PrepTest 108, Section 1, Question 22
What it means to "explain" something in science(447 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(8 more words not shown)
- AAlthough scientists must(26 more words not shown)
- BThe acquisition of(25 more words not shown)
- CIf science is(31 more words not shown)
- DIn order to(25 more words not shown)
- EWithout the debates(28 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
Our first main-point prediction was that mathematics is a kind of language used to describe the world. That's a start, but it leaves out what the writer wants scientists to do. The ending asks them to investigate the relationship between mathematical descriptions and the world they describe.
What we’re looking for
We're looking for that fuller idea, even if the answer doesn't use our wording.
Working the answers
- A
This separates mathematics and language into two tools, while the discussion treats mathematics as a kind of language. More importantly, calling both imperfect doesn't capture the final call to investigate how mathematical statements contribute to scientific knowledge.
- B
Scientists' acceptance of mathematical explanations matters in paragraph 3. But this adds a comparison of their precision and an acknowledgment that all mathematics is inexact. That isn't the central claim.
- C
Nobody tells scientists to stop pursuing new knowledge. Asking them to examine how mathematical explanations work isn't a recommendation to suspend their research.
- DCorrect
This brings the argument together: linguists are investigating language's relationship to the world, and scientists should ask the corresponding question about mathematics. The final paragraph calls that investigation “equally necessary” and says it hasn't been significantly addressed in science. This captures the destination that our first prediction missed.
- E
The writer doesn't say scientists needed the linguistic debate before they could begin exploring mathematics' role in science. The opening already takes that role for granted; the ending identifies a particular question that still needs attention.
More Main Point questions
Learn the LSAT our way
Our platform drills Main Point questions at your level and adjusts as you improve.