#24 - Must Be True, Passage Organization

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=10524)

The correct answer choice is (C)

The answer to this Passage Organization question should be relatively straightforward, as we already know the structure of the passage from our VIEWSTAMP analysis.

Answer choice (A): This answer choice is incorrect, because the passage elaborates on only two of the positions presented in the first paragraph, not on all three of them.

Answer choice (B): This is an attractive half-right, half-wrong answer choice, suggesting that Dostoyevsky’s position is differentiated in detail from both strains of Russian literary criticism. This is incorrect. Dostoyevsky certainly disagrees with the radical critics on a large number of issues, which the author examines in full detail. The passage also alludes to another point of disagreement—that between Dostoyevsky and the Russian critics who wanted to keep art elevated above the portrayal of reality. However, the passage never differentiates these two positions in detail, making answer choice (B) incorrect.

Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice: three positions are presented, and the third (Dostoyevsky’s) is differentiated from the second (the radical critics’) in detail.

Answer choice (D): Whether the author regards Dostoyevsky’s views as superior to those of either strain of Russian literary criticism is not entirely clear. Be careful when making such definitive value judgments! While the author respects Dostoyevsky’s nuanced views on reality and literature, she does not explicitly endorse them or argue that the critics are mistaken. Consequently, we have no direct evidence supporting the claim that Dostoyevsky’s position is superior to the other two.

Answer choice (E): This answer choice should be easily eliminated, because the third position presented is that of Dostoyevsky’s, which is clearly not inferior to that of the radical critics.

[Morgan2cats]

Hi PowerScore,

Thanks for your explanation! I see why C is correct now. However, I'm not sure why A is wrong: Why don't Dostoyevsky's opinions on reality, political view, and usefulness count as three positions? Thanks.

[Jeff Wren]

Hi Morgan,

To correctly answer this question, it's critical that you correctly identify what the word "positions" means in the answer choices for this question. The three positions refer to the three different viewpoints mentioned in the passage rather than Dostoyevsky's view on three different topics/aspects of literature. Tracking different viewpoints in a passage is one of the most important parts of properly reading/analyzing a passage (and makes up the "VIEW" in our "VIEWSTAMP" analysis) and this passage in particular really tests one's ability to correctly track the different viewpoints, especially for this question.

In paragraph one, three different viewpoints are mentioned. In fact, they are specifically described as "positions" (lines 3, 9), so that is the easiest way to identify what the question means by positions. The first group is briefly mentioned in lines 3-4, "one position maintained that art stood above the present and the everyday" (my emphasis). (It's important to note that this first group/position is never mentioned again in the passage, which is the specific reason that Answers A, B, and D are incorrect as they miss this point.)

The second position is the radical critics, described in lines 4-9. "Dostoyevsky took a third position" (my emphasis)(line 9). To correctly answer this question, it's important not only to identify these three positions but also to correctly track the corresponding number (e.g. position 3 in the answer choices specifically refers to Dostoyevsky). (One good way to do this is to use the numbers 1, 2, 3 when tracking the different viewpoints while diagramming/taking notes on your scratch paper.)

In other words, since the passage doesn't discuss the first position after briefly mentioning it in paragraph one, the correct answer must reflect this. Also, since the passage does contrast Dostoyevsky's position/view with the radical critics throughout the rest of the passage, the correct answer should describe positions 2 and 3 being contrasted, which Answer B does.

Answer E is specifically wrong because the author never claims that Dostoyevsky's position is inferior to the radical critics. In fact, the tone of the passage seems to be favorable to Dostoyevsky's position, if anything.