Reading comp PrepTest 153 · Section 4 · Question 13

Passage

Questions 8-13 This passage is based on an article published in 1996.  .       Of the 300 indigenous languages spoken when Remaining source text redacted.
Passage walkthrough
Passage SummaryTopic: Humanities

Paragraph 1
  • Paragraph note
    • A problem is introduced, and several solutions that are already happening are noted
  • Views, minor Meta-Structures, points of intersection, and the author's attitude
    • Problem - Indigenous languages are disappearing, due to US policies that forced the teaching of English to Native Americans
    • Solutions - University courses, recordings of native speakers, radio stations
Paragraph 2
  • Paragraph note
    • More info on one of the solutions
  • Views, minor Meta-Structures, points of intersection, and the author's attitude
    • Radio stations are particularly good because of oral traditions
    • Spread language, inform listeners of local news, reengage older generations
Paragraph 3
  • Paragraph note
    • A problem/threat to the solution from the last paragraph is noted
  • Views, minor Meta-Structures, points of intersection, and the author's attitude
    • The internet is driving the adoption of English, threatening the preservation of native languages
    • To combat this, radio programming must resonate with living oral traditions
Paragraph 4
  • Paragraph note
    • A distinction is made that leads to potential solutions to the secondary problem in the previous paragraph
  • Views, minor Meta-Structures, points of intersection, and the author's attitude
    • Distinction - English secondary, plenty of good radio programming; English primary, programming is mostly bad/instructional
    • Effective programming - recordings, games, speeches, songs; lessons in printed newspapers
Main Point:
The use of radio can be effective in preserving native languages, despite bad policy and the internet, with the right programming that reflects the oral tradition of these communities.

Key Lines:
Lines 1-5 - The statement of the problem
Lines 11-18 - Solutions
Lines 19-22 - The solution the Author is focusing on is clear
Lines 31-33 - A secondary problem with this solution is brought up
Lines 39-43 - How to address that secondary problem
Lines 52-55 - More details on addressing the problem

Meta-Structure:
Problem/Solution. In particular, this passage brings up a problem and several solutions before digging into one of those solutions. It also has a secondary problem noted with that solution, which itself has solutions proposed to address it.

Last Thoughts:
Since this passage has two "layers" of problems, we should be sure that we keep that straight in our minds. The overarching problem is the threat of losing native languages, and the secondary problem is with one of the ways in addressing that. Keeping these ideas distinct will be key to answering the big picture questions.

As to detail questions, knowing the role of each paragraph is going to be key. They all have distinct topics, so if we have a strong notation for each, we should be able to quickly home in on the right one for any specifics that a question might ask about.

Question prompt

Each of the following Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: D

The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.

Question Type

Humanities

Answer choices

  1. A
    a program that provides Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    Incorrect. This falls into categories 1 and 3, so we can eliminate it in this Bizarro question.
  2. B
    a music program whose Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    Incorrect. This falls into categories 3 and 4.
  3. C
    a religious program that Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    Incorrect. This falls into categories 1 and 3.
  4. D
    a program that teaches Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D matches the stem
    Correct. Question Type:
    Bizarro Must Be True

    Strategy Overview:
    Head back to the relevant section, note the types of programming advocated for, and eliminate answers that don't line up with it

    Answer Anticipation/Relevant Lines:
    This question is nice! It tells us to head to the fourth paragraph to find the relevant information.

    But be careful! There are two types of broadcasting discussed. The first—"lessons" in Lines 48-52—are said to be "unengaging and distant" from the cultural context, so this isn't the type of programming the Author is advocating for. However, that makes it a likely type of programming mentioned in the correct answer, as the LSAT writers will try to get you to eliminate it since it's mentioned in this paragraph.

    Rather, we see the good programming mentioned in Lines 52-55, which includes:

    1. Recordings of elders speaking the language
    2. Games that mix English and the native languages
    3. Speeches by fluent speakers

    And then in Lines 58-60, another is brought up:
    4. Songs

    Let's eliminate answers that fall into any of these buckets.

    Answer Explanation:
    This falls into the type of programming that the Author refers to as "unengaging and distant," which is "contrast[ed]" with "effective" programming (Line 52). As such, she doesn't advocate for this type of programming, making it the correct answer.

    Key Takeaway:
    Note that in this Bizarro question, we were able to more or less anticipate the correct answer! When a question asks about something being "advocated" for, and the passage contrasts that with something being advocated against, a Bizarro Must Be True question will frequently bring up the latter as the correct answer. The reason? To try to trap someone who didn't distinguish between what the Author was for and against, and instead just looks for answers that reflect anything mentioned in the passage. Track those viewpoints!
  5. E
    a program that plays Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    Incorrect. This falls into category 1.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A 6%
  2. B 3%
  3. C 12%
  4. D Credited 65%
  5. E 14%

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