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- Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:00 am
#36335
Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14461)
The correct answer choice is (E)
This question asks us to identify the structure of the second paragraph. In many ways, this question
is similar to Method of Reasoning questions in the Logical Reasoning section, and you should
attempt to “match” the answer choices to what you already know occurred in the second paragraph
of the passage. Read closely—the incorrect answer choices often contain some elements that can be
matched, but also contain new information for which there is no support in the passage.
Answer choice (A): This is a classic half-right, half-wrong answer choice. Although the second
paragraph does consider several possible explanations for the differences between Jewett’s work and
the domestic novels, the author never suggested that any attempt at explanation would be impossible,
or that it would do violence to the unity of a phenomenon.
Answer choice (B): This is another half-right, half-wrong answer choice. Indeed, the author provides
reasons for preferring one explanatory hypothesis to another: the differences between Jewett and the
domestic novelists of the 1850s are the result of a fundamentally different conception of fiction, not
just the historical transformations described in lines 22-24. However, there is no evidence suggesting
that these explanations are incompatible with each other. The author acknowledges that historical
factors may help to explain the differences between Jewett and her predecessors (line 25), but
proceeds to defend an alternative explanation seen as more fundamental.
Remember—Organization questions belong to the Must Be True family of questions, requiring you
to provide textual evidence supporting each and every element in the correct answer.
Answer choice (C): This is an Opposite answer, since the explanatory hypotheses presented are
clearly distinct from one another.
Answer choice (D): The third paragraph elaborates upon the argument presented in the second
paragraph; it does not reject it.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. The author mentions the historical
transformations in lines 22-24, giving them a mildly favorable comment (“such factors may help to
explain the differences” [lines 24-25]). The remainder of the second paragraph presents the differing
conceptions of fiction held by Jewett and the domestic novelists as another, more fundamental
explanation for the difference between their works.
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14461)
The correct answer choice is (E)
This question asks us to identify the structure of the second paragraph. In many ways, this question
is similar to Method of Reasoning questions in the Logical Reasoning section, and you should
attempt to “match” the answer choices to what you already know occurred in the second paragraph
of the passage. Read closely—the incorrect answer choices often contain some elements that can be
matched, but also contain new information for which there is no support in the passage.
Answer choice (A): This is a classic half-right, half-wrong answer choice. Although the second
paragraph does consider several possible explanations for the differences between Jewett’s work and
the domestic novels, the author never suggested that any attempt at explanation would be impossible,
or that it would do violence to the unity of a phenomenon.
Answer choice (B): This is another half-right, half-wrong answer choice. Indeed, the author provides
reasons for preferring one explanatory hypothesis to another: the differences between Jewett and the
domestic novelists of the 1850s are the result of a fundamentally different conception of fiction, not
just the historical transformations described in lines 22-24. However, there is no evidence suggesting
that these explanations are incompatible with each other. The author acknowledges that historical
factors may help to explain the differences between Jewett and her predecessors (line 25), but
proceeds to defend an alternative explanation seen as more fundamental.
Remember—Organization questions belong to the Must Be True family of questions, requiring you
to provide textual evidence supporting each and every element in the correct answer.
Answer choice (C): This is an Opposite answer, since the explanatory hypotheses presented are
clearly distinct from one another.
Answer choice (D): The third paragraph elaborates upon the argument presented in the second
paragraph; it does not reject it.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. The author mentions the historical
transformations in lines 22-24, giving them a mildly favorable comment (“such factors may help to
explain the differences” [lines 24-25]). The remainder of the second paragraph presents the differing
conceptions of fiction held by Jewett and the domestic novelists as another, more fundamental
explanation for the difference between their works.