Logical Reasoning · Main Conclusion

PrepTest 157 · Section 3 · Question 2

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

The writer opens with someone else's rosy view, then pushes back with a 'but.' The pushback is the point; the last sentence is the reason for it.

The basic logic

Find the sentence the rest of the passage supports. Use the Because Test: 'X, because Y.' The claim that follows the contrast word is usually the top bun, and the final sentence is the patty that props it up.

Tiny words that decide it

“but”
“may be”
“as”
“will have to”

Playground logic

Kevin's bottom bun is the counselors' happy plan. His top bun is the 'but': the plan may help the counselors more than the campers. The patty is why: campers do the work and pay the fee.

Step 2 · The kid story

Kevin and the Tent Plan

Kevin bursts into class. "The camp counselors are SO excited. Next summer, every camper gets to pitch their own tent! Like a T. rex building its own nest! Which, by the way, scientists are still arguing about." Priya waits. "And?" "And that sounds great for the counselors, but maybe not so great for us campers. The camp is letting go of the helpers who used to set up tents. So we will do all the work ourselves. And there is a new tent-stake fee. We pay more to work harder!" Priya smiles. "So what is your point, Kevin?" Kevin thinks hard. "My point is: this plan may be better for the counselors than for the campers. The helper stuff and the fee are my reasons." "There it is," says Priya.

Step 3 · Try the model question

The counselors are thrilled that next summer every camper will pitch their own tent. But this plan may be better for the counselors than for the campers. As the camp lets go of its tent helpers, campers will do the work themselves and pay a new tent-stake fee.

Which one of the following best states Kevin's main point?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Self-Serve Car Wash

A car wash owner tells the court, "Our new self-serve bays are a dream for drivers!" Mr. Whitfield rises. "Your Honor, it may be more of a dream for the owner than for the drivers. The owner fired the wash crew. Now drivers scrub their own cars, and the price per wash went up." Judge Okafor taps her pen. "Counselor, the firing and the price. Are those your point?" "No, Your Honor. Those are my reasons. My point is the first thing I said: who the dream really belongs to." The judge nods. "Then I will write that down as your conclusion."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 157, Section 3, Question 2 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Spot the opening view the writer is reporting, then find the contrast word that turns against it. Test the claim after that word with 'this is true because...' using the last sentence. If it fits, that is your conclusion. Pick the choice that restates it at the same strength, keeping any hedge words. Reject choices that restate the opening view, repeat a reason, or stretch the claim into something broader.