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- Sat Jul 01, 2017 10:23 am
#36701
Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14600)
The correct answer choice is (D)
This question asks test takers to identify the main point of the passage. As discussed above, test takers
can expect the correct answer choice to include these elements: there are harms/risks associated with oil
well drilling and these risks will continue to exist until more appropriate regulations are put into effect
based on a greater body of scientific knowledge (rather than on hindsight).
Answer choice (A): This answer choice suggests that hindsight is necessary primarily to realize that
groundwater contamination is undesirable and inevitable. This inappropriate focus and the total absence
of any discussion of scientific knowledge or regulation can be used to quickly classify this as a Loser.
Answer choice (B): In typical LSAT fashion, this answer choice highlights the tendency of many readers
to overemphasize the importance of recent information. While the information is technically accurate
and properly summarized, it is important not to confuse a specific example with the primary point.
Answer choice (C): This answer choice suggests that regulation writers are the primary focus of the
passage when, in fact, this group is never mentioned at all. Although the passage makes numerous
references to regulations, it does not ever refer to the people who write these regulations.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. It clearly links the environmental risk of
oil well drilling with hindsight and less-than-sufficient scientific information, and appropriately
demonstrates that this is a continuing problem.
Answer choice (E): Much like answer choice (B), this answer choice asserts that a specific example
offered in support of the conclusion is the conclusion itself. Remember that the correct answer to a main
point question must contain all of the critical elements of a passage and their proper relationship to one
another.
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14600)
The correct answer choice is (D)
This question asks test takers to identify the main point of the passage. As discussed above, test takers
can expect the correct answer choice to include these elements: there are harms/risks associated with oil
well drilling and these risks will continue to exist until more appropriate regulations are put into effect
based on a greater body of scientific knowledge (rather than on hindsight).
Answer choice (A): This answer choice suggests that hindsight is necessary primarily to realize that
groundwater contamination is undesirable and inevitable. This inappropriate focus and the total absence
of any discussion of scientific knowledge or regulation can be used to quickly classify this as a Loser.
Answer choice (B): In typical LSAT fashion, this answer choice highlights the tendency of many readers
to overemphasize the importance of recent information. While the information is technically accurate
and properly summarized, it is important not to confuse a specific example with the primary point.
Answer choice (C): This answer choice suggests that regulation writers are the primary focus of the
passage when, in fact, this group is never mentioned at all. Although the passage makes numerous
references to regulations, it does not ever refer to the people who write these regulations.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. It clearly links the environmental risk of
oil well drilling with hindsight and less-than-sufficient scientific information, and appropriately
demonstrates that this is a continuing problem.
Answer choice (E): Much like answer choice (B), this answer choice asserts that a specific example
offered in support of the conclusion is the conclusion itself. Remember that the correct answer to a main
point question must contain all of the critical elements of a passage and their proper relationship to one
another.