bod face general advise

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by David@VeritasPrep » Sun Nov 24, 2013 12:15 pm
Sure!

Here is a general strategy for Bold-faced questions:

begin by identifying the main conclusion. There may not be a main conclusion on a bold faced problem. The stimulus might be a paradox for example, but there usually is a main conclusion, so if there is one find it. If there is not, don't worry about it just figure out why there is no main conclusion (is it a paradox for example?).

Once you have the main conclusion take each bold statement and ask yourself three things:

1) Is there a clear role for the statement? Categories are "Prediction" "main conclusion" "evidence" "opinion" etc. If the role of the statement is not clear then proceed to the next step.

2) How does the statement relate to the main conclusion? Is it the conclusion? Is it evidence in support of the conclusion? Does it undermine the conclusion? etc...

3) How does the statement relate to the other statement? Does it support the other statement? Does the other bold support it? Does it undermine the other statement? etc...

If you understand these three things - usually not too hard to do on most questions - then you are ready to work through the answer choices pretty efficiently.


There is no one best way to go through the answer choices. Some people go answer choice by answer choice and look at the roles of both portions. Some people go through all of the answers looking only at one portion and then go back and look at the roles of the other portion for the choices that are still left in the running. Try it different ways and see what works for you. The point is to understand, at least in general terms (such as "portion 1 is evidence that supports the conclusion but contradicts the other statement") the roles before you go to the answer choices.
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by parulmahajan89 » Sun Nov 24, 2013 7:24 pm
Alright! Thanks. I will try it out