PrepTest 141
[lcid:3660] Prep Test 141 LSAT — Reading Comp — S1
Reading comp
Passage
From a critical discussion of the work of Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. Questions 8-15 . What Cameron called her
Remaining source text redacted.
Passage walkthrough
Passage SummaryTopic:
Paragraph 1
Despite some nay-sayers, Cameron's "fancy-subject" pictures are vital, true, and special because they capture something unique by showing the true experience of the actors at the same time as they depict a fictional scene.
Key Lines:
Lines 13-20 - The Author states a positive opinion of Cameron's work and highlights what gives them their "charm"
Lines 21-24 - Another reason for the value of Cameron's work
Lines 43-36 - Another reason for the value of Cameron's work
Line 47 - An example is introduced
Meta-Structure:
Comparisons - This passage relies heavily on comparing Cameron's works to others, to highlight what makes them unique and special. Her photos are compared both to traditionally "good" art and "bad" art to show that, while they don't amount to the former, they don't fall into the traps of the latter, and they instead capture something missing from other art—a truth about the circumstances under which the photos are taken, revealing a story of the actors involved.
Last Thoughts:
Since there were so many comparisons in the passage, we should expect questions and answers that reflect these details, so it'll be good to have those noted in some way (even if you just threw a "Comp" note to allow yourself to find where the comparisons are).
Also, note that all the paragraphs have a similar function—to highlight something about Cameron's photos that make them special. As such, it would be important to define the role of each paragraph a little more precisely so that we can find relevant information faster. That's why, in our Summary, we noted a bit more about how each paragraph proceeds.
Also, do yourself a favor and Google her photographs. Trust us, they don't disappoint.
Paragraph 1
- Paragraph note
- An artist's work is described, compared to others, and judged
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Cameron - "fancy-subject" photos of costumed people reenacting stories, but accidentally comical
- Compared to serious work - Cameron's work feature "actors" who don't want to be there
- Failed goal of Cameron - Seamless works of illustrative art
- Compared to curiosities (e.g., Rejlander) - not extravagantly awful
- Author - Her words are "among [Victorian photography's] most vital images."
- Paragraph note
- What makes Cameron's images special (truth), with more comparisons (contrast)
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Truth is key - the people's faces showing how they feel creates a plot
- Vs. painting - Can suspend disbelief because there aren't real people
- Vs. theater - Can suspend disbelief and believe actor is character
- Photo - We know it's an actor
- Paragraph note
- More on what makes Cameron's images special (combo of amateurism and artistry), with examples
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Special because of combo of amateurism and artistry
- Ex - Arthur - Props are very fake, but it becomes magical
- Like good amateur theatricals, not bad ones (guilty pleasures)
Despite some nay-sayers, Cameron's "fancy-subject" pictures are vital, true, and special because they capture something unique by showing the true experience of the actors at the same time as they depict a fictional scene.
Key Lines:
Lines 13-20 - The Author states a positive opinion of Cameron's work and highlights what gives them their "charm"
Lines 21-24 - Another reason for the value of Cameron's work
Lines 43-36 - Another reason for the value of Cameron's work
Line 47 - An example is introduced
Meta-Structure:
Comparisons - This passage relies heavily on comparing Cameron's works to others, to highlight what makes them unique and special. Her photos are compared both to traditionally "good" art and "bad" art to show that, while they don't amount to the former, they don't fall into the traps of the latter, and they instead capture something missing from other art—a truth about the circumstances under which the photos are taken, revealing a story of the actors involved.
Last Thoughts:
Since there were so many comparisons in the passage, we should expect questions and answers that reflect these details, so it'll be good to have those noted in some way (even if you just threw a "Comp" note to allow yourself to find where the comparisons are).
Also, note that all the paragraphs have a similar function—to highlight something about Cameron's photos that make them special. As such, it would be important to define the role of each paragraph a little more precisely so that we can find relevant information faster. That's why, in our Summary, we noted a bit more about how each paragraph proceeds.
Also, do yourself a favor and Google her photographs. Trust us, they don't disappoint.
Question prompt
The main purpose of
Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right
Credited answer: B
The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.
Question Type
Social Science
Answer choices
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Ato chronicle Cameron's artistic Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice A is not credited
Incorrect. The passage doesn't chronicle the growth of Cameron, nor does it refer to The Passing of Arthur as her masterpiece. -
Bto argue that the Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice B matches the stem
Correct. Question Type:
Main Point
Strategy Overview:
Reiterate the main point and then generalize from it to get the purpose behind the writing
Answer Anticipation/Relevant Lines:
Every RC passage has the same primary purpose—to prove the main point. We need to get more specific with the answer, but we should keep this in mind and start by reiterating that main point.
Here, the Author's point was:
Despite some nay-sayers, Cameron's "fancy-subject" pictures are vital, true, and special because they capture something unique by showing the true experience of the actors at the same time as they depict a fictional scene.
So the Author wrote this to defend/describe the value of an artist's work by examining a relatively unique feature of it. Let's find an answer reflecting that.
Answer Explanation:
(Lines 14-20) The Author ends the first paragraph by noting that if Cameron had been successful in her project/goal, then her work would not have been as enduring and vital. He then goes on to argue that her aim to make "seamless works of illustrative art" resulted in her making art that presented truth by capturing the experience of the actors in her photos. The tension between that aim for realism and the actual reality she captured is what the Author appreciates about her work. This answer is therefore correct.
Key Takeaway:
Questions that ask about the Author's purpose are Main Point questions in disguise. While the answers will be phrased a little differently, they still need to capture the Author's main point and the entirety of the passage in some way. Make sure you pick an answer that fits the bill! -
Cto show that Cameron's Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice C is not credited
Incorrect. (Lines 38-42; Lines 53-57) The Author twice brings up theater as a point of contrast or comparison for Cameron's work, but he never states that she had a theatrical "vision." -
Dto explain why Cameron's Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice D is not credited
Incorrect. The Author is complimentary of Cameron's work, calling it charming, vital, true, and singular. This answer is way too negative ("doomed to failure") to be correct. -
Eto defend Cameron's masterpiece Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice E is not credited
Incorrect. (Line 47) As we said with (A), there's no indication that The Passing of Arthur is Cameron's masterpiece. Additionally, the Author refers to it as an example, so saying something about it isn't going to be the primary purpose of the passage.
What this tests
Discussion
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Why is A correct 1 reply
Started by Amandaccs
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Started by Ryan-Mahabir