Reading ComprehensionDifficulty: Easy

PT157 S1 P4 Q22 Explanation

Environmental Effects of International Debt

A free, expert breakdown of this official LSAT Reading Comprehension question.

TopicsAuthor's AttitudeScience

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Passage

Some environmentalists claim that the higher the international debt a nation carries, the more likely it is that the quality of life in that nation will suffer. These environmentalists argue that in a variety of ways the effort a nation must expend to pay its debt hastens the depletion of its natural example, through the elimination of government subsidies for practices that reduce pollution or conserve natural resources.

But the evidence for the environmentalists’ claims is weak. With respect to the exports promotion hypothesis, one recent study does suggest a positive correlation between international debt and deforestation, but also indicates that other factors besides debt may play a stronger role. Another study found only a slight positive correlation between debt of the fiscal discipline or economic restructuring imposed by debt may rein in potentially harmful spending.

What this question is testing

Author's Attitude

Anticipate

The author is not cheering for spending cuts or mourning them. The author is saying That is skepticism about the assumption that cuts are harmful, not enthusiasm for cuts.

Goal

Find the skeptical-but-not-dismissive answer.

Reading along? Open the full official question in LawHub — we show a fragment here and keep the reasoning in our own words.

The question
22.

Which one of the following most accurately characterizes the author’s attitude toward reductions in domestic spending in response to the need

Answer choices

  1. Unsupported2% picked this

    optimism that they will lead to enhanced quality

    The author never expresses optimism that spending cuts will enhance quality of life. The author's point is that the effects are uncertain, not positive.

  2. Out of Scope4% picked this

    concern that governments may lack the political will to carry

    The passage never discusses whether governments have the political will to make spending cuts. The author's focus is on what the effects of cuts would be, not whether they will happen.

  3. Unsupported3% picked this

    insistence upon restricting them to health care

    The author never insists spending cuts should be restricted to health care and education. The author's point is that cuts might fall on harmful programs rather than beneficial ones.

  4. Unsupported3% picked this

    conviction that they need only be

    The passage never discusses whether spending cuts are temporary or permanent. The author's focus is on their environmental effects, not their duration.

  5. Correct88% picked this

    skepticism about whether their consequences are

    Why this is right

    The author argues that spending cuts might eliminate harmful programs rather than beneficial ones, expressing skepticism about whether the consequences are predominantly negative.

    Skill tested: Author's Attitude · how this choice captures the passage's function is the move to repeat next time.

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