LNAT Structuring a Coherent Essay 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the best strategy for managing time when structuring an LNAT essay in 40 minutes?
- Spend the first 30 minutes writing and the last 10 planning a structural outline
- Spend 5-8 minutes outlining key arguments before writing to ensure structural clarity (Correct answer)
- Begin writing immediately to maximize word count within the time limit
- Write the conclusion first, then fill in the body paragraphs in any order
Correct answer: Spend 5-8 minutes outlining key arguments before writing to ensure structural clarity
A brief planning phase prevents structural drift and ensures each paragraph has a clear purpose before writing begins.
Question 2: An essay arguing 'social media companies should be held legally liable for harmful content' would be weakened most by which structural choice?
- Including a paragraph that acknowledges the difficulty of defining 'harmful content'
- Dedicating the final paragraph to a counter-argument without providing a rebuttal (Correct answer)
- Opening with a clear definition of legal liability
- Using the conclusion to restate and reinforce the thesis
Correct answer: Dedicating the final paragraph to a counter-argument without providing a rebuttal
Ending on an unrefuted counter-argument leaves the reader with doubt about the thesis rather than confidence in the argument.
Question 3: The phrase 'This point is related to the broader issue of…' at the end of a body paragraph serves what structural function?
- It introduces a new piece of evidence for the current paragraph
- It acts as a linking sentence that connects the paragraph to the essay's wider argument (Correct answer)
- It signals that the paragraph is complete and requires no further analysis
- It replaces the need for a topic sentence in the following paragraph
Correct answer: It acts as a linking sentence that connects the paragraph to the essay's wider argument
Linking sentences at the end of paragraphs show how each point connects to the essay's overall argument, enhancing coherence.
Question 4: An LNAT essay on 'whether the voting age should be lowered to 16' contains paragraphs in this order: counter-argument, evidence for lowering the age, thesis statement, conclusion. What is wrong?
- The conclusion should come before the counter-argument
- The thesis statement belongs in the introduction, not as a body paragraph (Correct answer)
- There are too many paragraphs for the LNAT essay format
- The counter-argument should always be the final body paragraph
Correct answer: The thesis statement belongs in the introduction, not as a body paragraph
The thesis must appear in the introduction to frame the argument; placing it mid-essay leaves the opening without direction.
Question 5: What does 'logical progression' mean in the context of LNAT essay structure?
- Using numbered lists to present arguments in order of importance
- Arranging arguments so each one builds on or develops from the previous one (Correct answer)
- Ensuring every paragraph is the same length for visual balance
- Beginning with the weakest argument and ending with the strongest
Correct answer: Arranging arguments so each one builds on or develops from the previous one
Logical progression means each paragraph advances the argument in a way that depends on or extends what came before, creating cumulative persuasive force.
Question 6: A student writes an essay with a strong introduction and conclusion but body paragraphs that jump between unrelated points. The examiner would most likely assess this as:
- A highly structured essay with creative freedom in the body
- An essay with good framing but lacking internal coherence (Correct answer)
- A fully coherent essay marred only by minor transitional issues
- An excellent essay demonstrating breadth of knowledge
Correct answer: An essay with good framing but lacking internal coherence
Coherence requires the body to sustain the logical structure set up by the introduction; disjointed body paragraphs undermine the entire essay despite strong bookends.
Question 7: When the LNAT essay prompt presents a binary ('Should X be banned: yes or no?'), which structural approach is most effective?
- Refuse to take a side and explore both views equally without a conclusion
- Take a clear position, support it with reasoned arguments, and acknowledge the strongest counter-argument before rebutting it (Correct answer)
- Argue both sides in alternate paragraphs without committing to either
- Begin by questioning whether the binary framing is valid, then avoid answering the question
Correct answer: Take a clear position, support it with reasoned arguments, and acknowledge the strongest counter-argument before rebutting it
Examiners reward decisive, well-reasoned positions; acknowledging and rebutting counter-arguments demonstrates intellectual rigor without sacrificing clarity.
LNAT Structuring a Coherent Essay 5
Which of the following is the best strategy for managing time when structuring an LNAT essay in 40 minutes?