MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Question 104: Answer and Explanation

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Test Information

Question: 104

5. Why does the author present the example of the backgammon set in paragraph 5?

  • A. To provide proof of Lenore Doolan's bad temper as the reason for the decline of the couple's relationship
  • B. As a piece of evidence for her claim that objects photographed for the book signal plot turns in the couple's relationship
  • C. To support her point that worthless objects acquire sentimental value when people are in relationships and are therefore invaluable
  • D. To suggest that objects only acquire meaning after they are altered in some form

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

A This is a New Information question.

A: Yes. Paragraph 6 states, "If some leaders are willing to oppose the system, it is crucial that there be no substantial number of followers to which the leaders can appeal. The followers' attitudes, as opposed to their willingness to act themselves, may provide a base of support for antisystem behavior by leaders."

B: No. It would be too large of an inference to take the author's claim that educated Americans are more likely to be tolerant of protest (paragraph 2) to mean their support would be the key to such an insurgent political group's success.

C: No. The correct answer must be supported by the passage text, rather than by common sense or real world experience. The passage says in paragraph 6 that "it is crucial that there be no substantial number of followers to which the leaders can appeal" and that the "followers' attitudes, as opposed to their willingness to act themselves, may provide a base of support for antisystem behavior by leaders." While you might think that campaigning by a loyal following would help create widespread public support for the dissidents, there is no evidence for this in the passage. Compare this answer to choice A, which does have direct support in the passage text.

D: No. The passage gives no evidence, in paragraph 6 or elsewhere, that having a clear party platform would influence the public one way or the other.

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