PrepTest 118, Section 4, Question 1
Mayor McKinney's policies have often been criticized on(67 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(9 more words not shown)
- AIt is impossible(19 more words not shown)
- BMcKinney's policies have(9 more words not shown)
- CThe decrease in(14 more words not shown)
- DThe criticism that(8 more words not shown)
- EMcKinney's efforts helped(11 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Has McKinney actually helped anyone who isn't wealthy? That's what would settle this criticism.
The passage starts by reporting that the mayor has been criticized. We can accept that the criticism exists without accepting that it's fair. The author takes the next step and says it isn't fair. Now I want to see the support.
Some of McKinney's policies have benefited less affluent residents. If we accept that, the claim that his policies benefit only wealthy residents cannot be right. “Only” leaves no room for anyone else to benefit. We don't need to show that every policy helps poorer residents, or that the mayor cares equally about everyone.
The property-tax example develops that support: the decrease encouraged development, which helps with the housing shortage and stabilizes rents. The author uses those effects to illustrate a benefit reaching less affluent residents.
What we’re looking for
We're asked for the main conclusion. Work back up from the example: why tell us about taxes, development, and rents? To defend the mayor against the criticism. The answer should say that describing McKinney's policies as benefiting only the wealthy is unfair.
Working the answers
- A
We aren't told that the mayor's priorities are impossible to determine. The author makes a definite judgment about a particular criticism: it is unfair. Whether McKinney is more committed to one group than another is also different from whether anyone outside the wealthy group benefits.
- B
This is the criticism the author responds to. It establishes what people have said about the mayor, but leaves out the author's response. The conclusion is that those critics are wrong to say the benefits go only to wealthy residents.
- C
The development is one link in the supporting example. Lower taxes led to more development, which helped with housing and rents. That gives the author a reason to reject the criticism; it isn't the point the example is meant to establish.
- DCorrect
This captures the author's judgment that the criticism is unfair. Some policies benefit less affluent residents, so it is unjustified to say that McKinney's policies benefit only the wealthy. The housing example supports that judgment.
- E
These housing benefits are part of the support for the conclusion. Ask why the author mentions them: they help show that the mayor's policies don't benefit only wealthy people. The broader response to the criticism is the main point.
More Role/Main Point questions
Learn the LSAT our way
Our platform drills Role/Main Point questions at your level and adjusts as you improve.