PT30.S4.Q02 - the current theory about earthquakes

marsasb161-1

Is the sentence that starts with "As plausible as this may sound, at least one thing remains mysterious...," the conclusion of this stimulus?

So the main point would not be whatever comes after the sentence, which mainly talks about how there were no increases in temperature following earthquakes. Therefore, we can eliminate (A) and (D)...right?

https://7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-30-section-4-question-02/

Sami

@Sager180 said:
Is the sentence that starts with "As plausible as this may sound, at least one thing remains mysterious...," the conclusion of this stimulus?

So the main point would not be whatever comes after the sentence, which mainly talks about how there were no increases in temperature following earthquakes. Therefore, we can eliminate (A) and (D)...right?

https://7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-30-section-4-question-02/

Yeah, you are on the right track. He is not saying the theory is wrong. He actually thinks it sounds plausible. By saying at least one thing remains mysterious he is simply saying the theory does not explain why there is no heat.

Answer choice A is factually correct but what is the support for why no increases in temperature have been detected?
We don't know, its simply a fact; making it not the conclusion.

Answer choice D is the expectation that we have from the theory. We should be detecting enormous amounts of heat but we are not. Are we trying to conclude overall in stimulus that we should be detecting enormous amounts of heat?

For really tough main point questions I like to ask myself what's the support offered in the stimulus for this and how does each sentence relate to concluding this point. If at any point you cannot answer that question, you know its not the main point.

For example if answer choice B is the main point: the first sentence gives us information about the theory. The second sentence seems like the conclusion because it is supported by the third sentence about an expectation from the theory which the last sentence says is not met by data.