Logical Reasoning · Main Conclusion

PrepTest 142 · Section 1 · Question 13

Phase 1 (your first ~400 questions): read the guidance, then answer. No clock.

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Main Conclusion

The one idea it tests

Find the claim the other sentences are working for. A 'need to' recommendation is often the boss.

The basic logic

Use the 'why?' test. Ask which sentence the others answer 'why?' for. A general claim and an example usually serve as helpers.

Tiny words that decide it

“need to”
“for example”
“much easier”

Playground logic

Kevin's point (finally!): to win votes for his dinosaur club, he must show it helps the whole class. Why? Because that makes kids say yes, as with Pizza Friday. The 'must' is the top bun; the rest is patty.

Step 2 · The kid story

What's Your Point, Kevin?

Kevin wanted the class to vote for his Dinosaur Club. He started talking. "So T. rex had tiny arms, and also pineapple pizza is great, and anyway, here's my point: if I want votes, I have to show the club helps the WHOLE class." Frankie asked, "Why?" "Because when kids think something helps everybody, they say yes. Remember Pizza Friday? Everyone voted for it, since everyone eats pizza. But the Chess Club for three kids got two votes." Priya nodded. "So your main point is the 'I have to show it helps everyone' part. The pizza stuff is the reason." Lulu wrote on her clipboard: "Top bun: must show it helps everyone. Patty: kids say yes to stuff for everybody, plus the pizza example." Kevin beamed. "I had a point!"

Step 3 · Try the model question

To win votes for his club, Kevin must convince his classmates that the club helps the whole class. When students believe something helps everyone, they are quick to approve it. Pizza Friday passed easily because everyone eats lunch, while a club serving only three students got two votes.

Which one of the following best states the main point Kevin is making?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Park Bench Petition

A neighborhood group asked a judge to stop the city from removing their petition table. Their lawyer rambled about pigeons, parades and paint colors. The judge sighed. "Counsel, what is your point?" Mr. Whitfield, seated beside him, whispered, "Lead with the 'must.'" The lawyer straightened. "Your Honor: to get this park renovated, the group must show the whole town benefits. People sign petitions for things that help everyone. The new library got thousands of signatures; a private dog run got twelve." The judge smiled. "Now I see. The 'must' is your claim, and the library is your example." She allowed the table to stay.

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 142, Section 1, Question 13 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Read every sentence and mark which one gives advice or a requirement for the group in question. Then run the 'why?' test: do the other sentences explain why that requirement holds? A sentence about what makes people receptive and a comparison example are supporting pieces. Choose the answer that restates the requirement itself, not a premise, not the example, and not a new comparison the passage never draws.