#7 - Must Be True

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=11395)

The correct answer choice is (D)

The question stem asks which of the answer choices is most strongly suggested by the information contained in the passage, which most likely means that we should seek an inference supported by the information provided by stimulus.

Answer choice (A): In the first paragraph of that passage, the author provides that Mphahlele’s work blurs the line between autobiography and fiction, so this answer choice is incorrect.

Answer choice (B): It may be true that the literary critics referred to in the passage are largely compelled to find distinct literary categories, but it is not necessarily true that Mphahlele’s social vision is irrelevant to these critics.

Answer choice (C): While this may be true, it is not discussed or implied in the passage, so this answer choice is incorrect.

Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. Since the author of the passage mentions that many criticize Mphahlele for failing to provide a plan to bring about his vision, it seems logical to infer that more critics could find his vision acceptable if a plan were provided.

Answer choice (E): The author points out that Mphahlele’s novel, The Wanderers, contains many autobiographical elements, so this answer choice cannot be correct.

[kwcflynn]

Hello!

Could you explain more why (B) is incorrect? Line 35 mentions that "the social vision that pervades his work" could possibly be vulnerable to "misunderstandings and underappreciation." Doesn't that validate answer choice (B)?

THANK YOU.

[Brook Miscoski]

kwcflynn,

Read through the end of that paragraph. The critics balk at his vision because he doesn't explain how to achieve it, not because they think it is irrelevant.

Generally speaking, you shouldn't have to work too hard to justify an answer choice. Critics misunderstanding something or underappreciating it is just not strong support for the word "irrelevant." D, the correct choice, hits directly on what was discussed--explaining how to achieve the vision.

[queenbee]

Hi
I selected B as well. Would you say that "irrelevant" was too strong of a word? I also felt it was a leap for D. I didnt see where the critics said they would have been more accepting if the author provided a roadmap. I am getting a little confused when we can make an interpretation and when we need to see the exact references in the passage. Any chance you can help here?
Thank you

[Luke Haqq]

Hi queenbee!

Happy to address answer choices (B) and (D).

To begin, this is a must be true question, so the answer choice isn't merely something that might be the case, probably or even likely be the case based on the passage but rather is something required by information in the passage. In general, it should be possible to confirm that one has selected the correct answer choice for such a question by finding specific line references to substantiate the answer choice.

You ask,

I selected B as well. Would you say that "irrelevant" was too strong of a word?

Yes, the word "irrelevant" in answer choice (B) seems a bit strong. Answer choice (B) states, "The social vision contained in a work is irrelevant to critics who feel compelled to find distinct categories in which to place literary works." We know that there are critics who "feel compelled to find distinct categories"--something like this is mentioned in the first sentence of the passage, and we know that some fail to appreciate the social vision in Mphahlele's work. But there's nothing in the passage stating or implying the strong claim made in answer choice (B). In addition, the answer choice is also too strong for referring to "a" work. The answer choice is thus making a claim about any work, which is more than what we can know based on the passage.

Answer choice (D), by contrast, is making a considerably weaker claim than (B). Rather than the strong, unqualified verb that something "is" irrelevant, as in (B), answer choice (D) is making a weaker claim about what "might" be the case. Answer choice (D) states, "If Mphahlele were to provide direction as to how his vision of the future might be realized, more critics might find this vision acceptable." We are told that his lack of a roadmap is a reason that critics balk at his social vision (lines 38-40). In other words, this lack of a roadmap is an obstacle to them approving of his social vision. It follows that providing such a roadmap would remove an obstacle for their approval. Removing the obstacle doesn't mean they would necessarily approve, however, even if making it more likely. Consequently this information only supports the weaker conclusion that "more critics might find this vision acceptable" if Mphahlele provided a roadmap.