Reading comp PrepTest 141 · Section 1 · Question 19
Passage
Questions 16-21 . Some critics of advertising have assumed that the . creation of false needs in consumers is the
Remaining source text redacted.
Passage walkthrough
Passage SummaryTopic:
Paragraph 1
Marcuse and his adherents claim that ads create false needs in people that are left unfulfilled by purchases, that, even if right, rests on a problematic distinction. But he's not right, because consumers make informed decisions and can opt for fulfillment from products.
Key Lines:
Lines 1-4 - Criticism/a viewpoint is introduced
Lines 20-21 - An example makes a point
Lines 22-25 - The main point of the criticism is summarized
Lines 26-28 - The Author criticizes Marcuse's view even if Marcuse is right
Lines 35-37 - The Author argues that Marcuse is wrong (points out an assumption)
Meta-Structure:
Rebuttal of Criticism - The Author brings up a viewpoint only to argue against it.
Argument in the Alternative - See second paragraph in Last Thoughts!
Last Thoughts:
Note that we have three sentences in our Main Point! The LSAT will almost certainly be more succinct than we will be in the correct answer to the Main Point question, but we wanted to make sure that we got the entirety of the debate, and both prongs of the Author's argument.
Speaking of which, note the difference between Paragraphs 3 and 4. In Paragraph 3, the Author notes that the distinction on which Marcuse's criticism lies is "problematic," as it would be impossible to tell the difference between the two...if Marcuse is correct. So that paragraph's criticism assumes that Marcuse is correct and then shows a problem with the argument. The following paragraph, however, pivots and argues that Marcuse is actually wrong, explaining why. This is an interesting argumentative strategy called arguing in the alternative—you show that, no matter what is true, the outcome is the same. Here, the Author essentially says—Marcuse is wrong, but even if he's right, his argument is still problematic. Cover all your bases as a lawyer!
That said, the main point of this argument is still that Marcuse and his adherents are wrong—the argument laid out in Paragraph 4. That's what the argument leads to, and the Author pivots ("But") from her argument in Paragraph 3 to the argument in Paragraph 4, highlighting it as the main part of her argument.
Paragraph 1
- Paragraph note
- A criticism of advertising is introduced, along with its central proponent
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Marcuse - Ads create false needs, which people meet with products that leave them unsatisfied, making companies richer
- Paragraph note
- An assumption/base idea of Marcuse's theory is explored
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Assumption ("supposed") - People have physical/psychological needs, and they're stolen by ads, leading to purchases that leave people unsatisfied
- Example - Perfume and sex
- Paragraph note
- The Author hops in to say the Marcusian argument is bad
- Assumption (real needs vs. false needs) is problematic
- If M is right, then we can't separate these because they're ingrained
- Paragraph note
- The Author goes further and says the Marcusian argument is wrong
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Assumption - Consumers don't have control
- Reality - Ads can't make people do things if people are informed, and ads can't lie (regulations)
- Reality - Most adults understand ad techniques
- If people have needs, they may fulfill them with stuff
- Products may not give the advertised feeling, but they can still give some feeling/fulfillment
Marcuse and his adherents claim that ads create false needs in people that are left unfulfilled by purchases, that, even if right, rests on a problematic distinction. But he's not right, because consumers make informed decisions and can opt for fulfillment from products.
Key Lines:
Lines 1-4 - Criticism/a viewpoint is introduced
Lines 20-21 - An example makes a point
Lines 22-25 - The main point of the criticism is summarized
Lines 26-28 - The Author criticizes Marcuse's view even if Marcuse is right
Lines 35-37 - The Author argues that Marcuse is wrong (points out an assumption)
Meta-Structure:
Rebuttal of Criticism - The Author brings up a viewpoint only to argue against it.
Argument in the Alternative - See second paragraph in Last Thoughts!
Last Thoughts:
Note that we have three sentences in our Main Point! The LSAT will almost certainly be more succinct than we will be in the correct answer to the Main Point question, but we wanted to make sure that we got the entirety of the debate, and both prongs of the Author's argument.
Speaking of which, note the difference between Paragraphs 3 and 4. In Paragraph 3, the Author notes that the distinction on which Marcuse's criticism lies is "problematic," as it would be impossible to tell the difference between the two...if Marcuse is correct. So that paragraph's criticism assumes that Marcuse is correct and then shows a problem with the argument. The following paragraph, however, pivots and argues that Marcuse is actually wrong, explaining why. This is an interesting argumentative strategy called arguing in the alternative—you show that, no matter what is true, the outcome is the same. Here, the Author essentially says—Marcuse is wrong, but even if he's right, his argument is still problematic. Cover all your bases as a lawyer!
That said, the main point of this argument is still that Marcuse and his adherents are wrong—the argument laid out in Paragraph 4. That's what the argument leads to, and the Author pivots ("But") from her argument in Paragraph 3 to the argument in Paragraph 4, highlighting it as the main part of her argument.
Question prompt
Which one of the
Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right
Credited answer: A
The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.
Question Type
Humanities
Answer choices
-
AIn modern society, advertising Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice A matches the stem
Correct. Question Type:
Must Be True
Strategy Overview:
Review Marcuse's arguments, then find any element of them in the answers
Answer Anticipation/Relevant Lines:
This answer is essentially the same as Question #17—we're looking for a view attributed to Marcuse. That question was more specific in asking what he felt about ads, but everything mentioned in relation to his was about ads in some way, so our anticipations will be the same.
Marcuse's arguments were laid out in Paragraphs 1 and 2, so we should check there for details.
In Paragraph 1, Marcuse says that ads use psychological techniques to create false needs that, even when met, don't contribute to well-being (Lines 9-13). Rather, they contribute to profits and power for corporations (Lines 13-15).
In Paragraph 2, Marcuse says something similar! Ads "appropriate[] these needs for [their] own purposes" and create false needs to sell products (Lines 21).
Let's find an answer reflecting these details!
Answer Explanation:
(Lines 6-9; Lines 9-12; Line 25) This is such a tricky correct answer! But note that it's about what people "think"—such subjective views are always important to note. With that in mind, let's look at the passage. Marcuse notes that ads create "needs," the satisfaction of which doesn't contribute to well-being. This follows a note that Marcuse was central to a critique of ads, and he believed modern people "believe[] themselves satisfied" despite living in an unsatisfied world because of the psychological effects of ads. While they "remain[] at some level unsatisfied," that speaks to the reality of the situation, not what people think about their lives, and so this answer is supported by Lines 9-12 and not invalidated by Line 25, making it correct.
Key Takeaway:
RC question sets shouldn't be viewed as each on their own island! They tend to build on each other, referencing the same important sections. If you've already thought something through, use that same thinking for questions that ask about similar things. And always be sure that all of the answers you select align with each other. -
BModern societies differ from Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice B is not credited
Incorrect. (Lines 6-9) The passage does say that Marcuse believed "modern people" are manipulated by ads into believing they are satisfied, but he never talks about earlier societies meeting people's needs. Maybe modern people are distinct in believing they are satisfied, not in that belief being false! Earlier people may have known that their needs weren't being met. -
CIt is impossible to Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice C is not credited
Incorrect. (Lines 31-34) This answer reflects the Author's problem with Marcuse's arguments if he was right. However, that doesn't mean Marcuse himself would agree with her critique—in fact, if he did, that would mean he found his own argument problematic! -
DAdvertising in modern society Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice D is not credited
Incorrect. (Lines 6-7; Lines 13-15) Marcuse does say that modern people are oppressed, and ads are a tool for that. However, he connects this to the disproportionate power of corporations, not totalitarian governments. -
EAdvertising exploits basic human Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice E is not credited
Incorrect. (Line 11) Marcuse calls these needs "false," but that's not the same as calling them secondary, and it's definitely not the same as saying they become real needs.
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Discussion
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Why not E 3 replies
Started by liwenong28
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Why is C incorrect? 1 reply
Started by xDaltonLaney
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Why A? 1 reply
Started by Minerva