PrepTest 123, Section 1, Question 21
Although philanthropy—the volunteering of private resources for humanitarian(426 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(8 more words not shown)
- AWhile the motives(20 more words not shown)
- BPhilanthropy, inadequate to(19 more words not shown)
- CThe practice of(21 more words not shown)
- DAlthough modern commentators(22 more words not shown)
- EVictorian philanthropists, aware(15 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
We've already predicted the main point: the criticisms of Victorian philanthropy go too far. We're looking for some version of that idea, even if the answer uses more abstract language.
What we’re looking for
Keep the response concrete. The writer challenges the assumption that later state-managed charity makes Victorian philanthropy inferior, then reminds us that the philanthropists understood potential problems with state charity and contributed real resources. This is a defense against an unfair historical interpretation, not proof that the donors were perfect.
Working the answers
- A
The discussion does report criticism of the donors' motives. But “successfully dealt with the social ills” turns a defense against unfair criticism into a claim that philanthropy solved England's social problems. Donating money, careers, and lives doesn't establish that larger claim, so this overstates the main idea.
- B
The contrast between private and state-sponsored charity matters, but this turns the discussion into a history of one replacing the other. The central task is to assess whether the modern criticisms give a fair picture of Victorian philanthropy. This misses that response.
- C
The Whig fallacy is important, but the claim about revisionist views of “many institutions” isn't supported. We examine this bias to reassess Victorian philanthropy, not to make a historical claim about a range of institutions.
- DCorrect
The first two paragraphs give the criticisms—inadequacy and self-interest—and the last two challenge their historical assumptions. The writer calls the resulting picture patronizing and points to what it overlooks. That matches a theoretical bias producing an incorrect interpretation of history.
- E
No devious methods for concealing motives are described. The ending acknowledges possible condescension while crediting actual contributions, rather than exposing a scheme to hide self-interest.
More Main Point questions
Learn the LSAT our way
Our platform drills Main Point questions at your level and adjusts as you improve.