Studies have shown that people who keep daily diet records are far mor

This one is a good question to practice

For every CR question, determine conclusion correctly is always KEY. But it’s a bit easier if you have some signal words in mind to distinguish a conclusion form a premise.

*Signal words for premises –OR-- facts:
- The fact shows that…..
- For the reason that…..
- Due to…..
- Because…..
- For….
- Sine……
- For example……
- As indicated by…….

Signal words for Conclusions:
- Thus…..
- Therefore……
- Hence………
- Conclude that…….
- Believe that……
- For this reason……
- Shows that……
Note: if you see “studies shows that…… <-- normally, this is NOT a conclusion. Let ask yourself “what the studies, or scientific studies show? Absolutely, studies can ONLY show FACT, they can't conclude something. ONLY a person who does the studies can conclude”. But if you see “researchers show that….<-- This is a CONCLUSION because it concluded by people/scientists who have done studies.

ANALYZE THE STIMULUS:

Fact: Studies have shown that people who keep daily diet records are far more successful at losing weight than people who don’t keep track of what they eat.
Conclusion: Researchers believe that many weight-loss efforts fail because people eat more calories than they intend to consume.
Fact: One study followed a group of patients who reported that they could not lose weight when consuming only 1,200 calories a day. The study found that the group consumed, on average, 47% more than it claimed and exercised 51% less. In contrast, when dieters record what they eat, their actual consumption more closely matches their reported consumption.

ANALYZE EACH ANSWER:

(A.) The first is a conclusion reached by researchers; the second is evidence that that conclusion is correct.
Wrong. The first is NOT a conclusion. Why? See my note a above: The studies can’t conclude something. Only a person who does the studies can conclude. The studies only show FACTS.

(B) The first is an explanation of why a certain theory is thought to be true; the second is an example of research results that support this theory.
Wrong. The first is NOT an explanation of a theory. Clearly, you see the second sentence: Researchers believe that…….. because……… <== The exist of “because” clearly tells you the first is NOT the explanation for what researchers believe. The first sentence is ONLY FACT, NOT explanation.

(C) The first is an example illustrating the truth of a certain theory; the second is a competing theory.
Wrong. The second does not compete the first.

(D) The first is a premise upon which the researchers base their opinion; the second illustrates that their opinion is correct.
Correct 100%. The first is the FACT and clearly is a PREMISE. The second one more time illustrate what researchers believe is TRUE.

(E) The first introduces a theory that the researchers have disproved; the second is the basis for the researchers’ argument.
Wrong. The first actually supports the main conclusion, NOT disprove.

TAKEAWAY:
Always have some magic words (signal words) in mind to help determine a correct conclusion.

Hope it helps.