Q1

[irene122]

I understand why BCDE are incorrect but I am confused by A as it is not perfect--it concludes only part of the passage and leaves out the limits of lichenometry in the last paragraph.

Could any one explain how A fits the main idea of the entire passage?

Thanks in advance!

[lhermary]

I would like to know this as well. B and D seem just as likely and A leaves out a lot.

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

I think a passage map would be helpful here.

P1: introduces the old way of dating earthquakes
P2: introduces a new way of dating earthquakes
P3: claims that the new way has some distinct advantages to the old way

The main point arises in the final paragraph when an argument that compares the two ways of dating earthquakes is discussed. Up until the final paragraph we are simply given descriptions of the two methods of dating earthquakes, but no argument. Answer choice (A) simply finds the thesis statement at the beginning of the final paragraph and restates it. Everything following the first sentence in the final paragraph is the justification of the claim that lichenometry has distinct advantages to radiocarbon dating. While there are limitations on it'a applicability, the conclusion is not that lichenometry is perfect or always better than radiocarbon dating, but rather that it has distinct advantages.

Let's look at the incorrect answers:

(B) is too strong. This is a comparison between radiocarbon dating and lichenometry. So to say that it is more accurate than any other method is too much.
(C) is too strong. While there are advantages, nowhere does the passage suggest a complete abandonment of radiocarbon dating.
(D) is too strong, in that we do not know that it is easily applied. It may be more accurate, but measuring these lichens and doing a survey of the region, doesn't sound easy to me at all. And nowhere is lichenometry claimed to be easily applied.
(E) is too strong. No one is advocated that we abandon radiocarbon dating for determining when an earthquake occurred - just that there are advantages to a new method in some cases.

Hope that helps!

[mahamkhan0208]

Question 1, is a synthesis question which means we must keep 2 things in mind when tackling this question.

-> Look at the passage as a whole
-> main idea/ authors view

Answer choices...
(A) Correct- This answer choice refers to all three paragraphs in the passage, as well as the authors view(main point) - Radiocarbon dating, Lichenometry, why Lichenometry is better than Radio dating.

(B) Narrow Scope - this answer only relates to the third paragraph which suggests how Lichenometry is a better method for discerning the dates of past earthquakes.

"Any other" is also an unsupported logical leap. We do not know about all the other methods that may be used, we only know of the two at hand.

(C) Interpretation Unsupported/ Strong Modifier - There is no mention of seismologists rejecting radio carbon dating and embracing Lichenometry anywhere in the passage. Therefore, this answer choice presents a logical leap which is unsupported by the text. There is also use of a strong modifier ("MOST") which is a good indication of what normally is an incorrect answer choice.

(D) Narrow Scope / Unsupported - We don't really know if Lichenometry is an easily applied method, it actually doesnt seem easy at all with all the conditions mentioned in the last paragraph. Plus, this answer choice only focuses on one aspect of the passage (lines 15-18) and not the main point.

(E) Interpretation Unsupported - No mention of radio carbon dating being unreliable or abandoned.