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- Sat Jul 01, 2017 12:32 pm
#36744
Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14636)
Specific Reference, Function. The correct answer choice is (C)
Since this question specifically refers to the third paragraph, it is once again advantageous to have an
understanding of the structure of the passage. The third paragraph provides examples of the integral role
of the Chinese settlers on the landscape, which is what we should prephrase, before moving on to the
answer choices.
Answer choice (A): The examples in the third paragraph illustrate that Chinese settlers were atypical,
and the author doesn’t examine their settlement patterns.
Answer choice (B): It seems true that there is little written evidence of the practices of the Chinese
settlers. But this is not because such records didn’t survive, but because the Chinese settlers simply
didn’t leave “a self-conscious written record” (lines 21-27).
Further, since the question is about the function of the third paragraph, we can confidently eliminate this
incorrect answer choice.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. The author argues that considering the Chinese
perspective on the landscape is critical to understanding the transformation of the US Pacific Coast. The
third paragraph develops that argument by showing how the Chinese perspective was distinctive from
the European perspective.
Answer choice (D): This answer choice is incorrect, since no debate among the historiographers is even
alluded to in the passage. On the contrary, there appears to be a consensus among historiographers that
new sources must be considered to have a more complete perspective on the development of the region.
Answer choice (E): The author’s claim is not that the new source of evidence is inconsistent with
traditional accounts, but rather that information about the actions of the Chinese settlers would
complement the sources already considered. The new sources, when considered along with the
traditional, would offer a more complete historiography.
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14636)
Specific Reference, Function. The correct answer choice is (C)
Since this question specifically refers to the third paragraph, it is once again advantageous to have an
understanding of the structure of the passage. The third paragraph provides examples of the integral role
of the Chinese settlers on the landscape, which is what we should prephrase, before moving on to the
answer choices.
Answer choice (A): The examples in the third paragraph illustrate that Chinese settlers were atypical,
and the author doesn’t examine their settlement patterns.
Answer choice (B): It seems true that there is little written evidence of the practices of the Chinese
settlers. But this is not because such records didn’t survive, but because the Chinese settlers simply
didn’t leave “a self-conscious written record” (lines 21-27).
Further, since the question is about the function of the third paragraph, we can confidently eliminate this
incorrect answer choice.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. The author argues that considering the Chinese
perspective on the landscape is critical to understanding the transformation of the US Pacific Coast. The
third paragraph develops that argument by showing how the Chinese perspective was distinctive from
the European perspective.
Answer choice (D): This answer choice is incorrect, since no debate among the historiographers is even
alluded to in the passage. On the contrary, there appears to be a consensus among historiographers that
new sources must be considered to have a more complete perspective on the development of the region.
Answer choice (E): The author’s claim is not that the new source of evidence is inconsistent with
traditional accounts, but rather that information about the actions of the Chinese settlers would
complement the sources already considered. The new sources, when considered along with the
traditional, would offer a more complete historiography.