In a good Evaluate The Argument item, the correct answer should be which of the following relative to the conclusion?

• A. Paraphrase that captures the conclusion's meaning.
• B. Quote the conclusion word-for-word.
• C. Restate premises.
• D. Propose a new alternative conclusion.

Answer: (A)

Understanding exactly what the conclusion says is the key idea here. When evaluating an argument, paraphrasing the conclusion to capture its meaning in your own words shows you truly grasp what claim is being made. This makes it possible to see whether the premises actually support that claim, since you can compare the intended meaning of the conclusion with the reasons given.

Quoting the conclusion word-for-word isn't necessary and can get in the way of focusing on the idea itself and how well the premises back it up. Restating the premises shifts attention to the reasons rather than to the conclusion being defended, which isn’t what you need to judge the argument’s strength. Proposing a new alternative conclusion changes the argument you’re evaluating rather than assessing the one presented. Therefore, paraphrasing the conclusion to reflect its meaning is the best fit.