Q21

[lichenrachel]

I am having a hard time deciding why B is definitely superior an answer to C. I chose C originally because I didn't feel so sure about the wording "systemic problem" in answer B.

Now reviewing the question, I can see why B is correct. But why is C wrong?

Thanks a lot.

[bbirdwell]

C is way too broad! This paragraph is not about "problems with enacting constitutional reforms." It's about one very specific instance (aboriginal rights), and it's not about "enacting" the reform -- the reform was made in 1982 -- it's about enforcing or utilizing that reform.

[shirando21]

Why can't E be correct? the general language is the reason why it is hard to interpret in practice. isn't that where the problem is? and the author does not seem to like the generalization.

[daniel]

Why can't E be correct? the general language is the reason why it is hard to interpret in practice. isn't that where the problem is? and the author does not seem to like the generalization.

The author of the passage definitely doesn't criticize the general constitutional language. We know this because line 13 says that the language in the constitution is "necessarily general." Now, if the author had used a word like "unnecessarily" or "overly" then this answer choice might be a little better. As it is, though, I don't think we can say she is criticizing the general language.

[MadisonX137]

Can we get an explanation for why each answer is wrong and why B is correct?

[ohthatpatrick]

When RC question stems are asking us about the purpose of a line/detail, the correct answer normally reinforces a broader framing idea that's found immediately before or after that line/detail.

The more common question stem wording is
"the author mentions _____ in order to / primarily to"

We're usually looking for local purpose, so you can think about what bigger point the author is making in that section of that paragraph.

But since this is asking us about the first paragraph, where we might find overall thesis ideas, it could play out differently.

In this case, they're asking about lines 11-14, which is where we find this passage's holy PIVOT sentence (most main points / primary purposes of passages are found in or around the first big "but, yet, however, recently" pivot in the RC passage).

Lines 11-14 is essentially the setup for the "thesis" in line 14-18.

This passage's purpose is to Describe a Problem. There's not much of a Solution proposed, other than the quick nod in the final sentence to the hope that the Supreme Court will be able to help address this problem.

So lines 11-14 are the transition from "here was this good thing we were trying to do to secure the rights of the aboriginal peoples" into the problem crystallized in line 14-18 that "the result has not been great overall for the rights of the aboriginal peoples".

Lines 11-14 essentially explain why are good intentions have manifested as undesirable results: we had to write the constitutional language in broad, general terms, but that leaves the actual application of this language up to the interpretations of provincial courts.

(A) "demonstrate" is strong and "rarely" is strong. The author is only talking about what has transpired as provincial courts attempt to interpret this one constitutional reform. He's not making a broader case that provincial courts RARELY uphold the goals of reforms.

(B) I'd keep this. The passage is about the problem of safeguarding aboriginal rights, and the "enormous burden of having the provincial courts interpret the vague constitutional language" is locating a source of that problem.

(C) This sounds too broad because it's plural "constitutional reforms". If it said "to identify the specific source of problems in enacting a constitutional reform" it would be accurate.

(D) This is drifting from the purpose. "Describing one aspect" doesn't capture the overall purpose of 11-14, which is to transition from "we had these good intentions" to "they are manifesting with problems". It is true that saying "the provincial courts have to interpret the broad language" is describing one aspect of the process of enacting reforms, but the purpose of the sentence was "to describe THE aspect of the process which is resulting in problems".

(E) The author isn't criticizing the constitutional language for being broad, because she concedes that "it's necessarily general", i.e. she recognizes that the constitutional reform needed to be written in general language.


This exemplar is somewhat weird because it's so thesis-adjacent, but it still follows the big patterns of "Purpose of a line/detail" type questions:

1. trap answers are often too focused on the line/detail itself (D and E are trying to get people to like them by having similarities to lines 11-14)

2. some answers are just written to strongly (A is trying to extrapolate something too strong .. "provincial RARELY enacts the goals")

3. the correct answer reinforces either the preceding or proceeding sentence (I call these questions "Bookend" questions for that reason).


Lines 11-14:
This decision has placed a big burden on provincial courts.

Next sentence:
the result has been [this problem]

Correct answer describing the function of lines 11-14:
to locate the source of a problem