Main Point Question Problem Set & Answer Key

Each of the following questions is drawn from an actual LSAT. Please complete each problem and then review the answer key and explanations.

1. Last month OCF, Inc., announced what it described
as a unique new product: an adjustable computer
workstation. Three days later ErgoTech unveiled an
almost identical product. The two companies claim
that the similarities are coincidental and occurred
because the designers independently reached the
same solution to the same problem. The similarities
are too fundamental to be mere coincidence,
however. The two products not only look alike, but
they also work alike. Both are oddly shaped with
identically placed control panels with the same types
of controls. Both allow the same types of adjustments
and the same types of optional enhancements.
The main point of the argument is that
(A) the two products have many characteristics in
common
(B) ErgoTech must have copied the design of its
new product from OCF’s design
(C) the similarities between the two products are
not coincidental
(D) product designers sometimes reach the same
solution to a given problem without
consulting each other
(E) new products that at first appear to be unique
are sometimes simply variations of other
products
2. Prediction, the hallmark of natural sciences, appears
to have been possible by reducing phenomena to
mathematical expressions. Some social scientists also
want the power to predict accurately and assume they
ought to perform the same reduction. But this would
be a mistake; it would neglect data that are not easily
mathematized and thereby would only distort the
social phenomena.
Which one of the following most accurately
expresses the main conclusion of the argument?
(A) The social sciences do not have as much
predictive power as the natural sciences.
(B) Mathematics plays a more important role in the
natural sciences than it does in the social
sciences.
(C) There is a need in the social sciences to
improve the ability to predict.
(D) Phenomena in the social sciences should not be
reduced to mathematical formulas.
(E) Prediction is responsible for the success of the
natural sciences.
Main Point Problem Set Answer Key
All answer keys in this book indicate the source of the question by giving the month and year the LSAT
was originally administered, the Logical Reasoning section number, and the question number within that
section. Each LSAT has two Logical Reasoning sections, so the Section #1 and Section #2 designators
will refer to the first or second Logical Reasoning section in the test, not the physical section number of the
booklet.
Question #1. MP. October 2002 LSAT, Section #1, #2. The correct answer choice is (C)
Like the majority of Main Point question stimuli, the argument does not contain a traditional conclusion
indicator. Thus, you must look at the pieces of the argument in order to determine the point the author is
making. In this case, the conclusion is “The similarities are too fundamental to be mere coincidence.” Use
the Conclusion Identification Methodology to help establish that point if you are unsure. The argument
uses the fact that the two workstations are similar and were released in the same timespan to assume that
the similarity is not caused by coincidence.
Answer choice (A): This is a repeat of a premise of the argument, not the main point. As mentioned in the
discussion, in Main Point questions you should expect to see incorrect answers that repeat premises from
the argument.
Answer choice (B): The statement does not pass the Fact Test. The scenario could be reversed: OCF could
have copied Ergotech. Regardless, this is not the main point.
Answer choice (C): This correct answer is a paraphrase of the conclusion.
Answer choice (D): This would undermine the argument and thus it cannot be the main point.
Answer choice (E): Although the author would likely agree with this statement, this does not capture the
main point, which addresses the two named products.
Question #2. MP. December 2003 LSAT, Section #2, #10. The correct answer choice is (D)
Like the previous problem, the conclusion is in the middle of the argument and is not prefaced by a
conclusion indicator. Get used to seeing this format on Main Point questions! The author states that
prediction has been made possible by reducing phenomena to mathematical expressions and that some
social scientists want to have this same power. The author argues that it would be a mistake to allow social
scientists to have this ability. The conclusion, therefore, is “But this would be a mistake.”
Answer choice (A): The author says, “some social scientists also want the power to predict accurately,” so
the author would likely agree with this statement. Regardless, this is not the main point of the argument.
Again, be careful with answers that are true according to the author—do they also address the main point?
Answer choice (B): The author might very well agree with this statement, although there is not enough
information to assert that this statement is true based on the stimulus (the words “more important” are a bit
strong). Regardless, this answer choice does not address the main point of the argument and is therefore Answer choice (C): While the social scientists may believe this is true, the author’s point is a different
one—that social scientists ought not perform a mathematical reduction. And, because the author believes
that prediction is apparently made possible by reducing phenomena to mathematical expressions, the
author would likely disagree with this statement.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer. The conclusion states that it would be a mistake for social
scientists to have the ability to reduce phenomena to mathematical expressions. Answer choice (D) is a
paraphrase of that idea.
Answer choice (E): This point is not addressed in the stimulus.