Determining which answer most accurately expresses the main idea of the argument
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LSAT Logical Reasoning › Determining which answer most accurately expresses the main idea of the argument
We all have an obligation to do our part to protect nature. Only those who do are environmentally responsible. No people who insist on using incandescent light bulbs do their part to protect nature.
Which of the following conclusions follows:
People who insist on using incandescent light bulbs are not environmentally responsible
Incandescent light bulbs cause harm to nature
Incandescent light bulbs are only used by those who are environmentally irresponsible
Environmentally responsible people have an obligation to discourage others from using incandescent light bulbs
All those who do not insist on using incandescent light bulbs are environmentally responsible
Explanation
Only people who do their part to protect nature are environmentally responsible. Those who insist on using incandescent light bulbs do not do their part to protect the environment. It follows that those who insist on using incandescent light bulbs are not environmentally responsible.
While factory unions provide accountability for employers and job security for employees, they also present some hazards. First, unions always increase costs of production by adding bureaucracy. Second, unions sometimes serve the elitist purpose of providing high pay and benefits for union members while non-members fail to find any employment.
Which of the following is the most logical conclusion to the passage?
Unions serve a valuable role, but also increase costs of production and sometimes increase elitism.
Unions sometimes cause the hazards of elitism and increased costs of production.
Unions serve a valuable role, but sometimes increase costs of production and increase elitism.
Unions provide critically important services to factory employees.
Unions provide valuable services, but sometimes increase costs of production and always serve elitist purposes.
Explanation
There are two keys to this question. First, the passage does not reach a firm, positive or negative conclusion about unions, instead suggesting that there are considerations on both sides. Second, the passage discusses two negative traits, but specifies that the first "always" occurs and the second "sometimes" occurs.
The growth of coffee shops raises interesting questions about the desire to spend time with other people. Coffee shops are wildly popular but it is not clear why. Sure, people love coffee, but they don't need to sit in a coffee shop to drink it. Further, while coffee shops try to create pleasant study environments, it seems unlikely that people sit for hours for the music over the speakers and the pictures on the walls. Besides, as coffee shops have become more popular, public and school libraries have become less popular. Is it possible that the real coffee shop appeal is the opportunity to be around other people?
Which of the following most accurately states the primary point of the passage?
It is unclear why coffee shops are popular, but the answer could be that they provide a way for customers to be around other people
It is unclear why coffee shops are so popular because they do not seem to have any unique advantages
The atmosphere of coffee shops should be more appealing than that of libraries
Coffee shops are more popular than they once were despite the fact that they appear to have little to offer customers
Customers are drawn to coffee shops even though they are filled with other people and do not have uniquely appealing atmospheres
Explanation
The first and last sentences of the passage raise the issue of whether people attend coffee shops to be around other people. Instead of stating a firm conclusion, the purpose of the passage is to raise that possible explanation by ruling out others.
Taxpayers have been complaining about the U.S. tax system for many years. The tax system is so complex that very few can understand its provisions. A tax system that can only be understood by a very few people inefficiently generates revenue.
Which of the following is a logical conclusion to the argument?
The U.S. tax system inefficiently generates revenue
Taxpayers complain about the U.S. tax system because it inefficiently generates revenue
The U.S. tax system generates revenue less efficiently than some other systems
Taxpayers would complain about the tax system less if it were less complex
The U.S. tax system inefficiently generates revenue because its complexity creates loopholes
Explanation
If the U.S. tax system can only be understood by a few, and tax systems that can only be understood by a few inefficiently generate revenue, then it follows that the U.S. tax system inefficiently generates revenue.
Despite the discoloration present on the patient's legs, there is no reason to suspect that she has poor circulation. Many individuals have unique skin pigmentation on their lower extremities. In fact, it is likely that this discoloration has been present since birth.
Which of the following best expresses the main conclusion of the above passage?
There is no reason to believe that the patient has poor circulation.
The patient is suffering from discoloration on the legs.
Many individuals have unique pigmentation on their lower extremities.
The patient's discoloration has been present since birth.
There is reason to believe that the patient has poor circulation.
Explanation
The conclusion is quickly drawn in the opening sentence. The succeeding discussion simply explains the reasoning behind the conclusion, and is therefore not relevant to the answer.
The political writer criticized the use of the term, "global warming," as he believes it can confuse the general public as to the reality of the climate change that the world is experiencing. The trends that we are seeing in climate change are not limited to increased temperatures in some areas, but also significantly decreased temperatures in others. The issue isn't the general "warming" of the globe, but its simultaneous warming and cooling. Based on these facts, the writer prefers the term "global weirding" to "global warming."
Which of the following most accurately describes the main point of the argument?
Terminology with inappropriate connotations can confuse the general public's understanding of important issues.
Global warming is misunderstood by most people.
Global cooling is just as severe of a problem as global warming.
It is important to be precise in our use of language.
Trends in climate change are only now beginning to come to light.
Explanation
The correct answer is:
Terminology with inappropriate connotations can confuse the general public's understanding of important issues.
The writer believes that "global warming" is an inappropriate term because it makes people overlook the fact that global cooling is also a serious problem. The main point of the text is to communicate the problems that can arise when terminology with improper connotations is used in practice.
Smoking cigarettes continues to be a common practice despite countless studies demonstrating that the habit causes deadly diseases. The government has attempted to reduce the number of smokers with advertising campaigns that explain the consequences of smoking, but the campaigns have been ineffective because the habit continues to be as prevalent as it was previous to the campaigns. The government should try one or more of the many alternatives to advertising. For instance, the government could raise the tax on cigarettes to the extent that smoking is prohibitively expensive.
Which of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?
The government should take a new approach to reduce the number of people who smoke cigarettes
Advertising campaigns cannot reduce the number of people who smoke cigarettes
The government should increase taxes on cigarettes so that they are prohibitively expensive
Smoking cigarettes continues to be a common habit despite government initiatives to reduce the number of smokers
Smoking cigarettes can cause deadly diseases.
Explanation
The primary point of the passage is that the government should take a new approach to reducing the number of smokers. The passage mentions the prevalence of smoking, failure of advertising campaigns, and harms caused by smoking to support that conclusion. The passage mentions raising taxes merely as an example of one possible approach.
Physical trainer: Exercise is one of the most important parts of one's day. Many people are aware that 30 minutes of exercise lowers the heart rate, burns calories, and strengthens muscles. Many people, however, do not know that 30 minutes of exercise can also provide the benefits of elevating a person's metabolism and increasing productivity at work or school.
Which of the following best expresses the trainer's main point?
Exercise is important because of a variety of benefits, some of which are widely known and some of which are not well known
Most people do not know about the most important benefits that exercise provides
There are important benefits of exercise, but there are some negative consequences as well
People are more likely to exercise if they are fully aware of the benefits of doing so
30 minutes of daily exercise is important for lowering a heart rate, burning calories, and strengthening muscles
Explanation
The trainer's main point is not simply to express that exercise is important. The trainer's point is to communicate the particular benefits and to note that there are even more advantages than most people are aware of.
In driving from work to the supermarket, a man’s path of travel is publicly exposed to pedestrians and other drivers. Each trip that he makes is in public view. However, a single trip does not lend much insight into a person’s life. As a puzzle piece only reveals a small portion of the greater scheme, a single trip to the mall or a friend’s house reveals only a small amount about a person. However, by affixing a GPS tracking device to the undercarriage of a man’s car, it is possible to determine not only the locations he travels to over an extended period of time, but also the time of day and frequency that he visits them. Repeated visits to a female coworker’s home suggest one thing, while frequent stops at a liquor store reveal another. GPS technology can uncover the individual puzzle pieces of a person’s weekly routine, and expose intimate details once those pieces are fit together.
Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the excerpt?
The process of gathering data can reveal patterns that lend insight into a person’s life that could not have been realized by the observance of a single action.
Technology is developing at such a rapid pace that it is infringing on the privacy of the public at large.
GPS technology can reveal when a man might be cheating on his wife, or when a person might be suffering from an alcohol problem.
GPS devices are powerful tools that are easily concealed, as they gather incredible amounts of information and can be affixed to the undercarriage of a car without detection.
The whole is often greater than the sum of its parts; by looking at the big picture instead of focusing on small pieces of information, we can often get a more accurate sense of the reality that we face.
Explanation
Often times, the correct answer can be found using a process of elimination. The following answer choices are incorrect for the following reasons:
The passage does not say that technology is developing at a rapid pace, so this answer choice is incorrect.
Although two of the answer choices reveal what GPS is capable of, they do not capture the main conclusion of the passage. These answer choices are too narrow.
Finally, "The whole is often greater than the sum of its parts . . ." is too broad and does not relate enough to the content of the text.
The only option choice left is the correct answer, which draws a conclusion that is neither too narrow, nor too broad.
Most business executives believe that corporate taxes should never be raised. Our mayor, who is running for reelection, has suggested raising the corporate income tax by fifteen percent next year. He argues that the increase will help balance the municipal budget. Clearly, though, he will lose the election, and the proposal will ultimately be discarded.
Which of the following best expresses the main conclusion in the passage above?
The mayor's proposal to raise corporate taxes will be discarded.
Most business executives believe that corporate taxes should never be raised.
The proposed tax increase will help balance the municipal budget.
The mayor will raise the corporate income tax rate.
Business leaders will prevent the mayor from being reelected.
Explanation
It is essential to identify which components of the paragraph provide background information, and which are directly relevant to the argument being advanced. In this question, most of the initial sentences outline context. In the last sentence, a conclusion is drawn, making it the easily recognizable main conclusion of the argument.