Academic argument · B2. Distinguish “assumption” (premise accepted without proof) from “implication” (possible consequence or suggested meaning). Read the situation before choosing; these words are not interchangeable. Additional contrast: “premise” means starting proposition on which an argument rests; “rebuttal” means response that argues against a claim. Compare their uses in the learning cards.
Complete 24 original tasks. Use the situation to choose the intended meaning, practise the form, then apply it in a fresh context.
The experiment tests the assumption that silence always helps concentration.
The experiment tests the assumption that silence always helps concentration.
These match this sense. Word families can change meaning; near meanings are not always interchangeable.
Practise “underlying assumption” as a whole phrase. Here “assumption” has the sense premise accepted without proof.
Distinguish “assumption” (premise accepted without proof) from “implication” (possible consequence or suggested meaning). Read the situation before choosing; these words are not interchangeable. Additional contrast: “premise” means starting proposition on which an argument rests; “rebuttal” means response that argues against a claim. Compare their uses in the learning cards.
The argument rests on an untested assumption.
Distinguish “counterargument” (reasoned objection to an argument) from “bias” (systematic tendency distorting judgement). Read the situation before choosing; these words are not interchangeable. Additional contrast: “correlation” means relationship in which two things vary together; “causation” means relationship in which one thing produces another. Compare their uses in the learning cards.
The author addresses a strong counterargument.
Distinguish “validity” (extent to which a claim or method is well founded) from “thesis” (central claim defended in an argument). Read the situation before choosing; these words are not interchangeable. Additional contrast: “generalisation” means broad statement drawn from particular cases; “concession” means acknowledgement that part of an opposing argument is valid. Compare their uses in the learning cards.
The small sample limits the study’s validity.
Complete the sentence with the expression that matches the stated situation.
Distinguish “counterargument” (reasoned objection to an argument) from “bias” (systematic tendency distorting judgement). Read the situation before choosing; these words are not interchangeable. Additional contrast: “correlation” means relationship in which two things vary together; “causation” means relationship in which one thing produces another. Compare their uses in the learning cards.
The author addresses a strong counterargument.Distinguish “validity” (extent to which a claim or method is well founded) from “thesis” (central claim defended in an argument). Read the situation before choosing; these words are not interchangeable. Additional contrast: “generalisation” means broad statement drawn from particular cases; “concession” means acknowledgement that part of an opposing argument is valid. Compare their uses in the learning cards.
The small sample limits the study’s validity.Distinguish “assumption” (premise accepted without proof) from “implication” (possible consequence or suggested meaning). Read the situation before choosing; these words are not interchangeable. Additional contrast: “premise” means starting proposition on which an argument rests; “rebuttal” means response that argues against a claim. Compare their uses in the learning cards.
The argument rests on an untested assumption.Keep the first try. Understand the change. Check it in a fresh situation.
No practice notes yet. Try a short warm-up.
premise accepted without proof
possible consequence or suggested meaning
reasoned objection to an argument
systematic tendency distorting judgement
extent to which a claim or method is well founded
central claim defended in an argument
starting proposition on which an argument rests
response that argues against a claim
relationship in which two things vary together
relationship in which one thing produces another
broad statement drawn from particular cases
acknowledgement that part of an opposing argument is valid
Opening an answer records help for that question.
Complete the sentence with the expression that matches the stated situation.
The deciding cue is “untested”: it identifies the meaning “premise accepted without proof”. Check a starting proposition versus the central conclusion defended by the essay; “assumption” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “The argument rests on an untested assumption.”.
The writer is describing a possible consequence of a policy that has not yet been introduced, not objecting to the policy.
The deciding cue is “possible consequence”: it identifies the meaning “possible consequence or suggested meaning”. Check the role of the claim in the argument; “implication” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “One implication is that costs may rise.”.
A critic argues that the method excludes older participants. The author responds to that argument. The gap names the critic’s reasoned objection, not a distortion in the data or method itself.
The deciding cue is “names the critic’s reasoned objection”: it identifies the meaning “reasoned objection to an argument”. Check opposing a claim, responding to it with refutation, or accepting part of the other side’s case; “counterargument” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “The author addresses a strong counterargument.”.
Complete the sentence with the expression that matches the stated situation.
The deciding cue is “selection”: it identifies the meaning “systematic tendency distorting judgement”. Check the role of the claim in the argument; “bias” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “The sample introduced selection bias.”.
Complete the sentence with the expression that matches the stated situation.
The deciding cue is “small sample”: it identifies the meaning “extent to which a claim or method is well founded”. Check the role of the claim in the argument; “validity” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “The small sample limits the study’s validity.”.
At the beginning of her essay, she states the central claim that she will defend throughout. It is not a reply to a critic.
The deciding cue is “central claim”: it identifies the meaning “central claim defended in an argument”. Check a starting proposition versus the central conclusion defended by the essay; “thesis” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “Her thesis challenges the standard explanation.”.
Complete the sentence with the expression that matches the stated situation.
The deciding cue is “without demonstrating it”: it identifies the meaning “premise accepted without proof”. Check a starting proposition versus the central conclusion defended by the essay; “assumption” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “The model treats demand as constant without demonstrating it; this is an assumption.”.
Complete the sentence with the expression that matches the stated situation.
The deciding cue is “need for extra funding”: it identifies the meaning “possible consequence or suggested meaning”. Check the role of the claim in the argument; “implication” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “If the result applies nationally, an important policy implication is the need for extra funding.”.
Complete the sentence with the expression that matches the stated situation.
The deciding cue is “An objection”: it identifies the meaning “reasoned objection to an argument”. Check opposing a claim, responding to it with refutation, or accepting part of the other side’s case; “counterargument” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “An objection claiming that the proposed method is too expensive is a counterargument.”.
Complete the sentence with the expression that matches the stated situation.
The deciding cue is “only supporters”: it identifies the meaning “systematic tendency distorting judgement”. Check the role of the claim in the argument; “bias” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “Interviewing only supporters can create bias in the findings.”.
Complete the sentence with the expression that matches the stated situation.
The deciding cue is “measures what it claims”: it identifies the meaning “extent to which a claim or method is well founded”. Check the role of the claim in the argument; “validity” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “The question is whether the test measures what it claims; this concerns its validity.”.
Complete the sentence with the expression that matches the stated situation.
The deciding cue is “central claim”: it identifies the meaning “central claim defended in an argument”. Check a starting proposition versus the central conclusion defended by the essay; “thesis” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “The essay’s central claim, defended throughout, is its thesis.”.
Choose the expression that matches the situation.
The deciding cue is “starting assumption”: it identifies the meaning “starting proposition on which an argument rests”. Check a starting proposition versus the central conclusion defended by the essay; “premise” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “What is the term for the proposition used as the starting assumption of an argument? A premise.”.
Choose the expression that matches the situation.
The deciding cue is “function is to refute”: it identifies the meaning “response that argues against a claim”. Check opposing a claim, responding to it with refutation, or accepting part of the other side’s case; “rebuttal” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “What term specifically names a response whose function is to refute a critic’s claim, rather than the type of statement used in that response? A rebuttal.”.
Choose the expression that matches the situation.
The deciding cue is “neither has been shown to cause”: it identifies the meaning “relationship in which two things vary together”. Check association versus one factor actually producing a change; “correlation” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “The figures show a correlation: the two measures rise together, but neither has been shown to cause the other.”.
Choose the expression that matches the situation.
The deciding cue is “actually produces the change”: it identifies the meaning “relationship in which one thing produces another”. Check association versus one factor actually producing a change; “causation” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “To demonstrate causation, the researchers must show that changing one factor actually produces the change in the other.”.
Choose the expression that matches the situation.
The deciding cue is “small number of particular cases”: it identifies the meaning “broad statement drawn from particular cases”. Check the role of the claim in the argument; “generalisation” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “The specific term for a broad statement drawn from a small number of particular cases, such as a claim about all teenagers after asking only two, is a generalisation.”.
Choose the expression that matches the situation.
The deciding cue is “opponent is right”: it identifies the meaning “acknowledgement that part of an opposing argument is valid”. Check opposing a claim, responding to it with refutation, or accepting part of the other side’s case; “concession” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “The writer makes a concession by admitting that her opponent is right about the initial cost.”.
Choose the expression that matches the situation.
The deciding cue is “starting proposition”: it identifies the meaning “starting proposition on which an argument rests”. Check a starting proposition versus the central conclusion defended by the essay; “premise” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “The term for a starting proposition on which an argument rests, whether that proposition is general or specific, is a premise.”.
Choose the expression that matches the situation.
The deciding cue is “gave evidence to disprove”: it identifies the meaning “response that argues against a claim”. Check opposing a claim, responding to it with refutation, or accepting part of the other side’s case; “rebuttal” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “She directly challenged the accusation and gave evidence to disprove it, without accepting any part of it. The term for this refuting response is a rebuttal.”.
Choose the expression that matches the situation.
The deciding cue is “not necessarily a causal link”: it identifies the meaning “relationship in which two things vary together”. Check association versus one factor actually producing a change; “correlation” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “A statistical correlation between two variables establishes an association, not necessarily a causal link.”.
Choose the expression that matches the situation.
The deciding cue is “itself brought about recovery”: it identifies the meaning “relationship in which one thing produces another”. Check association versus one factor actually producing a change; “causation” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “The claim concerns causation, not just association: it says the treatment itself brought about recovery.”.
Choose the expression that matches the situation.
The deciding cue is “one case to a whole population”: it identifies the meaning “broad statement drawn from particular cases”. Check the role of the claim in the argument; “generalisation” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “The reviewer warned against extending one case to a whole population. The term for this act of drawing a broad claim from specific cases is generalisation.”.
Choose the expression that matches the situation.
The deciding cue is “acknowledging a valid point”: it identifies the meaning “acknowledgement that part of an opposing argument is valid”. Check opposing a claim, responding to it with refutation, or accepting part of the other side’s case; “concession” expresses that specific meaning here. Completed wording: “'I accept that this method is slower' is a concession acknowledging a valid point on the other side.”.