PrepTest 126, Section 4, Question 6
Commentator: In many countries the influence of fringe(42 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(9 more words not shown)
- ANew national identities(9 more words not shown)
- BA stable national(11 more words not shown)
- CThe rate of(9 more words not shown)
- DIt is preferable(10 more words not shown)
- EA culture with(16 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
How does an unusual hobby threaten a national identity?
The commentator's grand language amounts to a simple observation: modern culture produces lots of different movements, from fashions to religions. Fine. But those differences needn't destroy what people share. Someone could wear Hello Kitty clothing to a Fourth of July barbecue. The clothing is unusual; the person is still taking part in a national tradition. Or think about an online group devoted to the LSAT. Having that specialized interest doesn't stop its members from sharing a national identity.
What we’re looking for
The conclusion needs a connection the commentator hasn't established: these fringe movements actually threaten existing national identities. For the weaken question, I'd look for a reason they don't. Maybe the different interests can coexist with a shared identity instead of pulling it apart.
Working the answers
- A
We're concerned with the survival of existing identities, not the creation of new ones. Conflict could destroy an old identity and produce a new one afterward. Learning how new identities arise doesn't challenge the commentator's claim that the current ones are threatened.
- BCorrect
A stable national identity is typically made up of many subcultures. That gives us a broader response than simply saying an unusual hobby is harmless: cultural variety can be part of the national identity itself. The existence of more distinct groups is therefore less convincing as evidence that a shared identity is in danger. B needn't prove that every fringe movement is harmless to weaken that inference.
- C
“Change drastically” doesn't even tell us whether cultural change will speed up or slow down. More importantly, it doesn't explain how cultural change relates to national identity. A different future rate leaves the alleged threat unexamined.
- D
Which culture we prefer is a separate question. We could prefer a diverse culture even if it threatened an existing national identity, or dislike it even if it did not. The commentator is predicting a threat, not asking us to choose the most desirable culture.
- E
A solidified identity could create social problems and still be threatened by fringe movements. That might affect whether we'd welcome its disappearance, but it doesn't tell us whether the commentator's prediction is right. We need evidence about the threat, not the desirability of what is threatened.
More Weaken questions
Learn the LSAT our way
Our platform drills Weaken questions at your level and adjusts as you improve.