Q23

[tzyc]

Hi,
I just wanted to double check...
So "A law is described (Dawes Act), the rational put forward for one of its clauses is outlined (Two main reasons) and dismissed ("However, nboth of these arguments..."), and a different rationale for the clause is presented (it is political reason/supported by interest groups)" right?
It says "the rational" instead of "the rationals" so I thought it may be different...?

Thank you

[tommywallach]

Hey TZ,

That's absolutely right. In terms of the rationale/rationales issue, you could argue that both of the issues were related to threatening the traditional Native American life (either because they would lose the land outright, or because the system of ownership would be a philosophical threat). Either way, (D)'s still the best answer!

-t

[Aquamarine]

I don't understand why E is wrong.
Can anyone explain me why E is wrong?
Thanks!

[christine.defenbaugh]

Thanks so much for posting, !

This question demands that we describe the organization of the passage. Our passage map will help us out a great deal here, but wrong answer eliminations will also be critical!

Our passage map should look something like this:

P1 Introduction of Dawes Act
P2 2 possible reasons for restrictions on sale of land
P3 How those reasons only justify restrictions on sale to non-Native Americans
P4 Using "interest-group model" to find another potential reason: benefit to BIA bureaucrats

This map lines up item for item with (D)! A law is described (P1), the rationale put forward is outlined (P2) and dismissed (P3), and a different rationale is presented (P4)!

Let's take a look at the key words in each answer choice that make it clearly wrong.

(A) Paragraphs 2-4 are all about why the law was passed - the rationale, not the various benefits and drawbacks of the law! We also never get a final 'assessment' of the law.

(B) The author never advocates for a repeal of the law. In fact, this law had its effects a century ago!

(C) We never discuss the permanent effects of the law.

(E) There are a few problems with this answer, the most striking of which is the discussion of "rival groups". The BIA bureaucrats benefit from the law, but they are never characterized as "a rival group". This also misses the specific discussion of a particular law (the Dawes Act) and the various possible reasons it was passed! The "legal status of an ethnic group" is a very broad concept - the passage only discusses how one particular law affected one particular issue for Native Americans.

For passage organization questions, it's critical to return to the passage map - answers will often line up item for item with a well honed passage map. Relying instead on a general sense, or feeling of the passage will leap us to temptations that don't quite match in scope!

Let me know if this helps clear up this question!