LSAT Explanation PT 45, S4, Q1: Mayor McKinney's policies have often been

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Main Conclusion question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This LSAT problem is a Main Point question type, which asks us to identify the main conclusion of the argument presented in the passage. To do so, we will first briefly summarize the passage and then evaluate each answer choice to determine which one most accurately expresses the main conclusion.

Passage Summary: Mayor McKinney's policies have been criticized for benefiting only wealthy residents, but the author argues that this is not a fair evaluation. The author provides evidence that some of McKinney's policies, such as the property tax decrease, have benefited less affluent residents by promoting development and stabilizing rents.

Now let's analyze each answer choice:

a) It is impossible to tell whether McKinney is more committed to the interests of the wealthy than to those of the poor.

- This answer choice is not the main conclusion, as the passage does not focus on determining McKinney's commitment to one group over the other. The main point is about the fairness of the criticism, not the impossibility of determining McKinney's preferences.

b) McKinney's policies have often been criticized for benefiting only wealthy city residents.

- This answer choice presents the position of McKinney's critics, which the author is arguing against. It does not represent the main conclusion of the author's argument.

c) The decrease in property taxes that McKinney supported caused more development to take place in the city.

- This answer choice states a premise or supporting evidence for the author's argument, but it does not express the main conclusion itself.

d) The criticism that McKinney's policies benefit only the wealthy is unjustified.

- This answer choice accurately paraphrases the author's main conclusion, which is that the criticism of McKinney's policies as only benefiting the wealthy is unfair and not a proper evaluation.

e) McKinney's efforts helped end the housing shortage and stabilize the rents in the city.

- This answer choice, like (c), provides a premise or supporting evidence for the author's argument. It does not represent the main conclusion itself.

Based on our analysis, the correct answer choice is (d), as it most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the argument: The criticism that McKinney's policies benefit only the wealthy is unjustified.