PrepTest 141, Section 3, Question 21
It is generally believed that while in some(434 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(9 more words not shown)
- AIn general, whether(22 more words not shown)
- BDecisions about government(26 more words not shown)
- CThough laypeople may(20 more words not shown)
- DPublic-policy decisions related(24 more words not shown)
- EPeople who make(23 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
We've already predicted the recommendation: government should look beyond the voluntary label and decide how to protect lives. The ending makes the default more precise—save as many lives as possible within resource limits, and give specific reasons for exceptions.
What we’re looking for
We want that policy conclusion. The examples about how people label risks explain the need for it; they are not the whole main point.
Working the answers
- A
Approval of an activity's purpose is one explanation for people's judgments, developed through skydivers and firefighters. This supporting point leaves out the recommendation for government decisions.
- BCorrect
This captures the principal decision rule: focus on how many lives can be saved rather than treating voluntariness as decisive. Primarily also leaves room for the specific considerations that can justify departures from the default rule.
- C
The author does not propose handing experts the job of deciding which risks are voluntary. The problem is relying on that classification, not merely choosing better people to make it.
- D
Difficulty distinguishing risks helps motivate the criticism, but the author goes further and proposes how decisions should be made. This stops at the problem and misses the recommendation.
- E
The author discusses confused or selective judgments about risk. The conclusion is not a claim about people's general ignorance of others' motivations; it is a proposal for sounder policy.
More Main Point questions
Learn the LSAT our way
Our platform drills Main Point questions at your level and adjusts as you improve.