Logical Reasoning

PT142 · S4 · Q2 Historian: During the Industrial Revolution

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Historian: During the Industrial Revolution, for the first time in history, the productivity of the economy grew at a faster rate than the population and thus dramatically improved living standards.

Conclusion (So)

No one should accept the economist’s explanation until historical evidence demonstrates that a change in values occurred prior to the Industrial Revolution.

Evidence

The economist theorizes that growth was made possible by the spread of values such as hard work and thrift. Successful explanations need to be based on facts.

Evaluate

This is a classic example of a rebuttal conclusion found after a pivot (here, the word "But"). The historian starts by mentioning a theorized explanation from an economist and then provides a rebuttal by saying no one should accept that explanation without evidence. This claim is our historian's opinion and is supported by the claim that successful explanations need to be based on facts.

Goal

Find the best available meaning match for no one should accept the economist’s explanation until historical evidence demonstrates that a change in values occurred prior to the Industrial Revolution.

2.

The overall conclusion of the historian's argument is that

  1. during the Industrial Revolution the

    Premise

    This answer repeats a premise about economic growth during the Industrial Revolution.

    1% picked this

  2. the fact that the productivity

    Premise

    This answer is another premise discussing economic growth's effect on living standards, not the author's main conclusion.

    2% picked this

  3. Correct

    no one should accept the

    Why this is right

    This matches the meaning of the historian's overall conclusion, which is about not accepting the economist's explanation without historical evidence of a change in values.

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

    96% picked this

  4. the improvement in living standards

    Opposing Idea

    This answer implies a specific claim about what did not cause the improvement, which is part of the economist’s theory being disputed, not the main point of the historian.

    2% picked this

  5. values such as hard work

    Opposing Idea

    This answer touches on the economist's theory regarding values and is used as part of the premise, not the historian's conclusion.

    0% picked this

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