#8 - Main Point

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=50)

The correct answer choice is (E)

This question stem asks for the Main Point of the passage. If we are to prephrase this answer, the correct choice should likely allude to theories about the LHB and the emphasized need for further exploration.

Answer choice (A): While this answer choice may be consistent with the information in the passage, the main point was not simply to provide a definition of the LHB, so this choice is incorrect.

Answer choice (B): Although the stimulus provides that further evidence is needed to determine the pervasiveness of the LHB, the author never makes the assertion in this choice, so this answer should be eliminated.

Answer choice (C): While it seems that our perspective continues to grow clearer with each new piece of evidence, the author of the passage does not assert that a clear picture will emerge “soon.”

Answer choice (D): This answer choice involves the stimulus’ third theory, discussed at the end of the second paragraph, but this does not reflect the main point of the passage, so this answer choice is incorrect.

Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. Although there has been new evidence uncovered which enables us to develop our understanding of the LHB, further evidence still needs to be gathered, as prephrased above.

[Sdaoud17]

Can you tell me why E is the Answer and Not A ? I feel I totally Misunderstand reading the passage ?

Thank you

[Nikki Siclunov]

(A) is consistent with the passage, but the main point is not simply to provide a definition of the LHB.

(E) is correct, and can be proven by reference to all three paragraphs of the passage, especially the final paragraph. THe author introduces the reader to the concept of LHB (paragraph 1), discusses the theories which deal with differing perspectives on it (paragraph 2), and then introduces evidence to support the notion that LHB was widespread (paragraph 3). The main point has one caveat, namely the need for further evidence to substantiate the theory that LHB extended throughout the solar system. Answer choice (E) provides an ideal summary of this position.

On an entirely unrelated note, I hope you aren't using the December 2006 test as a practice test, because many of the questions in it (including this passage) are scattered throughout your homework for the full-length course. The passage on LHB, for instance, can be found in Lesson 10. When choosing which tests to do for practice, stick with the ones listed in the Online Student Center under Practice Tests.

[Sdaoud17]

Thats Great Thank you

[queenbee]

Hi
I felt like (A) was more comprehensive of the entire passage though it didnt reference the last paragraph. (E) only references the last paragraph. Is there another queue that would help deter A over E?
Thank you

[Luke Haqq]

Hi queenbee!

Happy to address answers (A) and (E) in this question.

First, even if (A) were more comprehensive, that doesn't necessarily mean that it conveys the author's main point. As you note, however, (A) does't get to the final paragraph, so in the end it's not quite comprehensive in describing the passage.

Second, that final paragraph is key. The first paragraph introduces a phenomenon (late heavy bombardment of the moon) and notes its "consequences for the history of Earth" (line 10). The second paragraph presents "[v]arious theoretical approaches" (line 12). The final paragraph uses new evidence to argue for the superiority of one interpretation over the other approaches. Not all reading comprehension passages will contain a clear expression of an argument by the author. This one does, and it's contained in the last paragraph.

Given that we know that the passage contains an argument by the author, this highlights a clear distinction between answer choices (A) and (E). Namely, answer choice (A) is far more descriptive rather than argumentative. It makes a statement, but not one that involves the author's view or interpretation of evidence. Answer choice (E), by contrast, is framed in terms of an argument about new evidence.

Finally, answer choice (E) does ultimately address all the paragraphs. It involves LHB as a phenomenon the consequences of which aren't fully understood (paragraph 1), it refers to "competing theories of the LHB" (paragraph 2), and it refers to new evidence that might favor one theory over the others (paragraph 3).

[lsatstudent99966]

Hi there,

I feel like (D) is unsupported by the passage because (D) talks about small body disintegration that sprays among the inner solar system, but nowhere in the passage is small body disintegration that sprays among the inner solar system mentioned.

Theory 1 in the passage refers to large body disintegration.
Theory 3 in the passage refers to a cataclysm that did not extend throughout the inner solar system, and theory 3 doesn't seem to indicate whether the body disintegrated is big or small.

Could someone please confirm if my understanding is correct? Big thanks!

[Amber Thomas]

Hi lsatstudent99966!

You're absolutely right! Let's break down the three theories that the passage provides:

Theory One: LHB is linked to the disintegration of an asteroid or comet (a large body) that was orbiting the sun, and the debris then peppered the inner solar system.

Theory Two: LHB is a misnomer, and wasn't actually a sharply-defined cataclysmic event. The Moon's evidence just provides a view of the period concluding billions of years of continuous and declining heavy bombardment throughout the inner solar system.

Theory Three: The Moon's evidence supports that LHB was a sharply defined, cataclysmic cratering period with a relatively brief duration, that was caused by the disintegration of a body within the Earth-Moon system.

You're right that hypothetically, one could try to deduce that a body within the earth-moon system could be a smaller body, but we have no evidence to indicate this one way or the other. Your understanding was correct!

I hope this helps!