Logical Reasoning

PT139 · S4 · Q24 Parents who consistently laud

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Parents who consistently laud their children for every attempt to accomplish something, whether successful or not, actually erode the youngsters' sense of self-esteem.

Conclusion

Parents who consistently praise their children for every attempt to accomplish something, whether the kids were successful or not in their attempt, actually erode the youngsters' sense of self-esteem.

Evidence

If children are uniformly praised for both what they attempt and successfully accomplish as well a what they attempt and fail, they will eventually discount all words of praise and, in effect, stop hearing any praise at all.

Evaluate

Whenever we do Main Conclusion (and Role) we read the paragraph differently, knowing that 90% of the time the conclusion is the very first sentence, or it's some rebuttal signified with a pivot word (like "but, yet, however").

As we read this first sentence, we immediately ask ourselves whether it's eligible to be a conclusion (does it sound like an opinion coming from the author?)

This first sentence makes a causal claim, so it's not clear whether to hear it as opinion or accept it as fact. But it is definitely the author talking. If next claim or two feel like the author is trying to support / defend that opening claim, then we can confirm our suspicion that the first claim was the conclusion.

Indeed, the 2nd and 3rd sentences combine to explain how constantly praising your kids would erode their self-esteem.

Goal

We know the first sentence is the main conclusion, so we're just looking for whatever answer best matches the meaning of the first sentence.

24.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the overall conclusion of the argument?

  1. Parents should praise their children

    Unstated

    Not only does this not match the first sentence, it was never said at all, so it can't possibly be the correct answer. The main conclusion is a visible claim (almost always -- Main Point is allowed to be a gist-y takeaway).

    2% picked this

  2. Children whose actions are praised

    Premise

    This does not match the first sentence. It matches the premise.

    13% picked this

  3. Parents need to distinguish between

    Unstated

    Not only does this not match the first sentence, it was never said at all, so it can't possibly be the correct answer.

    1% picked this

  4. Correct

    Children's self-esteem will suffer if

    Why this is right

    This matches the first sentence.

    Skill tested: Main Conclusion · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    83% picked this

  5. Children will develop low self-esteem

    Unstated

    This does not match the first sentence, and it was never said at all.

    1% picked this

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