PrepTest 102, Section 1, Question 21
Even in the midst of its resurgence as(435 more words not shown)
In the passage, the author(10 more words not shown)
- Aidentifying an assumption(17 more words not shown)
- Barguing that the(24 more words not shown)
- Cquestioning the belief(20 more words not shown)
- Dshowing how the(16 more words not shown)
- Eproposing an explanation(23 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
We already predicted that the sociologists have gone too far in treating stronger intertribalism as the disappearance of tribal culture. Here we're being asked what the writer is doing overall: challenging that prediction and defending the continued strength of tribal identity.
What we’re looking for
That's the direction to look for. The correct choice may emphasize a different part of the response than we did.
Working the answers
- A
This describes part of paragraph 3, then expands it into an attack on various theories. The focus is the Pan-Indian theory. Also, finding no evidence for an assumption doesn't by itself prove the assumption false.
- B
The writer agrees that intertribalism is strong. Paragraph 2 calls the evidence of its growth “compelling.” Reviving tribal traditions show that the two can coexist, not that intertribalism is weak.
- CCorrect
This emphasizes intertribalism more than our prediction did, but it captures the response at the end: intertribal activities protect Native American identity against outside influences. That gives the writer a reason to question the opening prediction of complete assimilation into Euroamerican society.
We may have focused on the survival of individual tribes. C focuses on the broader identity's protective role. Both belong to the response, so C doesn't have to repeat our preferred wording to be right.
- D
The writer doesn't describe a deliberate campaign to fight intertribalism. The two forms of activity serve different, compatible purposes; one isn't presented as an effort to defeat the other.
- E
This is the theory under attack. The sociologists predict dissolution and assimilation; the writer explains why that prediction misses the continuing strength of tribal culture.
More Main Point questions
Learn the LSAT our way
Our platform drills Main Point questions at your level and adjusts as you improve.