- PowerScore Staff
- Posts: 8950
- Joined: Feb 02, 2011
- Wed Apr 24, 2019 5:18 pm
#64387
Complete Question Explanation
Must be true. The correct answer choice is (A)
Unlike many Must Be True and Most Strongly Supported question stimuli, this stimulus contains an
argument. The conclusion is in the second sentence: “the primary function of law is surely to help
order society so that its institutions, organizations, and citizenry can work together harmoniously,
regardless of any further moral aims of the law.” The stimulus also begins with the “Some argue
that...” construction, and as usual, is followed by a conclusion that argues against the position
established in the first sentence (see “A Commonly Used Construction” in Chapter Two if this
sounds unfamiliar). The last sentence is a premise that proves to be key for choosing the correct
answer.
Answer choice (A): This correct answer is largely a paraphrase of the last sentence.
Answer choice (B): While the author certainly agrees with the first part of the sentence, in the
second part the phrase “devoid of moral aims” is too strong to be supported by the information in
the stimulus. The last sentence indicates that morality has some effect on the law and invalidates the
“devoid” claim.
Answer choice (C): This is an Exaggerated answer. Although the last sentence indicates that
religious faith has been grounds for making exceptions in the application of law, the stimulus does
not indicate that actions based on religious or moral belief tend to receive the protection of the
highest courts.
Answer choice (D): The author indicates that the “primary function” of law is to help order society;
the author does not indicate that this is the one and only function of law. The answer choice
overstates the case by saying that a society ordered by law should not reflect any moral convictions
about the ordering.
Answer choice (E): No mention is made of the “best way” to promote cooperation, only that the
primary function of law is to promote such cooperation.
Must be true. The correct answer choice is (A)
Unlike many Must Be True and Most Strongly Supported question stimuli, this stimulus contains an
argument. The conclusion is in the second sentence: “the primary function of law is surely to help
order society so that its institutions, organizations, and citizenry can work together harmoniously,
regardless of any further moral aims of the law.” The stimulus also begins with the “Some argue
that...” construction, and as usual, is followed by a conclusion that argues against the position
established in the first sentence (see “A Commonly Used Construction” in Chapter Two if this
sounds unfamiliar). The last sentence is a premise that proves to be key for choosing the correct
answer.
Answer choice (A): This correct answer is largely a paraphrase of the last sentence.
Answer choice (B): While the author certainly agrees with the first part of the sentence, in the
second part the phrase “devoid of moral aims” is too strong to be supported by the information in
the stimulus. The last sentence indicates that morality has some effect on the law and invalidates the
“devoid” claim.
Answer choice (C): This is an Exaggerated answer. Although the last sentence indicates that
religious faith has been grounds for making exceptions in the application of law, the stimulus does
not indicate that actions based on religious or moral belief tend to receive the protection of the
highest courts.
Answer choice (D): The author indicates that the “primary function” of law is to help order society;
the author does not indicate that this is the one and only function of law. The answer choice
overstates the case by saying that a society ordered by law should not reflect any moral convictions
about the ordering.
Answer choice (E): No mention is made of the “best way” to promote cooperation, only that the
primary function of law is to promote such cooperation.