PrepTest 141
[lcid:3660] Prep Test 141 LSAT — Reading Comp — S1
Reading comp
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
The main function of
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Why the credited answer is right
Credited answer: E
The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.
Question Type
Humanities
Answer choices
-
Asummarize the political and Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice A is not credited
Incorrect. (Line 4; Lines 13-15) This answer is way too broad. While the Author does mention "hegemonic power," Marcuse's expertise as a political theorist, and the economic effects of ads, that's not the same as summarizing the political and economic context for Marcuse's arguments. We'd need to see a whole lot more information about the political and economic systems broadly that ads are located within for this to be the correct answer. Instead, the paragraph focuses only on Marcuse's criticism, which is shared by some critics. -
Boutline the mechanisms by Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice B is not credited
Incorrect. (Lines 9-11) This paragraph discusses—in very general terms—one way that false needs are created (ads), so this answer doesn't line up with the passage. It also completely misses the critics and Marcuse! -
Cevaluate the psychological processes Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice C is not credited
Incorrect. (Lines 9-11) First, this answer doesn't discuss Marcuse or the critics. Second, the passage just mentions these processes—it doesn't name, list, or evaluate them! -
Ddescribe the prevailing views Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice D is not credited
Incorrect. (Line 1) Tempting! However, the passage notes that the criticism is made by "[s]ome" critics—that doesn't mean it's the prevailing view among them! -
Edescribe Marcusian views regarding Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice E matches the stem
Correct. Question Type:
Argument Structure
Strategy Overview:
Review our notes on the first paragraph, defining its role in the overall argument
Answer Anticipation/Relevant Lines:
Our summary of Paragraph 1 noted:
A criticism of advertising is introduced, along with its central proponent
That proponent was Marcuse, who argued that ads create false needs, which lead them to buy products that don't satisfy them and just transfer money and power to corporations.
So the Author uses Paragraph 1 to introduce what some Critics and Marcuse argue about ads. Let's find an answer reflecting that role.
Answer Explanation:
(Lines 1-6; Lines 6-15) This answer perfectly encapsulates Paragraph 1. Marcusian views regarding mass market manipulation are outlined starting in Line 6, and his views are brought up to explain the critiques of "[s]ome critics" of advertising.
Key Takeaway:
Always note the groups that are being discussed specifically, whether in RC or LR. Here, noting that it was "[s]ome critics" being discussed, as opposed to most, all, or a consensus, was key to eliminating an incorrect answer.
What this tests
Discussion
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D vs. E 3 replies
Started by avif
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Why is A incorrect? 1 reply
Started by xDaltonLaney