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
Based on the author's
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
-
Aclaiming that someone supports Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice A is not credited
Does (A) describe a situation in which a term is applied to something similar, but the use of that term hides significant differences between the two entities?
Not really. An "extreme political view" isn't ostensibly similar to a "centrist political view," in the way that "trickster" and "picaro" are seemingly alike. (A) more accurately describes a direct mischaracterization, rather than the use of a comparable term that ultimately disguises key differences. -
Bcharacterizing the panda as Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice B matches the stem
Question Type:
Application/Analogous Situation
Strategy Overview:
Review the relevant part of the passage and notes, if necessary, to anticipate key features of the author's view on using the term "trickster" to describe the picaro
Answer Anticipation:
These Application/Analogous Situation questions closely resemble Parallel questions in Logical Reasoning. We want to find the answer choice structurally similar to the idea we're asked to parallel. The correct answer won't have the same subject matter as the idea from the passage; instead, it will feature many of the same elements or themes as the detail from the passage. Therefore, we should start by reviewing the key features of the element we're asked to parallel.
In this case, the passage asks us to parallel the author's view on using the term "trickster" to describe the picaro. Expert test-takers would recognize the author's view on this is the passage's main point. (In this way, this passage is sneaking the Main Point question in as an Application/Analogous Situation question.) They wouldn't review the passage; they'd simply remind themselves of their anticipated main point. As we stated above, the author's main point corrects the record. Some critics use the word "trickster" to describe picaros, because the trickster from Native American stories and the picaro in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century European literature have some similarities. However, as the author argues, the use of the term trickster to describe the picaro hides the essential differences between the two figures.
Based on that main point, we should look for an answer choice in which a term is applied to something similar, but the use of that term hides major differences between the two entities. This anticipation may sound rather broad, but for these questions, we want our anticipation to be very general. This will help us assess the elements or themes of the answer choices independent of their subject matter.
Answer Choice Explanation:
Does (B) describe a situation in which a term is applied to something similar, but the use of that term hides significant differences between the two entities?
Yes! The term "bear" is used because pandas and bears possess "superficial similarities." This is similar to the superficial similarities the "trickster" and "picaro" share. Both are flawed heroes of episodic adventures who live on the outskirts of society (P1, S2). However, the use of the term "bear" hides key differences between pandas and bears — namely, that pandas are more closely related to raccoons. This is similar to the key differences between the "picaro" and "trickster" (such as their distinct purposes). An expert test-taker would be satisfied that (B) is correct and would take an at-most cursory glance at (C)-(E).
Key Takeaway:
Anticipating and remembering the main point is crucial, even if the passage lacks an actual Main Point question. Test-writers sometimes like to disguise the main point as a Minor Point, Argument Structure, Tone, or Application question, as they did here. -
Ccalling a court decision Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice C is not credited
Does (C) describe a situation in which a term is applied to something similar, but the use of that term hides significant differences between the two entities?
Nope. In this case, the term "milestone" is used as a metaphor. (A quick review on "metaphor" for those who want it: A metaphor is a word or phrase that is applied to an entity to which that word is not literally applicable but nonetheless figuratively describes that entity. Obviously, a judicial decision isn't a stone and doesn't mark miles on a road. But, if you think that significant judicial decisions mark essential moments on the "road" of history, the word "milestone" fits.) The author never suggests that the term "trickster" is used as a metaphor for picaros. "Trickster" could be a word that literally applies to picaros — had there not been essentially differences between the two. (C) doesn't describe any "essential differences" hidden by the term "milestone,” so it doesn't capture the author's view. -
Dclassifying a species of Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice D is not credited
Does (D) describe a situation in which a term is applied to something similar, but the use of that term hides significant differences between the two entities?
Not really, although many test-takers understandably select (D). (D) focuses on the essential differences between pine trees and evergreens. Pine trees are not, literally speaking, "evergreen" if their needles sometimes turn brown. However, (D) doesn't provide any reason to believe that pine trees and evergreens are superficially similar. Sure, they're both tree species. But the trickster and picaro had more superficial similarities than just both being literary figures. They were both flawed heroes of episodic adventures who lived on the outskirts of society (P1, S2). Like (A), this answer choice describes a mischaracterization, not the use of a similar term that ultimately disguises crucial differences. -
Edescribing a common weed Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice E is not credited
Does (E) describe a situation in which a term is applied to something similar, but the use of that term hides significant differences between the two entities?
Nope. (E) doesn't describe any significant differences between the term "aggressive" and the weed the term describes. Perhaps there's some anthropomorphizing here, but the author's issue wasn't that the term "trickster" is a human word used to describe a non-human. (In fact, the trickster was the animal spirit, while the picaro was the human character (P3, S1-2).) For this reason, (E) does not capture the author's view on the use of the word "trickster" to describe the "picaro."
What this tests
Discussion
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Problem with Answer Choice B 0 replies
Started by JosephH