Solving “Evaluate” Questions

This open question type asks you what information would most help you evaluate whether the main conclusion is true:

• Which one of the following would be most useful to know in order to evaluate the argument?

Make a Strong Prediction

On an Evaluate question, the argument must be flawed in some way. The best way to predict the correct answer is to identify this flaw by spotting lingering doubts, gaps in the argument’s logic, or unstated assumptions. 

You’re not on anyone’s side in this argument—you’re just trying to figure out whether the conclusion is true. What evidence do you wish you had?

What to Look For

The correct answer won’t give you new information. Instead, it will ask you what new information you’d most like to know. It can help or hurt the conclusion. Either way, you’re looking for the answer that would, if you learned its content, do the most to help or hurt the main conclusion.

So, as you read each answer, ask yourself:

• Would the information in this answer either help or hurt the conclusion more than the other four answers?

All things equal, strongly-worded answer choices tend to provide more impactful evidence (whether in favor of or against the argument). But remember content is always more important than word strength.