- PowerScore Staff
- Posts: 1358
- Joined: Dec 15, 2011
- Thu Sep 01, 2022 5:47 pm
#96966
Hi Sarah,
The main issue with answer choice (D) is that it doesn't encompass the whole passage or the "why" of the passage. The goal of the main point question is to pick the answer choice that reflects the overall conclusion of the passage combined with the purpose of the passage. The "why" is critical here. What is the purpose of this passage? It's broader than answer choice (D) would have us believe. The author here is writing it in order to question the reliability of jailhouse testimony on convictions---it's in the context of criminal trials. That's the reason we care that the testimony is unreliable. Answer choice (D) is pretty narrow to the 4th paragraph of the passage and doesn't explain the "why" of the passage.
Hope that helps!
The main issue with answer choice (D) is that it doesn't encompass the whole passage or the "why" of the passage. The goal of the main point question is to pick the answer choice that reflects the overall conclusion of the passage combined with the purpose of the passage. The "why" is critical here. What is the purpose of this passage? It's broader than answer choice (D) would have us believe. The author here is writing it in order to question the reliability of jailhouse testimony on convictions---it's in the context of criminal trials. That's the reason we care that the testimony is unreliable. Answer choice (D) is pretty narrow to the 4th paragraph of the passage and doesn't explain the "why" of the passage.
Hope that helps!