PT154 S2 Q13 ExplanationAdvertisers typically prohibit graphic designers

Answer choices, explained

1. A

   Background / Counterpoint0% picked this

   Prohibitions against graphic designers’ signing their works are common

   This is the practice that the author is arguing against. Her conclusion is that "it would be better if there were NOT prohibitions against graphic designers' signing their works"

   0%
2. B

   Premise for the Counterpoint1% picked this

   In advertising, the purpose of a graphic design is to focus attention on an advertised product or service

   This is the reason the advertisers would offer for the practice of forbidding graphic designers from signing their name. Our author is concluding it would be better if we didn't have that practice, based on her premise that putting their name on their work would better hold graphic designers accountable.

   1%
3. C

   Correct84% picked this

   It is not desirable that graphic designers

   Why this is right

   This means basically the same thing as "it is better that graphic designers not remain anonymous".

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

   84%
4. D

   Out of Scope: less effective7% picked this

   Graphic design is made less effective by anonymity on the part

   This answer is probably tempting, but it's coming from a place of trying to make this question more complicated than it is. Does "it is better that GD's not remain anonymous" mean the same thing as "anonymity makes GD's less effective"? No. The first claim is unspecific about why it would be better that GD's not remain anonymous. The second one giving a specific reason why it would be better. So this answer is a poor match for the conclusion. Additionally, the author's specific reason (revealed in her premise in the final sentence) is not that it makes GD's more effective, but that it makes them more accountable.

   7%
5. E

   Assumption, Not Stated8% picked this

   Holding graphic designers accountable for their work is difficult when those

   This claim was never said, so it can't possibly be a good match for the author's explicit conclusion. This answer just feels "true" because it's a necessary assumption linking the author's premise to her conclusion. Picking this answer is again overcomplicating our actual task: just find the answer choice that matches the claim you picked as the conclusion. If you get down to 2 or 3 choices, you should be asking yourself, "Which one better matches the claim I highlighted as the conclusion?" You can also ask yourself "Why should I believe this?" to test whether the answer choice you're considering was supported in the paragraph. Why should we believe that ... holding GD's accountable is hard if they're anonymous ? There's no reason provided. Meanwhile, for correct answer (C), Why should we believe that ... it is not desirable that GD's remain anonymous? Because ... if they weren't anonymous, they would be more accountable.

   8%