How will the right answer fit in terms of support and conclusion?

Only the right answer will accurately describe what kind of support, conclusion, or background the “proposition” is.

Highlight the main conclusion in the passage, if there is one:

emotion is not nonrational

Philosopher: [BACKGROUND]. But [MAIN CONCLUSION]: [INTERMEDIATE CONCLUSION]. [SUPPORT]. Thus, for example, [SUPPORT].

When you see background info like this, that sounds like “Some people say…”, you can anticipate that the author will disagree. And that disagreement will be the main conclusion. So it is here.

The part we’re being asked about comes right after “for example”, so that’s the first thing to check for in the answers. And this example supports what came right before it, which in turn was supporting that main conclusion in the “But” statement.

Map the wording of the answers to the wording of the passage:

(A) …that the argument seeks to explain.

This started off nicely with the “example” part, but it was an example of the support right before it. What “the argument seeks to explain” is a conclusion, so this is mixing up the parts of the argument.

(B) It is the main conclusion…

Stop. We saw clearly that the disagreement with other “philosophers” (a/k/a some people) was the main conclusion.

(C) It is a specific instance illustrating…

So that’s a wordy way to say it’s an “example”. And the support it illustrates actually uses the word “general”, so that maps too. And since there was another conclusion between this “proposition” and the main conclusion, “indirectly supporting” is right on. Love this.

(D) It is a concession…

Stop. No it isn’t, it’s an example. A “concession” is background that sounds like “Even though…” or “While it may be true that…” It comes right before an author pushes back.

(E) It is the explanation…

Stop. It’s not an explanation, it’s an example of an explanation. Out.

(C) is the correct answer.

Common pattern/s in this question: Catching that “Philosophers usually…” sounds like “Some people say…” helps you tag the right conclusion quickly, which is especially valuable on a question about “the role played”.