- PowerScore Staff
- Posts: 8916
- Joined: Feb 02, 2011
- Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:00 am
#36247
Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14432)
The correct answer choice is (A)
Since this is a Main Point question, you should attempt to form a prephrase before beginning to
assess the answer choices. The main point of this passage, roughly, is to examine two methods for
dating past earthquakes and argue that one of them—lichenometry—has distinct advantages over the
other.
Answer choice (A): This is the correct answer choice. It is consistent with our prephrase, and
repeats almost verbatim the first sentence of the third paragraph, which contains the main point of
the passage.
Answer choice (B): This answer choice contains an exaggeration. There is no evidence that
lichenometry has been proven to be more accurate than any other method of discerning the dates of
past earthquakes. We only know that lichenometry is more accurate than radiocarbon dating.
Answer choice (C): Although the author claims lichenometry to be a superior method, there is no
evidence that most seismologists share the same view. The first paragraph suggests that radiocarbon
dating is a well-established method, and there is no evidence that seismologists have abandoned it
for the sake of its competitor.
Answer choice (D): This answer choice is both exaggerated and inaccurate. First, it would be a
stretch to regard Bull and Brandon’s method as revolutionary. Second, the third paragraph provides
no evidence that lichenometry is particularly easy to apply. On the contrary—it requires “careful site
selection and accurate calibration of lichen growth rates” (lines 51-52).
Answer choice (E): Even though radiocarbon dating is not as reliable as lichenometry, we cannot
consider it “unreliable.” Furthermore, the author never advocated abandoning radiocarbon dating
altogether.
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14432)
The correct answer choice is (A)
Since this is a Main Point question, you should attempt to form a prephrase before beginning to
assess the answer choices. The main point of this passage, roughly, is to examine two methods for
dating past earthquakes and argue that one of them—lichenometry—has distinct advantages over the
other.
Answer choice (A): This is the correct answer choice. It is consistent with our prephrase, and
repeats almost verbatim the first sentence of the third paragraph, which contains the main point of
the passage.
Answer choice (B): This answer choice contains an exaggeration. There is no evidence that
lichenometry has been proven to be more accurate than any other method of discerning the dates of
past earthquakes. We only know that lichenometry is more accurate than radiocarbon dating.
Answer choice (C): Although the author claims lichenometry to be a superior method, there is no
evidence that most seismologists share the same view. The first paragraph suggests that radiocarbon
dating is a well-established method, and there is no evidence that seismologists have abandoned it
for the sake of its competitor.
Answer choice (D): This answer choice is both exaggerated and inaccurate. First, it would be a
stretch to regard Bull and Brandon’s method as revolutionary. Second, the third paragraph provides
no evidence that lichenometry is particularly easy to apply. On the contrary—it requires “careful site
selection and accurate calibration of lichen growth rates” (lines 51-52).
Answer choice (E): Even though radiocarbon dating is not as reliable as lichenometry, we cannot
consider it “unreliable.” Furthermore, the author never advocated abandoning radiocarbon dating
altogether.