RC Question 5 Explanation, by LSATHacks
QUESTION TEXT: The passage provides information that is most…
DISCUSSION: On this type of question, you should actually be able to point to a specific line that helps answer the question. If you can’t, you’re probably guessing.
___________
- CORRECT. Lines 50-52 go into more detail about this. Legal video records allow the Kayapo to have legally binding records of their transactions with the Brazilian government.
It’s implied that these records will help hold the Brazilian government to its agreements. That’s what binding means. - We don’t know. The passage doesn’t say where the term comes from.
- This would be a long list. There are a lot of indigenous cultures. Who knows how many have not yet adopted video. This certainly isn’t in the passage.
- Line 35 mentions western objects dating back to the 15th century. But the passage doesn’t say which objects.
- Lines 6-8 say inexpensive video equipment is available, but the passage doesn’t say why. I expect the answer would be complicated and have to do with technical development, efficient resource extraction, industrial methods, and global shipping.
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I took pretty big issue to how the LSAC asked #5 on this passage. The question specifically ask which answer the passage would be “most helpful” to answer. With this in mind, I don’t really see how A makes a whole lot of sense. The passage mentions, almost in passing it seems like, that the Kayapo use video technology for legal record. However, it does not really go too in depth regarding why they use it to do so, instead of regular good-old fashion clerical work. I am just being a stickler here? or did this question seem a bit poor to you?
The question isn’t asking: which of these answers is most central to the passage. It’s instead asking “what can we answer, based on the passage”. We can clearly answer the question in A, as you did in your comment. Whether you think it central or not doesn’t change the fact that we CAN answer the question. So, this question type is not at all a main point question.
Note: This is an old comment but I wanted to clarify the point.
Still struggling with this one – it seems like the correct answer (A) is circular:
Q: Why do the Kayapo use video technology to create legal records?
A: To create legal records.
They use video technology to create legal records in order to create legal records? If the answer choice were phrased, “Why do the Kayapo use video technology to document transactions with government representatives?” (Answer: to create a legal record of the transaction) then I could get on board.
In lines 47-52, the passage mentions that the Kayapo are primarily and oral society – so videotaping transactions with the government is actually a better fit culturally than a written documentation. Great question! I hope this clarifies what’s going on.
-Reply from LSAT Tutor, Morgan Barrett
I would like to say thank you, I take the LSAT on this upcoming Monday, and your review of the questions have allowed me the assistance I needed with the why something is right or why something is wrong. I am still struggling with RC, but I have a couple days to allow it to sink in more. Thank you again, Danah