#1 - Main Point

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=10953)

The correct answer choice is (D)

We already know the Main Point from our analysis above, so this question should be relatively straightforward.

Answer choice (A): This answer choice summarizes the counterargument against New Urbanism. This is not the main point of the passage, as the author clearly sides with the New Urbanists.

Answer choice (B): Although the New Urbanists do believe that suburban sprawl inhibits social interaction, no mention is made of any specific reforms to zoning laws as a solution. In fact, their solution entails an entirely different type of suburban development (smaller neighborhoods).

Answer choice (C): The New Urbanists do not contend that most people prefer living in small urban neighborhoods over the suburbs. This answer choice contains an exaggeration.

Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice, as it provides a summary of the entire passage.

Answer choice (E): This answer choice focuses entirely on the first paragraph of the passage. Furthermore, the New Urbanists never recommended any changes to traffic policies.

[miriamson07]

Hello Powerscore,

I chose B for this question because of the word “small” in answer choice D. I can see that lines 40 to 44 describe “narrow streets, small schools, all within waking distance,” which sounds like a small neighborhood. However, line 39 shows us that this description is about the “public realm,” which I understood to be just one part of the neighborhood. Thus, it doesn’t feel right to assume that the entire neighborhood would be small.

Additionally, I thought B could work because changes in zoning laws would be required for stores, businesses, and schools to be built close together, as described in those same lines 40 to 44.

Could you please help me see how answer choice D would be a better option than answer choice B? Thank you so much.

[Amber Thomas]

Hi miriamson07!

Answer Choice B states: "The New Urbanists hold that suburban sprawl inhibits social interaction among people of diverse economic circumstances, and they advocate specific reforms of zoning laws as a solution to this problem."

They key issues with this answer choice are that a) it focuses too specifically on the concept of "diverse economic circumstances," and b) it places too much emphasis on "advocating specific reforms of zoning laws." The passage does touch on the concept of facilitating greater social interaction between individuals of diverse economic circumstances, but it more broadly focuses on increasing socialization within communities as a whole. Too, while zoning laws are mentioned as a cause of urban sprawl, and something to think critically about, they don't actually advocate for any specific reforms.

Answer Choice D states: "The New Urbanists hold that suburban sprawl has a corrosive effect on community life, and as an alternative they advocate development modeled on small urban neighborhoods."

This covers all the key points of the passage-- suburban sprawl is harmful to communities and social interaction, and their alternative model advocates for smaller scale urban neighborhoods. Since a key aspect of these communities are that they are walkable, we can assume they are at the very least smaller than current suburban communities that require automobiles to commute.

I hope this helps!