Question

A small group of law professors have suggested that the university's current JD program be restructured so students can spend more time reading case studies and studying independently since a wide knowledge of legal precedent is key to the success of its alumni. These professors are advocating an end to the public-speaking class requirement. But there is an obvious benefit to training young attorneys to speak confidently and articulately in court, and recent graduates of the program have remarked that they were frequently required to verbally describe case studies to colleagues.
Which of the following most logically concludes the argument?

• A. These law professors are incorrect in their assumption that more time reading case studies independently will lead to alumni success.
• B. Alumni success, therefore, is contingent upon an equal balance between public-speaking and reading case studies.
• C. Attorneys who cannot verbally articulate case studies will not have as much success in the workplace as those who can.
• D. Keeping the public-speaking class in the curriculum is not wholly inconsistent with the law professors' goal of fostering alumni success.
• E. The university should expand the public-speaking requirement, rather than omit it, as verbal skills are just as valuable as case study knowledge in the workplace.

Hint:

When concluding an argument, focus on the central balance or relationship between the key factors discussed in the passage.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the argument.
The argument discusses the law professors' suggestion to de-emphasize public-speaking training in favor of more case study reading. However, the counterargument is that public speaking is crucial for alumni success in the workplace. The most logical conclusion is that alumni success requires a balance of both skills.

Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (A) This option rejects the law professors' assumption but doesn't directly conclude the argument.
- (B) This is the correct conclusion, as it emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to both public speaking and case study reading.
- (C) This option makes a valid point about success but doesn't directly follow from the argument's context.
- (D) This doesn't logically conclude the argument as it only addresses the public-speaking class, rather than the need for a balance.
- (E) This is a valid point, but it doesn't conclude the argument about the balance of skills needed.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (B), as it logically concludes that alumni success is tied to balancing both public speaking and case study reading.