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- Thu Oct 26, 2017 11:22 am
#40953
Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14445)
The correct answer choice is (B)
This question specifically refers to the primary purpose of the third paragraph. Recall that the third paragraph begins by outlining the argument that even if custom-made depictions are technically accurate, they can still distort the issues. The author’s counterargument consists of three premises, namely, that custom-made medical illustrations are designed to: (1) be objectively accurate; (2) avoid inflammatory potential; and (3) contain only information relevant to the particular case. In short, the primary purpose of the third paragraph is to reply to the objection that even technically accurate custom-made medical illustrations can be deceiving. Note that this objection is a slightly different variant on the complaint made in the second paragraph, which claims that custom-made illustrations are factually deceptive.
Specific Reference/Purpose questions test your ability to describe not only the purpose of the element referenced in the question itself, but also its overall function in the passage. It would be a mistake to focus only on the third paragraph when answering this question—make sure you understand how it relates to the rest of the passage.
Answer choice (A): Although the overall purpose of the passage may be to argue for a greater use of custom-made medical illustrations in personal injury cases, this is not the primary purpose of the third paragraph. If anything, answer choice (A) better describes the purpose of the fourth paragraph of the passage, not the third.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. The third paragraph addresses (and rejects) the allegation that even technically accurate illustrations can still subtly distort the issues (lines 30-33). This is a variant of the objection raised in the second paragraph, namely, that custom-made medical illustrations often misrepresent the facts (lines 17-18). Answer choice (B) agrees with our prephrase and is therefore correct.
Answer choice (C): At first, this may seem like an attractive answer. Without doubt, the author is not convinced that illustrations from medical textbooks are well suited for use in the courtroom, given that they often contain extensive and confusing details (lines 36-46). This, however, is not the primary purpose of the third paragraph; it is a secondary point supporting the argument that custom-made medical illustrations are objectively accurate and valuable as evidence in the courtroom.
Answer choice (D): Although the third paragraph begins by outlining a possible objection to the use of custom-made medical illustrations, its primary purpose is not to discuss why they are controversial, but rather to respond to one particular objection to their use.
Answer choice (E): While the third paragraph compares custom-made illustrations to illustrations from medical textbooks, the author’s primary purpose is not simply to describe how they are different, but rather to convince the reader that custom-made illustrations are not deceptive and therefore superior.
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14445)
The correct answer choice is (B)
This question specifically refers to the primary purpose of the third paragraph. Recall that the third paragraph begins by outlining the argument that even if custom-made depictions are technically accurate, they can still distort the issues. The author’s counterargument consists of three premises, namely, that custom-made medical illustrations are designed to: (1) be objectively accurate; (2) avoid inflammatory potential; and (3) contain only information relevant to the particular case. In short, the primary purpose of the third paragraph is to reply to the objection that even technically accurate custom-made medical illustrations can be deceiving. Note that this objection is a slightly different variant on the complaint made in the second paragraph, which claims that custom-made illustrations are factually deceptive.
Specific Reference/Purpose questions test your ability to describe not only the purpose of the element referenced in the question itself, but also its overall function in the passage. It would be a mistake to focus only on the third paragraph when answering this question—make sure you understand how it relates to the rest of the passage.
Answer choice (A): Although the overall purpose of the passage may be to argue for a greater use of custom-made medical illustrations in personal injury cases, this is not the primary purpose of the third paragraph. If anything, answer choice (A) better describes the purpose of the fourth paragraph of the passage, not the third.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. The third paragraph addresses (and rejects) the allegation that even technically accurate illustrations can still subtly distort the issues (lines 30-33). This is a variant of the objection raised in the second paragraph, namely, that custom-made medical illustrations often misrepresent the facts (lines 17-18). Answer choice (B) agrees with our prephrase and is therefore correct.
Answer choice (C): At first, this may seem like an attractive answer. Without doubt, the author is not convinced that illustrations from medical textbooks are well suited for use in the courtroom, given that they often contain extensive and confusing details (lines 36-46). This, however, is not the primary purpose of the third paragraph; it is a secondary point supporting the argument that custom-made medical illustrations are objectively accurate and valuable as evidence in the courtroom.
Answer choice (D): Although the third paragraph begins by outlining a possible objection to the use of custom-made medical illustrations, its primary purpose is not to discuss why they are controversial, but rather to respond to one particular objection to their use.
Answer choice (E): While the third paragraph compares custom-made illustrations to illustrations from medical textbooks, the author’s primary purpose is not simply to describe how they are different, but rather to convince the reader that custom-made illustrations are not deceptive and therefore superior.