PrepTest 158
[lcid:3728] Prep Test 158 LSAT — Reading Comp — S1
Reading comp
Passage
Native American stories often feature a character called the trickster, a comic figure who has both mortal weaknesses and supernatural
Remaining source text redacted.
Passage walkthrough
Passage Summary Topic:
Humanities
Paragraph 1
Main Point:
Critics' use of the term "trickster" from Native American stories to describe the picaro in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century European literature hides the essential differences between the two figures.
Key Lines?
Paragraph 1, Sentence 2 (P1, S2) - Critics' view on similarities between picaro and trickster
P2, S3 - Author's conclusion
P3, S2 - Author's key support: primary distinction between picaro and trickster
Meta-Structure?
Correcting the Record: This passage utilizes a Correcting the Record Meta-Structure. In such passages, the author typically paraphrases a belief, approach, or idea held by some before explaining why that belief, approach, or idea is incorrect. This passage follows that pattern closely. In the first paragraph, the author paraphrases some literary critics' behavior — appropriating the term "trickster" from Native American stories to describe the picaro in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century European literature. At the beginning of the second paragraph, the author argues why that critical behavior is misguided — by using the term "trickster" for the picaro, critics brush over the essential differences between the two figures (P2, S1).* The author supports that record-correction in the second, third, and fourth paragraphs by showing how the picaro and trickster are quite different.
In Correcting the Record passages, the main point is generally the author's explanation of why the misconception is false. The author summarized this view at the beginning of the second paragraph. As the author states, critics' use of the term "trickster" from Native American stories to describe the picaro in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century European literature hides the essential differences between the two figures (P2, S1).
*For this reason, some test-takers may view this as a Rebutting Critics passage. Although the author corrects literary critics' behavior, the "Critics" in "Rebutting Critics" typically refer to people criticizing something. One could also mount a good argument that this is a Criticizing a Viewpoint passage. In such passages, the "Viewpoint" usually gets more space than the single sentence dedicated to literary critics' view here. So, we think this passage is best viewed as a Correcting the Record passage. Still, even if you viewed this passage as a Rebutting Critics or Criticizing the Viewpoint passage, you'd wind up with the same main point.
Comparison: The main point of this passage is that using the term "trickster" to describe the "picaro" obscures the essential differences between the two figures. So, it should come as no surprise that the predominant minor Meta-Structure used in this passage is comparisons. The author notes several similarities between the trickster and picaro — and, more saliently, draws many distinctions between the two — throughout this passage. There are far too many similarities and differences to note here (they're all included in the Passage Summary above). However, we are bound to get at least a few questions on these, so it's a good idea to highlight or underline the location of these comparisons. We can do so by highlighting or underlining comparative words like "both" (P1, S2), "similar" (P2, S4), "while" (P3, S2), and "rather" (P3, S6).
Last Thoughts?
This passage highlights fundamental differences between the trickster and the picaro. To save us from some passage-research sessions, it can help if we try to remember a few distinctions drawn between the two figures. We don't need to memorize all the details, just a few important ones. If memorization isn't your strong suit, you can even write a T-chart on your scratch paper with these salient differences. We recommend that you try to remember that the picaro is satirical, openly engages in vices, and exposes society's hypocrisies. We also recommend that you remember the trickster is mythical, possesses human flaws, and attempts to instruct people on how not to behave. Remembering these few key details might save you some time and fact-finding missions as you progress through the questions.
Humanities
Paragraph 1
- Paragraph note
- Recent criticism: Applies Native American term "trickster" to picaro
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Definition of "trickster": Comic figure with human weaknesses and supernatural powers (first sentence)
- Definition of picaro: rogue (second sentence)
- Comparison:
- Both picaro and trickster are protagonists in episodic adventures, live on the margins of society, and are flawed (second sentence)
- Paragraph note
- Author: Critics' use of "trickster" hides differences between the two
- Support: Background on picaro
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Author's view: Picaro's open indulgences satirize society whose members reject him despite engaging in similar indulgences in private (third through last sentences)
- Comparisons:
- Both picaro and members of society indulge in similar vices (third sentence)
- However, picaro does so publicly, while members of society do privately (third sentence)
- Paragraph note
- Support: Trickster's differences from the picaro
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Author's view: Trickster provides moral instruction (as an example of what not to do); not a figure of satire (second through last sentence)
- Comparisons between trickster and picaro:
- Trickster not satirical, while picaro is (first sentence)
- Trickster exists in world of myth, while picaro exists in society (second sentence)
- Trickster provides moral instruction (as an example of what not to do), while picaro reveals the hypocrisy of society (second sentence)
- Both trickster and picaro on margins of society, but trickster there because trickster is fundamental antisocial/flawed (fifth sentence)
- Author's attitude: "instead essential" (fourth sentence)
- Paragraph note
- Support: How trickster illustrates human flaws
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Example of how trickster illustrates human flaws:
- Coyote trickster falls in love with a star (unreasonable desire) and falls back to Earth (second through last sentence)
- Example of how trickster illustrates human flaws:
Main Point:
Critics' use of the term "trickster" from Native American stories to describe the picaro in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century European literature hides the essential differences between the two figures.
Key Lines?
Paragraph 1, Sentence 2 (P1, S2) - Critics' view on similarities between picaro and trickster
P2, S3 - Author's conclusion
P3, S2 - Author's key support: primary distinction between picaro and trickster
Meta-Structure?
Correcting the Record: This passage utilizes a Correcting the Record Meta-Structure. In such passages, the author typically paraphrases a belief, approach, or idea held by some before explaining why that belief, approach, or idea is incorrect. This passage follows that pattern closely. In the first paragraph, the author paraphrases some literary critics' behavior — appropriating the term "trickster" from Native American stories to describe the picaro in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century European literature. At the beginning of the second paragraph, the author argues why that critical behavior is misguided — by using the term "trickster" for the picaro, critics brush over the essential differences between the two figures (P2, S1).* The author supports that record-correction in the second, third, and fourth paragraphs by showing how the picaro and trickster are quite different.
In Correcting the Record passages, the main point is generally the author's explanation of why the misconception is false. The author summarized this view at the beginning of the second paragraph. As the author states, critics' use of the term "trickster" from Native American stories to describe the picaro in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century European literature hides the essential differences between the two figures (P2, S1).
*For this reason, some test-takers may view this as a Rebutting Critics passage. Although the author corrects literary critics' behavior, the "Critics" in "Rebutting Critics" typically refer to people criticizing something. One could also mount a good argument that this is a Criticizing a Viewpoint passage. In such passages, the "Viewpoint" usually gets more space than the single sentence dedicated to literary critics' view here. So, we think this passage is best viewed as a Correcting the Record passage. Still, even if you viewed this passage as a Rebutting Critics or Criticizing the Viewpoint passage, you'd wind up with the same main point.
Comparison: The main point of this passage is that using the term "trickster" to describe the "picaro" obscures the essential differences between the two figures. So, it should come as no surprise that the predominant minor Meta-Structure used in this passage is comparisons. The author notes several similarities between the trickster and picaro — and, more saliently, draws many distinctions between the two — throughout this passage. There are far too many similarities and differences to note here (they're all included in the Passage Summary above). However, we are bound to get at least a few questions on these, so it's a good idea to highlight or underline the location of these comparisons. We can do so by highlighting or underlining comparative words like "both" (P1, S2), "similar" (P2, S4), "while" (P3, S2), and "rather" (P3, S6).
Last Thoughts?
This passage highlights fundamental differences between the trickster and the picaro. To save us from some passage-research sessions, it can help if we try to remember a few distinctions drawn between the two figures. We don't need to memorize all the details, just a few important ones. If memorization isn't your strong suit, you can even write a T-chart on your scratch paper with these salient differences. We recommend that you try to remember that the picaro is satirical, openly engages in vices, and exposes society's hypocrisies. We also recommend that you remember the trickster is mythical, possesses human flaws, and attempts to instruct people on how not to behave. Remembering these few key details might save you some time and fact-finding missions as you progress through the questions.
Question prompt
The passage provides the
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
Social Science
Answer choices
-
AThe picaro has the Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice A is not credited
Does this answer choice say that members of society believe the picaro's freedom risks exposing their hypocrisy or the fact they indulge in similar vices? Nope. For that reason, efficient test-takers would table or eliminate this answer choice, without unnecessarily taking the time to review the passage to confirm that (A) is incorrect.
If we needed to review the passage to eliminate (A), we wouldn't find any support for the claim that the picaro might inflict physical injury on society. Just because society views the picaro's freedom as "dangerous" does mean that the danger involves physical injury. In fact, the author claims the picaro's impulses are "innocent" (P2, S3), suggesting that the picaro isn't at risk of injuring anyone. -
BThe picaro threatens to Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice B is not credited
Does this answer choice say that members of society believe the picaro's freedom risks exposing their hypocrisy or the fact they indulge in similar vices? Negative. So, experienced test-takers would table or eliminate this answer choice, not waste time reviewing the passage to see if "political structures" were mentioned.
If we had to research the passage, we'd find that the second paragraph never mentions "political structures" or anything like that. The only reasons given for society's perception of the picaro are the picaro's open indulgences and society's hypocrisy. That means the passage doesn't provide any support for (B). -
CThe picaro has been Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice C is not credited
Does this answer choice say that members of society believe the picaro's freedom risks exposing their hypocrisy or the fact they indulge in similar vices? Again, no. So, expert test-takers would table or eliminate this answer choice rather than spend time reviewing the passage to see if (C) is supported.
Still, many test-takers choose (C) — especially those who simply review the sentence in which "dangerous, disruptive freedom" is mentioned without considering what this question stem is asking. This sentence describes marginalizing the picaro from conventional society (P2, S6). However, it says society marginalizes the picaro because it views the picaro's freedom as dangerous and disruptive. (C) implies that society views the picaro's freedom as dangerous and disruptive because it marginalized the picaro. Therefore, (C) reverses the cause-and-effect relationship stated by the passage. So, (C) is factually untrue, meaning it doesn’t state not why society views the picaro's freedom as dangerous and disruptive. -
DThe picaro threatens to Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice D matches the stem
Question Type:
Minor Point/Must Be True
Strategy Overview:
Refer to notes or what you highlighted/underline to locate where the passage discusses the society portrayed in picaresque novels, and refer to the relevant part of the passage as needed to find that answer choice that must be true
Answer Anticipation:
For questions that ask us to infer, from a few details in the passage, an answer choice that must be true, quickly finding and reviewing that piece of information is critical. That is why we make brief notes describing the role of each paragraph and highlight or underline definitions and the minor Meta-Structures — doing so helps us find the salient information efficiently and reliably. Once we review that part of the passage, we can look through the answer choices to see which one is best supported by what we reviewed. Since the question stem asks us to make an inference, the correct answer probably won't restate something from the passage. Instead, the question will likely require us to draw a connection between a few different pieces of information.
Here, the question asks us why conventional society, as portrayed in picaresque novels, perceives the picaro as representing dangerous, disruptive freedom. So, where does this reason show up in the passage? One of our notes for the second paragraph is, "Support: Background on picaro." So, the reason is almost certainly located there. Additionally, we might recall the question stem's reference "dangerous, disruptive freedom" is lifted directly from the passage. A CTRL/Command + F search will immediately allow us to locate the relevant portion of the passage. Of course, we need to make an inference to answer this question, so we'll need to review more than just one line.
At the end of the second paragraph, the author says that, to society, the picaro represents dangerous, disruptive freedom (P2, S6). Right before that, the author says the picaro enthusiastically and openly indulgences in vices that members of society privately indulge in, exposing the hypocrisy of conventional society (P2, S4-5). Because society views picaro's freedom as dangerous and disruptive, it marginalizes the picaro (P2, S6). Since members of society react to the picaro by marginalizing him, they must believe the picaro's freedom risks exposing their hypocrisy or the fact they indulge in similar vices. The correct answer will likely say something along these lines.
Answer Choice Explanation:
Does this answer choice say that members of society believe the picaro's freedom risks exposing their hypocrisy or the fact they indulge in similar vices? Yes! It says that the picaro forces society to face its hypocrisy, which is very similar to "risk exposing" society's hypocrisy. Well-prepared test-takers would quickly select this one. Some may even opt to pass over (E) and move to Question 9 since this closely matches their anticipation.
Key Takeaway:
Answer choice (C) is very tempting, and many choose it erroneously. If you chose (C), consider why you selected it. Was it just because it sounded like a quote from the passage that appeared near "dangerous, disruptive freedom"? If so, you're probably engaging in a habit that recent Reading Comprehension passages punish with impunity. Recent Minor Detail questions typically require test-takers to understand the ideas implied by entire paragraphs. The correct answers generally do not hand-deliver direct quotes from the passage. Test-takers must synthesize information described across these paragraphs to answer such questions correctly. Test-takers who merely search for phrases from the passage, rather than attempting to draw connections from the information stated by the passage, tend to struggle with recent Minor Point questions. -
EThe picaro suffers no Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice E is not credited
Does this answer choice say that members of society believe the picaro's freedom risks exposing their hypocrisy or the fact they indulge in similar vices? Yet again, no. Assuming they hadn't already selected (D), experienced test-takers would table or eliminate this answer choice rather than spend time reviewing the passage to see if (E) is supported.
If we had to check the passage to confirm that (E) is incorrect, we'd see that this answer choice is factually untrue. The picaro does suffer consequences for indulging in his vices — he's marginalized from society (P2, S6)! Some test-takers choose (E), assuming that the picaro's indulging in vices "with relish and freedom" (P2, S4) means the picaro doesn't suffer any consequences. While this inference is tempting, it's directly contradicted by the text in the passage. Because (E) is factually untrue, we can't say it's why society views the picaro's freedom as dangerous and disruptive.
What this tests
Discussion
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Why Answer C is the correct one? 1 reply
Started by thechamp