Easy LSAT Main Conclusion Questions Practice Questions

Easy LSAT Main Conclusion Questions Practice Questions

Identifying the central claim of an argument is a fundamental skill that appears in approximately 2 to 4 questions per Logical Reasoning section. Success on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) requires more than just reading for gist; it demands a precise understanding of how evidence supports a final point. This guide provides a foundation for tackling Easy LSAT Main Conclusion Questions Practice Questions by breaking down the structural components of arguments.

Concept Explanation

A main conclusion is the primary point that an author intends to prove, supported by all other statements in the stimulus. In the context of LSAT Prep, the conclusion is not necessarily the last sentence of the passage. Instead, it is the statement that receives support from premises but does not itself provide support for any other claim in that specific argument. To find it, you should look for conclusion indicators like "therefore," "thus," or "hence," but be wary of intermediate conclusions—claims that are supported by premises but then serve as support for the ultimate point. A reliable test is the "Why?" test: if you ask why the author believes a statement, the other sentences in the passage should provide the answer. If a statement is used to explain another sentence, it is a premise, not the main conclusion.

Solved Examples

Example 1: The Indicator Method
Stimulus: Since the new highway construction has caused significant traffic delays, the city council should implement a temporary carpool incentive. Such an incentive would reduce the number of vehicles on the road during peak hours.
Question: Which of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the argument?

1. Identify the indicator words: "Since" introduces a premise.
2. Identify the claim being supported: The author argues that the council "should implement a temporary carpool incentive."
3. Check for further support: The final sentence explains why the incentive is good, meaning the final sentence supports the second sentence.
4. Conclusion: The city council should implement a temporary carpool incentive.

Example 2: The "Why" Test
Stimulus: Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health. Improved cardiovascular health leads to a longer life expectancy. Therefore, everyone should engage in at least thirty minutes of physical activity daily.
Question: Which one of the following is the argument's main conclusion?

1. Sentence 1: Fact about health.
2. Sentence 2: Fact about life expectancy.
3. Sentence 3: A recommendation introduced by "therefore."
4. Apply the test: Why should everyone exercise daily? Because it improves health and leads to a longer life. The first two sentences support the third.
5. Conclusion: Everyone should engage in at least thirty minutes of physical activity daily.

Example 3: Counter-Premise Recognition
Stimulus: Some critics argue that the new film is too long. However, the film's pacing is so expert that the three-hour runtime feels much shorter. Thus, the critics' complaints are unjustified.
Question: The main conclusion of the argument is that...

1. Identify the opposing view: Critics say the film is too long.
2. Identify the author's pivot: "However" indicates the author disagrees with the critics.
3. Identify the final takeaway: "Thus" points to the conclusion that the complaints are unjustified.
4. Conclusion: The critics' complaints about the film's length are unjustified.

Practice Questions

1. The university's library needs a larger budget. The current collection of digital journals is outdated, and students have complained that they cannot access the latest research for their theses. Furthermore, a modern library is essential for attracting top-tier faculty members.

2. Most people believe that drinking eight glasses of water a day is necessary for good health. Yet, recent studies by the Mayo Clinic suggest that hydration needs vary significantly based on individual activity levels and climate. Consequently, the "eight glasses" rule is an oversimplification of human biological needs.

3. It is a mistake to think that high-speed rail will solve the region's congestion problems. High-speed rail is incredibly expensive to build, often costing upwards of $100 million per mile. Moreover, similar projects in other regions have failed to significantly reduce car traffic.

4. The local bakery should switch to organic flour. Although organic flour is more expensive, customers have indicated in surveys that they are willing to pay a premium for organic goods. Switching would likely increase the bakery's overall profit margins.

5. Many gardeners use chemical pesticides to keep insects away from their vegetables. However, these chemicals often kill beneficial pollinators like bees. Since bees are necessary for a healthy ecosystem, gardeners should instead use natural pest control methods.

6. The corporate tax rate should not be lowered. A lower tax rate would decrease the government's ability to fund essential infrastructure projects. Additionally, there is no definitive evidence that lower corporate taxes lead to job creation.

7. Some people think that the best way to learn a new language is through software applications. But true fluency requires real-time interaction with native speakers. Therefore, language learners should seek out conversation partners rather than relying solely on apps.

8. The city's decision to remove the downtown parking meters was wise. Since the meters were removed, local businesses have reported a 15% increase in foot traffic. This suggests that free parking encourages more residents to shop locally.

Answers & Explanations

1. The university's library needs a larger budget.
Explanation: The first sentence is the main conclusion. The subsequent sentences provide evidence (outdated journals, student complaints, and faculty recruitment) to support why the budget needs to be increased. If you are preparing for other exams, you might find that GRE Main Idea questions require a similar focus on the primary thesis.

2. The "eight glasses" rule is an oversimplification of human biological needs.
Explanation: The word "consequently" indicates the conclusion. The author uses the Mayo Clinic study to refute the common belief, leading to the final claim that the rule is too simple.

3. It is a mistake to think that high-speed rail will solve the region's congestion problems.
Explanation: The first sentence is the conclusion. The rest of the passage provides two reasons (cost and historical failure in other regions) to support why the rail won't solve the problem.

4. The local bakery should switch to organic flour.
Explanation: The author makes a recommendation in the first sentence. The following sentences provide the justification: customers will pay more and profits will increase.

5. Gardeners should instead use natural pest control methods.
Explanation: The conclusion is the final recommendation. The author argues against chemicals (because they kill bees) and provides a reason why bees are important, all to support the switch to natural methods.

6. The corporate tax rate should not be lowered.
Explanation: The first sentence is the main point. The author provides two premises: the impact on infrastructure funding and the lack of evidence for job creation.

7. Language learners should seek out conversation partners rather than relying solely on apps.
Explanation: The word "therefore" marks the conclusion. The author refutes the software-only approach by arguing that fluency requires interaction.

8. The city's decision to remove the downtown parking meters was wise.
Explanation: The first sentence is the conclusion. The author uses the increase in foot traffic and the shopping habits of residents as evidence to justify the claim that the decision was "wise."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a premise and a conclusion on the LSAT?

A premise is a statement of fact or evidence offered to support a claim, while a conclusion is the claim that the evidence is intended to prove. In LSAT logical reasoning, you can identify premises by asking "What evidence is provided?" and the conclusion by asking "What is the author trying to convince me of?"

Can the main conclusion be a factual statement?

Yes, while many conclusions are recommendations or opinions, a main conclusion can be a factual claim that the author is attempting to establish using other facts. The key is its logical role as the recipient of support, not the subjective nature of the content itself.

How do I distinguish between an intermediate and a main conclusion?

To distinguish between them, look at the relationship between the two claims: the intermediate conclusion will support the main conclusion, but the main conclusion will not support the intermediate one. The main conclusion is the final point that has no further logical arrows pointing away from it.

Are conclusion indicators always present in Easy LSAT questions?

While many easy questions use indicators like "therefore" or "hence," they are not guaranteed. Some arguments rely on a structure where a recommendation is made first, followed by several supporting reasons, requiring you to recognize the logical flow without specific keywords.

What should I do if a stimulus has two conclusions?

If a stimulus appears to have two conclusions, one is likely an intermediate conclusion supporting the other. Apply the "Why" test to both: the one that provides the ultimate justification for the entire passage is the main conclusion.

Is the main conclusion ever unstated?

In "Main Conclusion" specific question types, the conclusion is always stated explicitly in the text. While other question types like "Must Be True" might require you to infer a conclusion, a question asking you to identify the conclusion refers to something written in the stimulus.