Answers "A" and "C" seem very similar. In "A" the final paragraph offers an example to supplement the second paragraph's hypothesis. In "C" the final paragraph qualifies the second paragraph's claim. Please describe why "C" is the best answer.

This is a "role" or "function" question. These questions have a lot in common with the "Function" questions you'll see in the LR section.

Like the "Function" questions in the LR section, you've got to watch out for answer choices that make multiple claims.

In this case, answer choice "A" makes three claims:

1. Paragraph 2 proposes a hypothesis.

2. The last paragraph proposes a supporting example.

3. The example in the last paragraph is used to support the hypothesis in paragraph 2.

Let's look at the first claim:

Does paragraph 2 contain a hypothesis? The answer is "no". If you read through it again, you'll see that a claim is made. A hypothesis will not be presented as settled fact. It will include some indication that the theory/explanation proposed in the hypothesis has yet to be fully proven.

When we break apart choice "C" in the same way, we get:

1. Paragraph 2 makes a claim.

2. The last paragraph contains a qualifying statement.

3. The statement in the last paragraph qualifies the claim in the second.


We already decided that paragraph 2 does contain a claim. What about the other two parts?

Well, the line "It must be stressed, though, that there are limits to..." is the start of a "qualifying statement". And that statement does indeed qualify the claim made in paragraph two.


Hope this helps.


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I chose answer C but the word "qualifies" in its context is very misleading and ambiguously defined.

Jake,

You'll see this pretty often on the LSAT. The LSAT's creators will intentionally use an ambiguous word, or one for which there is an obvious, better-suited substitute. This is a way for them to make the test more difficult, and you'll see it most often in the RC section.

When you run into this situation, you'll have to look for the least worst answer choice.