Critical Reasoning: Boldface Type Questions
Television viewing has proven, detrimental effects on both adults and children. These effects range from a decrease in physical activity, resulting in obesity, to social and behavioral abnormalities. The popularity of traditional television viewing has hardly been affected by entertainment offered through the internet, and time spent watching television is the highest of any activity other than sleeping. It is hoped that the increasing of public awareness may result in the decrease of the negative effects caused by the excessive use of this media.
In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly. The second boldface portion does not contain a claim that the issue will be eliminated. The words may and decrease tell us that this strategy will not solve the issue definitely and entirely.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly. The second boldface portion cannot be referred to as evidence since it does not contain any factual information.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly. The second boldface portion does not provide any reasoning that could be referred to as an explanation of the argument.
Incorrect.
The first boldface portion does not object any other statement in the argument, but merely gives us more information about the topic. You can immediately eliminate answer choices that incorrectly define
the first boldface part; do not waste time reading the rest.
Terrific work!
The first portion compares watching television to sleeping and to all other activities. The second is the author's idea on how the problem raised by the argument may be dealt with.
