LNAT Structuring a Coherent Essay 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In essay writing, 'coherence' primarily refers to:
- Using sophisticated vocabulary throughout
- The logical flow and connectedness of ideas across the essay (Correct answer)
- Adhering strictly to a five-paragraph format
- Citing a minimum number of authoritative sources
Correct answer: The logical flow and connectedness of ideas across the essay
Coherence is the quality of the essay's ideas connecting smoothly and logically, so the reader can follow the argument without confusion.
Question 2: A student writes a body paragraph without a topic sentence. The likely consequence is:
- The paragraph will be more persuasive due to its directness
- The reader will struggle to identify what point the paragraph is making (Correct answer)
- The essay will appear more sophisticated by avoiding formulaic structure
- The examiner will assume the topic sentence is implied and award full marks
Correct answer: The reader will struggle to identify what point the paragraph is making
Without a topic sentence, the paragraph's purpose is unclear, forcing the reader to infer the argument rather than follow it.
Question 3: Which of the following best illustrates the 'umbrella' approach to thesis construction?
- Writing a broad thesis that each body paragraph narrows and supports (Correct answer)
- Writing separate theses for each paragraph to maximize coverage
- Placing the thesis in the penultimate paragraph for dramatic effect
- Using a rhetorical question as the thesis statement
Correct answer: Writing a broad thesis that each body paragraph narrows and supports
An umbrella thesis is broad enough to encompass all body paragraph arguments, giving the essay a unified direction.
Question 4: An essay arguing that mandatory sentencing laws should be repealed is most structurally sound if its body paragraphs address:
- The history of sentencing, famous criminal cases, and prison statistics in random order
- The effect on judicial discretion, disproportionate impact on minorities, and lack of deterrence evidence—each in a distinct paragraph (Correct answer)
- Only the strongest argument, repeated across three paragraphs for emphasis
- Personal opinions of the student alternated with general observations
Correct answer: The effect on judicial discretion, disproportionate impact on minorities, and lack of deterrence evidence—each in a distinct paragraph
Distinct paragraphs covering separate dimensions of the argument build a cumulative, multi-faceted case that is both logical and thorough.
Question 5: What is the risk of using a 'stream of consciousness' writing style in an LNAT essay?
- It may appear overly formal and alienate the examiner
- Ideas will flow in an unstructured way, making the argument difficult to evaluate (Correct answer)
- It signals creativity, which examiners typically penalize
- It results in essays that are too short for the word limit
Correct answer: Ideas will flow in an unstructured way, making the argument difficult to evaluate
Stream of consciousness writing lacks deliberate structure, producing essays where the argument is buried or absent rather than clearly advanced.
Question 6: When should a writer use a rhetorical question in an LNAT essay?
- As a substitute for a thesis statement in the introduction
- Sparingly, to draw the reader's attention to a key tension or implication (Correct answer)
- In every paragraph to maintain reader engagement
- As the first sentence of the conclusion to avoid making a definitive claim
Correct answer: Sparingly, to draw the reader's attention to a key tension or implication
Rhetorical questions are a useful device when used deliberately to highlight a key issue, but overuse weakens argumentative precision.
Question 7: A student argues that 'euthanasia should be legal' and uses three paragraphs to discuss the history of medicine, ancient Greek views, and the etymology of the word 'euthanasia.' What structural problem exists?
- The essay lacks sufficient historical context for a legal argument
- The body paragraphs do not advance the central argumentative claim (Correct answer)
- The introduction is too short relative to the body
- The student should have chosen a less controversial topic
Correct answer: The body paragraphs do not advance the central argumentative claim
None of the body paragraphs argue for or against legalization; they provide context without contributing to the thesis.
LNAT Structuring a Coherent Essay 4
In essay writing, 'coherence' primarily refers to: