Critical Reasoning: Argument Structure - Identifying Conclusions Using Non-Conjunctions

Which of the sentences in the following argument are **premises**? {color:red}**(1)** A 1999 study found that the average age of marriage in Country X was 25 for men and 31 for women.{/color} {color:light-blue}**(2)** A similar study conducted five years later found that the average age of marriage in Country X remained the same for men but dropped to 20 for women.{/color} {color:purple}**(3)** Following these studies, it is recommended that the government of Country X consider passing a law that will determine 18 as a minimum age for marriage.{/color}

That's correct. Sentence 1 is indeed a {color:light-green}**premise**{/color}. It's the basis for a {color:light-blue}**conclusion**{/color} or **recommendation** that the author makes later in the paragraph.

Right. The author uses Sentence 2 to justify another statement made in the paragraph. Therefore, Sentence 2 is a {color:light-green}**premise**{/color}.

Not exactly. Does a sentence which contains **a recommendation** characterize a {color:light-green}**premise**{/color} or a {color:light-blue}**conclusion**{/color}?

Very good. A **recommendation** indeed characterizes a {color:light-blue}**conclusion**{/color}, so Sentence 3 is the argument's {color:light-blue}**conclusion**{/color}.

That's not it. A {color:light-green}**premise**{/color} is an already existing fact, such as the findings of a study/research. Any **recommendation** made in the argument indicates to the {color:light-blue}**conclusion**{/color}.

Sentence 1

Sentence 2

Sentence 3

Premise

Conclusion

Proceed to step