LSAT Main Point and Primary Purpose 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage devoted entirely to explaining why a widely accepted historical interpretation is flawed has a primary purpose best described as:
- To recount the events of a historical period
- To challenge and undermine an established historical interpretation (Correct answer)
- To compare two competing schools of historical thought
- To celebrate the achievements of historical scholars
Correct answer: To challenge and undermine an established historical interpretation
A passage that devotes itself to exposing flaws in an accepted interpretation has as its primary purpose the challenging of that interpretation.
Question 2: The LSAT often tests whether test-takers can distinguish between what an argument SAYS and what it is TRYING TO ESTABLISH. The 'main point' refers to:
- Everything stated in the argument
- The specific claim the argument is designed to prove or support (Correct answer)
- The most detailed factual statement in the argument
- The implicit assumption underlying the argument
Correct answer: The specific claim the argument is designed to prove or support
The main point is the conclusion—the specific claim the argument's reasoning is constructed to establish—not all statements made or hidden assumptions.
Question 3: An author writes: 'Critics argue that social media harms democracy. While some concerns are valid, social media also enables unprecedented civic engagement and grassroots organizing.' The primary purpose of this passage is most likely to:
- Argue that social media has no effect on democracy
- Present a balanced view acknowledging both harms and benefits of social media to democracy (Correct answer)
- Refute all criticisms of social media's effect on democracy
- Argue that civic engagement is declining in modern democracies
Correct answer: Present a balanced view acknowledging both harms and benefits of social media to democracy
The author concedes some validity to criticisms but counters with benefits, indicating the primary purpose is to present a nuanced, balanced assessment.
Question 4: Which of the following answer choices is most likely WRONG on a Main Point question?
- An answer that paraphrases the conclusion using different words
- An answer that accurately restates a premise from the argument (Correct answer)
- An answer that captures the overall takeaway of the passage
- An answer that identifies the claim all other statements support
Correct answer: An answer that accurately restates a premise from the argument
Restating a premise is a classic wrong-answer trap on Main Point questions, as premises support the conclusion rather than constituting it.
Question 5: A passage argues: 'Animal agriculture is the leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Since climate change poses an existential threat, individuals who care about the planet should reduce their consumption of animal products.' The main point is:
- Animal agriculture contributes to greenhouse gas emissions
- Climate change is an existential threat to humanity
- People concerned about climate change should reduce animal product consumption (Correct answer)
- Greenhouse gases are the primary driver of global temperature increases
Correct answer: People concerned about climate change should reduce animal product consumption
The recommendation—that individuals should reduce animal product consumption—is the conclusion the premises are structured to support.
Question 6: On the LSAT, a passage's primary purpose differs from its main point in that:
- They are always identical and interchangeable
- The primary purpose describes the author's goal or intent (e.g., 'to argue,' 'to explain'), while the main point states the specific content of the conclusion (Correct answer)
- The primary purpose appears in the final paragraph while the main point appears in the introduction
- The primary purpose is only relevant for Logical Reasoning, not Reading Comprehension
Correct answer: The primary purpose describes the author's goal or intent (e.g., 'to argue,' 'to explain'), while the main point states the specific content of the conclusion
Primary purpose questions ask about the author's intent using verb phrases (to argue, to analyze), while main point questions ask for the specific claim the passage establishes.
Question 7: A stimulus presents two premises and a conclusion. A test-taker correctly identifies the conclusion but writes it in a way that is much broader than what the premises actually support. This answer would be:
- Correct, since the conclusion was identified
- Incorrect, because the main point must accurately reflect the scope of what the premises establish (Correct answer)
- Correct, because broader conclusions are preferred on the LSAT
- Irrelevant, since LSAT main point answers are always paraphrases
Correct answer: Incorrect, because the main point must accurately reflect the scope of what the premises establish
A main point answer that overstates the scope of the conclusion is wrong because it misrepresents what the premises actually prove.
LSAT Main Point and Primary Purpose 5
A passage devoted entirely to explaining why a widely accepted historical interpretation is flawed has a primary purpose best described as: