PrepTest 143

[lcid:3669] Prep Test 143 LSAT — Reading Comp — S2 Reading comp

Passage

Questions 1-7  .        Having spent several decades trying to eliminate  . the unself-conscious "colonial gaze" characteristic of  . so Remaining source text redacted.
Passage walkthrough
Passage SummaryTopic: Social Science

Paragraph 1
  • Paragraph note
    • A phenomenon is introduced that has divided anthropologists
  • Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
    • Old problem - Eliminate colonial gaze in ethnographic film
    • New phenomenon - Indigenous cultures are getting cameras and recording their own cultures
    • Anthropologists are "sharply divided" on how to view this
Paragraph 2
  • Paragraph note
    • One view is described
  • Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
    • Weiner et. al. - Cameras are an assault on indigenous cultures
    • Devalues differences, pushing Western approach (realism, immediacy, self-expression)
    • Paradox - Costs indigenous peoples the culture they want to preserve
    • Weiner - Others who think this is good are naïve
Paragraph 3
  • Paragraph note
    • Other view is described
  • Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
    • Ginsburg et. al. - Weiner appeals to "noble savage" (super negative)
    • Concession - Western objects aren't neutral
    • Non-Western peoples can adopt this tech without Western values
    • Opportunity to preserve language and traditions
Paragraph 4
  • Paragraph note
    • A real-world example backs up Ginsburg's view
  • Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
    • Ex. Turner/Kayapo (oral tradition) - Back up Ginsburg
    • Kayapo record ceremonies and interactions with government (legally binding)
    • Kayapo videos/editing reflect their culture/ceremonies (complex patterns; repetition; sequential organization)
Main Point:
While there is a sharp debate between anthropologists on whether it's good for indigenous cultures to adopt Western technology/cameras, a real-world example suggests that this technology does more harm than good, at least as far as preserving their culture is concerned.

Key Lines:
Lines 8-10 - The phenomenon is introduced
Lines 11-12 - The debate is previewed
Lines 13-15 - The first side of the debate is introduced and outlined
Lines 32-34 - The second side of the debate makes a concession to the first
Lines 34-36 - The second side of the debate rebuts the first
Lines 40-43 - The second side of the debate is outlined
Lines 44-47 - A specific example is introduced that supports the second view
Lines 54-59 - The best line describing the example's relevance

Meta-Structure:
Phenomenon/Implication - This is a variation on the Phenomenon/Explanation pattern. However, there's no explanation for the phenomenon here—the adoption of cameras by indigenous peoples. The debate is over whether it's a good or a bad thing.

Debate - Two sides of a debate are outlined. Here, the Author ends up leaning towards one side.

General Point/Specific Example - The Author brings up a single example to back up the viewpoint that she most closely aligns with. Remember, when a single example serves as the backing for a view, that view isn't on the strongest ground!

Last Thoughts:
That discussion of "ontology" is probably going to show up as at least an answer, since it's not a word you hear every day!

Question prompt

Based on the passage, 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

Social Science

Answer choices

  1. A
    fundamental rejection
    Why choice A matches the stem
    Correct. Question Type:
    Author's Attitude

    Strategy Overview:
    Review the viewpoint in question's statements expressing their opinion on the topic, define direction (positive/neutral/negative) and strength, and find an answer reflecting that

    Answer Anticipation/Relevant Lines:
    While this question doesn't ask about the Author's attitude, the same principles apply, so we're going to rely on that methodology.

    Our notes remind us that Faye Ginsburg's view is discussed in Paragraph 3. And since James Weiner's view is expressed in Paragraph 2, her opinion of it is likely to show up in the transition. We know that there's a "sharp divide[]" between the sides, so the opinion might be stronger than we normally see.

    Checking that part of the passage, we see that Faye Ginsburg and those who agree with her "contend that his views betray a certain nostalgia for the idea of the Ônoble savage.'" That's a pretty strong condemnation, calling Weiner of trafficking racist stereotypes. Their view goes on to present a diametrically opposed view of what he argues. As such, we can pick a strongly negative answer here.

    This is reinforced by her calling Weiner's view "little more than boilerplate technological determinism" (Line 35) that ignores the use of these technologies as an "invaluable opportunity" (Line 42) to help preserve languages and traditions.

    Answer Explanation:
    (Lines 29-31; Line 35; Line 42) Ginsburg accuses Weiner of being nostalgic for racist stereotypes and of engaging in boilerplate thinking that will rob indigenous peoples of an invaluable opportunity. That's a very strong, negative opinion, so this is the correct answer.

    Key Takeaway:
    Usually, such an extreme answer in an Attitude question is incorrect. However, when the language in the passage is strongly positive or negative, they can be correct. Be sure to note such language when it shows up, since it's out of the norm!
  2. B
    reluctant censure
    Why choice B is not credited
    Incorrect. (Lines 29-31; Lines 32-34) The opening line of Paragraph 2 is certainly not reluctant. While Ginsburg does make a concession to Weiner's point, it's a general concession, and one that she doesn't believe truly applies in the given case, so there's no reluctance there, either.
  3. C
    mild disapproval
    Why choice C is not credited
    Incorrect. (Lines 29-31) That opening line is more than just mild disapproval.
  4. D
    diplomatic neutrality
    Why choice D is not credited
    Incorrect. (Lines 29-31; Line 35; Line 42) Calling someone nostalgic for the idea of the "noble savage" while accusing them of stealing an invaluable opportunity from indigenous peoples is hardly neutral.
  5. E
    supportive interest
    Why choice E is not credited
    Incorrect. (Lines 32-34) Outside of a concession that she immediately argues doesn't apply in this case, Ginsburg has nothing positive to say about Weiner's argument, so she's certainly not supportive of or interested in it.

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