Set 5: Inferences (Intermediate)

Explanation

Answer: D

PASSAGE

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Its passage required overcoming a 54-day Senate filibuster. While the legislation marked a legal milestone, subsequent decades revealed that changing laws was easier than changing deeply embedded social practices and attitudes.

What can be inferred about the relationship between legal reform and social change?

A. The Civil Rights Act had no effect on American society.

B. Passing laws automatically transforms social attitudes.

C. The filibuster successfully blocked the legislation.

D. Legal victories may be necessary but insufficient for achieving full social transformation.✓ Correct

Detailed Explanation

This question asks you to draw a logical conclusion from the text. 'Legal milestone' but 'changing laws was easier than changing attitudes' = law is necessary but not sufficient. A valid inference must be supported by evidence in the passage, even if not stated directly. Look for clues in the text that strongly suggest the answer. Avoid conclusions that require assumptions beyond what's written. Valid inferences are strongly supported by multiple pieces of evidence in the text. Be cautious of choices that go too far beyond what the passage actually states. The best inference is the one most directly supported by textual evidence.

Key Evidence:

• "marked a legal milestone"

• "changing laws was easier than changing practices and attitudes"

Why others are wrong: A (It was a 'milestone.'), B (Attitudes remained difficult to change.), C ('Its passage' means the filibuster was overcome.).