PrepTest 123
[lcid:3591] Prep Test 123 LSAT — Reading Comp — S4
Reading comp
Passage
For decades, there has been a deep rift between poetry and fiction in the United States, especially in academic settings;
Remaining source text redacted.
Passage walkthrough
Passage SummaryTopic: Humanities
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 4
Main Point:
Despite a long-standing split between poets and fiction-writers, a fortunate recent trend to blending the genres is exemplified by the work of Rita Dove.
Key Lines:
Lines 1-3 - A split is established
Lines 15-17 - A potential reason for the split is suggested
Lines 21-24 - The Author says the split is fortunately ending
Lines 24-25 - The example explored through the rest of the passage is introduced
Meta-Structure:
Bringing the Sides Together - The Author starts by establishing a split between fiction and poetry in the US (Lines 1-3). After he explores the background of that split, he notes that it's "[f]ortunately" coming to an end (Lines 21-22), and he highlights Rita Dove as a prime example of this (Lines 24-25). Her writing is categorized by the Author as "lyric narrative" (Line 42), bringing together the characteristics that he previously attributed to each genre (Lines 8-11). When the Author brings two viewpoints together, that resolved viewpoint is almost always the main point of the passage, reflected in what we wrote above.
Question/Answer - (Lines 13-20) Paragraph 2 explores the background of the split in the US by asking a question and then providing a potential answer ("perhaps . . . "). This question and its answer don't dominate the passage, just one paragraph, so the Author's answer isn't the main point.
Generalization/Example - The Author's main point and clearest statement of opinion is a generalization in Lines 21-22. In order to back up this general claim about an erosion in the boundary between fiction and poetry, the Author cites "several recent writers," but he then dives into one as an "important example" (Line 24) - Rita Dove. Since she forms the basis for the rest of the passage, this extended example is a key element and should be reflected in the main point. We should also remember that she's there to back up a generalization—the passage uses Rita Dove as a premise supporting a more general conclusion, not as the conclusion itself.
Last Thoughts:
When the Author brings two sides together, we need to be clear on what he takes from both sides, and what characteristics/beliefs make up the combo. Here, the Author suggests that "lyric narrative" includes all of the cited elements of both poetry and fiction, but he goes into a few examples through Dove - what her poems sound like, and what her fiction sounds like. Let's keep these characteristics in mind as we work through the questions.
Paragraph 1
- Paragraph note
- A divide is explored
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Poetry vs. Fiction - Rift in US for decades
- Grad programs and professionals a part of it
- Conventional Wisdom - Poetry - Emo; Fiction - Character/story
Paragraph 2
- Paragraph note
- Author asks and answers question about background of split
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Why are they split?
- Potential answer - US Widespread View - Suspicion of generalist/dilettantes
Paragraph 3
- Paragraph note
- Signs split is diminishing, with a key example
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Author - Fortunate that split is eroding
- Example - Rita Dove (speech and background); Germany
Paragraph 4
- Paragraph note
- Dove, and how she brings the genres together
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Dove - Little sense to split poetry and fiction
- Combo = lyric narrative
- Dove poems - Lyrical, but have story
- Dove fiction - Prose, but has poetic rhythm
Main Point:
Despite a long-standing split between poets and fiction-writers, a fortunate recent trend to blending the genres is exemplified by the work of Rita Dove.
Key Lines:
Lines 1-3 - A split is established
Lines 15-17 - A potential reason for the split is suggested
Lines 21-24 - The Author says the split is fortunately ending
Lines 24-25 - The example explored through the rest of the passage is introduced
Meta-Structure:
Bringing the Sides Together - The Author starts by establishing a split between fiction and poetry in the US (Lines 1-3). After he explores the background of that split, he notes that it's "[f]ortunately" coming to an end (Lines 21-22), and he highlights Rita Dove as a prime example of this (Lines 24-25). Her writing is categorized by the Author as "lyric narrative" (Line 42), bringing together the characteristics that he previously attributed to each genre (Lines 8-11). When the Author brings two viewpoints together, that resolved viewpoint is almost always the main point of the passage, reflected in what we wrote above.
Question/Answer - (Lines 13-20) Paragraph 2 explores the background of the split in the US by asking a question and then providing a potential answer ("perhaps . . . "). This question and its answer don't dominate the passage, just one paragraph, so the Author's answer isn't the main point.
Generalization/Example - The Author's main point and clearest statement of opinion is a generalization in Lines 21-22. In order to back up this general claim about an erosion in the boundary between fiction and poetry, the Author cites "several recent writers," but he then dives into one as an "important example" (Line 24) - Rita Dove. Since she forms the basis for the rest of the passage, this extended example is a key element and should be reflected in the main point. We should also remember that she's there to back up a generalization—the passage uses Rita Dove as a premise supporting a more general conclusion, not as the conclusion itself.
Last Thoughts:
When the Author brings two sides together, we need to be clear on what he takes from both sides, and what characteristics/beliefs make up the combo. Here, the Author suggests that "lyric narrative" includes all of the cited elements of both poetry and fiction, but he goes into a few examples through Dove - what her poems sound like, and what her fiction sounds like. Let's keep these characteristics in mind as we work through the questions.
Question prompt
The author's attitude toward
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
Humanities
Strategy Overview
Review the Author's attitude on the rift between poetry and fiction, then find an answer that matches up with it
Answer Anticipation
The entire passage here dealt with the rift between poetry and fiction. The clearest indication of the Author's feelings on the topic, however, show up in Line 21, where he calls it "fortunate[]" that the bias against writers who combine the genres is diminishing. As such, his overall view is that the rift is a bad thing and it's good that it's going away.
While the correct answer might deal with an aspect of this attitude, let's head in with this big picture in mind, diving back into the passage if we need to to confirm any details in an answer we think is correct.
Answer choices
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Aperplexity as to what Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice A is not credited
Incorrect. (Lines 13—17) The Author asks about the cause of the rift in Paragraph 2 and then presents a potential answer. Even though the answer isn't certain, in putting forward a plausible answer, the Author can't be characterized as perplexed. -
Bastonishment that academics have Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice B is not credited
Incorrect. (Lines 1—3) The rift is noted as being present "especially in academic settings," so while we can't say that those settings recognize the rift, there's evidence that they do. -
Cambivalence toward the effect Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice C is not credited
Incorrect. (Lines 21—24) The Author believes it's fortunate that the rift is showing signs of diminishing, so he's not ambivalent. -
Dpessimism regarding the possibility Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice D is not credited
Incorrect. (Lines 21—24) The Author believes that several recent writers are showing that the rift is diminishing, so he's not pessimistic that it can be resolved. -
Edisapproval of attitudes and Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice E matches the stem
Correct. (Lines 21—24) If the Author believes it's fortunate that the rift and biases against writers who cross generic boundaries is diminishing, he must disapprove of the attitudes that led to the rift. This answer is therefore correct.
What this tests
Discussion
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Answer explanation 3 replies
Started by Melody
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Why not A? 1 reply
Started by farnoushsalimian