence presented to support the claim.

Trap 3: Failing to assess the reasoning

Wrong Answer: The passage presents a series of facts, and the argument seems strong because of the reasoning.
Why it looks right: The passage may present a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the reasoning may not be sound.
Correct Approach: Identify the logical process used to connect the evidence to the claim, and evaluate its soundness.

Trap 4: Failing to recognize assumptions

Wrong Answer: The passage presents a series of facts, and the argument seems strong because of the assumptions.
Why it looks right: The passage may present a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the assumptions may not be explicitly stated.
Correct Approach: Identify any underlying beliefs or premises that may not be explicitly stated, and evaluate their impact on the argument.

Trap 5: Failing to consider alternative perspectives

Wrong Answer: The passage presents a series of facts, and the argument seems strong because of the evidence.
Why it looks right: The passage may present a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the argument may not consider alternative perspectives.
Correct Approach: Consider alternative perspectives and evaluate the strength of the argument in light of these perspectives.

Trap 6: Failing to evaluate the language and tone

Wrong Answer: The passage presents a series of facts, and the argument seems strong because of the language and tone.
Why it looks right: The passage may present a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the language and tone may be misleading or biased.
Correct Approach: Evaluate the language and tone used in the passage, and consider how they may impact the argument.

Shortcut Strategies & Exam Hacks

Strategy 1: Use the C-E-R-A acronym

Why it works: The C-E-R-A acronym helps you to identify the claim, evaluate the evidence, assess the reasoning, and recognize assumptions.
How to use it: Write the C-E-R-A acronym on a piece of paper, and use it as a guide to evaluate the argument.

Strategy 2: Look for signal words

Why it works: Signal words such as "however," "in addition," or "therefore" can indicate the type of reasoning used.
How to use it: Look for signal words in the passage, and use them to identify the type of reasoning used.

Strategy 3: Evaluate the evidence first

Why it works: Evaluating the evidence first can help you to identify any biases or flaws in the argument.
How to use it: Evaluate the evidence presented in the passage, and use it as a guide to evaluate the argument.

Question-Type Taxonomy

Format 1: Extended Response

Example: Evaluate the argument presented in the following passage: "The new policy will increase revenue. The company has increased revenue in the past when it has implemented similar policies." Examiner's note: This question requires you to evaluate the argument presented in the passage, and provide a clear and concise response.

Format 2: Critical Thinking

Example: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the argument presented in the following passage: "The new policy will reduce crime. The city has implemented similar policies in the past, and crime rates have decreased." Examiner's note: This question requires you to evaluate the argument presented in the passage, and identify its strengths and weaknesses.

Format 3: Analysis

Example: Analyze the argument presented in the following passage: "The new policy will increase revenue. The company has a strong brand, and customers are loyal. The company has a history of innovation, and this policy is a continuation of that trend." Examiner's note: This question requires you to evaluate the argument presented in the passage, and provide a clear and concise analysis.

Format 4: Evaluation

Example: Evaluate the effectiveness of the argument presented in the following passage: "The new policy will reduce crime. The city has implemented similar policies in the past, and crime rates have decreased." Examiner's note: This question requires you to evaluate the effectiveness of the argument presented in the passage.

Practice Set (MCQs)

Question 1

Question: Evaluate the argument presented in the following passage: "The new policy will increase revenue. The company has increased revenue in the past when it has implemented similar policies." Options: A) The argument is strong because of the evidence presented. B) The argument is weak because of the reasoning used. C) The argument is weak because of the assumptions made. D) The argument is strong because of the language and tone used.
Correct Answer: B) The argument is weak because of the reasoning used.
Explanation: The argument is weak because it relies on past experience, which may not be relevant to the current situation.
Why the Distractors Are Tempting: A) The passage presents a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the evidence may not be sufficient to support the claim. C) The passage presents a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the assumptions may not be explicitly stated. D) The passage presents a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the language and tone may be misleading or biased.

Question 2

Question: Evaluate the argument presented in the following passage: "The new policy will reduce crime. The city has implemented similar policies in the past, and crime rates have decreased." Options: A) The argument is strong because of the evidence presented. B) The argument is weak because of the reasoning used. C) The argument is weak because of the assumptions made. D) The argument is strong because of the language and tone used.
Correct Answer: B) The argument is weak because of the reasoning used.
Explanation: The argument is weak because it relies on past experience, which may not be relevant to the current situation.
Why the Distractors Are Tempting: A) The passage presents a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the evidence may not be sufficient to support the claim. C) The passage presents a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the assumptions may not be explicitly stated. D) The passage presents a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the language and tone may be misleading or biased.

Question 3

Question: Evaluate the argument presented in the following passage: "The new policy will increase revenue. The company has a strong brand, and customers are loyal. The company has a history of innovation, and this policy is a continuation of that trend." Options: A) The argument is strong because of the evidence presented. B) The argument is weak because of the reasoning used. C) The argument is weak because of the assumptions made. D) The argument is strong because of the language and tone used.
Correct Answer: C) The argument is weak because of the assumptions made.
Explanation: The argument is weak because it relies on indirect evidence and assumptions, rather than direct evidence related to the policy's impact on revenue.
Why the Distractors Are Tempting: A) The passage presents a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the evidence may not be sufficient to support the claim. B) The passage presents a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the reasoning may not be sound. D) The passage presents a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the language and tone may be misleading or biased.

Question 4

Question: Evaluate the argument presented in the following passage: "The new policy will reduce crime. The city has implemented similar policies in the past, and crime rates have decreased." Options: A) The argument is strong because of the evidence presented. B) The argument is weak because of the reasoning used. C) The argument is weak because of the assumptions made. D) The argument is strong because of the language and tone used.
Correct Answer: B) The argument is weak because of the reasoning used.
Explanation: The argument is weak because it relies on past experience, which may not be relevant to the current situation.
Why the Distractors Are Tempting: A) The passage presents a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the evidence may not be sufficient to support the claim. C) The passage presents a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the assumptions may not be explicitly stated. D) The passage presents a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the language and tone may be misleading or biased.

Question 5

Question: Evaluate the argument presented in the following passage: "The new policy will increase revenue. The company has a strong brand, and customers are loyal. The company has a history of innovation, and this policy is a continuation of that trend." Options: A) The argument is strong because of the evidence presented. B) The argument is weak because of the reasoning used. C) The argument is weak because of the assumptions made. D) The argument is strong because of the language and tone used.
Correct Answer: C) The argument is weak because of the assumptions made.
Explanation: The argument is weak because it relies on indirect evidence and assumptions, rather than direct evidence related to the policy's impact on revenue.
Why the Distractors Are Tempting: A) The passage presents a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the evidence may not be sufficient to support the claim. B) The passage presents a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the reasoning may not be sound. D) The passage presents a series of facts that seem relevant to the topic, but the language and tone may be misleading or biased.

30-Second Cheat Sheet

• Claim: The main argument or statement being made.
• Evidence: The facts, data, or examples used to support the claim.
• Reasoning: The logical process used to connect the evidence to the claim.
• Assumptions: The underlying beliefs or premises that may not be explicitly stated.
• Signal words: Words that indicate the type of reasoning used, such as "however," "in addition," or "therefore."
• C-E-R-A: A mnemonic device to help you remember the key components of an argument.
• Evaluate the evidence first: A strategy to help you identify any biases or flaws in the argument.

Learning Path

1. Beginner foundation: Understand the basics of argumentation and critical thinking.
2. Core rules: Learn the key components of an argument, including the claim, evidence, reasoning, and assumptions.
3. Practice: Practice evaluating arguments and identifying biases and flaws.
4. Timed drills: Practice evaluating arguments under timed conditions.
5. Mock tests: Practice taking mock tests to simulate the actual exam experience.

Related Topics

• Critical thinking: The ability to think clearly and make informed decisions.
• Argumentation: The process of presenting a claim and supporting it with evidence.
• Logic: The study of reasoning and argumentation.