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
In the context of
Remaining source text redacted.
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
Social Science
Answer choices
-
Aconforming to an original
Why choice A is not credited
Does "conforming to an original" seem related to the fact that the picaro engages in similar vices as members of society but does so openly and enthusiastically? Not really. Although this is a valid definition of "authenticity," the author never says or implies that the picaro is an original. In fact, if the picaro enjoys similar indulgences as members of conventional society (P2, S4), the picaro isn't terribly original in his vices. -
Bhaving certain essential features
Why choice B is not credited
Does "having certain essential features" seem related to the fact that the picaro engages in similar vices as members of society but does so openly and enthusiastically? Not really. This description doesn't seem related to the picaro's free and enthusiastic behavior, and it doesn't really form a contrast with conventional society's hypocrisy. Besides, this isn't an accepted definition of "authentic," which typically means genuine, original, or true. -
Cbehaving as others do
Why choice C is not credited
Does "behaving as others do" seem related to the fact that the picaro engages in similar vices as members of society but does so openly and enthusiastically? It captures the first part but fails to describe the picaro's open and enthusiastic enjoyment of vices. Therefore, this description doesn't contrast with conventional society's hypocrisy. Moreover, this isn't an accepted definition of "authentic," which typically means genuine, original, or true. -
Dinspiring absolute trust
Why choice D is not credited
Does "inspiring absolute trust" seem related to the fact that the picaro engages in similar vices as members of society but does so openly and enthusiastically? Not at all. We can safely eliminate this one. Besides, this isn't an accepted definition of "authentic," which typically means genuine, original, or true. (Although some would reasonably trust something "authentic," that doesn't mean "authentic" necessarily refers to something that inspires absolute trust.) -
Efollowing one's natural inclinations
Why choice E matches the stem
Question Type:
Minor Point/Meaning in Context
Strategy Overview:
Review the purpose of the second paragraph in which the expression is found, including the expression in question, then use the purpose and the immediate context to define its meaning.
Answer Anticipation:
This question asks about a phrase from the second paragraph, so we should start by defining the role of that paragraph, reviewing our notes if necessary. In the second paragraph, the author conveyed the main point and provided background information on the picaro. This term "authenticity" refers to the picaro. So, before we dive too deeply into the second paragraph, we can remind ourselves about a few details about the picaro. We know the picaro is satirical, openly engages in vices, and exposes society's hypocrisies. Before we even review the reference in question, we can anticipate that the picaro's "authenticity" likely contrasts with society's "hypocrisy."
Now, turning our attention to the expression in question, we can see that the passage indeed contrasts the picaro's authenticity with society's hypocrisy (P2, S5). How were the two different? As the previous sentence states, the picaro "indulges in vices and follies with relish and freedom," while members of society "secretly indulge in similar pastimes out of a habitual compulsion" (P2, S4). Members of society ostracize the picaro for indulging in vices they also succumb to — that is how the picaro exposes society's hypocrisy. So, the picaro's authenticity probably relates to the fact that the picaro engages in similar vices as members of society but does so openly and enthusiastically. Let's select an answer choice that relates to that description.
We should always make sure the answer choice we is an accepted definition of “authenticity,” which typically means genuine, original, or true.
Answer Choice Explanation:
Does "following one's natural inclinations" seem related to the fact that the picaro engages in similar vices as members of society but does so openly and enthusiastically? Yes, it does. If the picaro engages in the vices "with relish and freedom," it certainly seems he follows his natural inclinations. This contrasts nicely with society's "hypocrisy," since members of society feel compelled to hide their indulgences. Crucially, this is also an accepted definition of "authenticity," particularly authenticity's denotement of genuineness.
Key Takeaway:
We should always make sure the answer choice we select on Meaning in Context questions (1) is an accepted definition of the word or phrase in question and (2) is consistent with the passage's context. Many test-takers focus a bit too much on the second criterion. However, the first criterion is also a valid reason to eliminate answer choices. Several answers choices here — (B), (C), and (D) — are simply not accepted definitions of "authentic."