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- Sat Jul 01, 2017 11:37 am
#36725
Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14619)
The correct answer choice is (E)
The correct answer choice must describe the author’s negative, albeit tempered, view of formalism.
Answer choice (A): Though the passage has a scholarly tone, even a causal reading indicates that the
author was not neutral toward formalism.
Answer choice (B): The term “grudging” suggests that the author respects formalism in spite of him or
herself. Although the author devotes nearly an entire paragraph to describing the views of formalism,
there is no indication that the author admires or respects those views.
Answer choice (C): Whereas answer choice (A) suggests that the author had no stance toward formalism
and answer choice (B) suggests that the author had a positive stance, this answer choice correctly
indicates the author’s negative stance toward formalism. However, it is difficult to characterize any
aspect of this passage as “thoughtless.” The author explores both approaches in relative depth and clearly
indicates a rationale for rejecting formalism.
Answer choice (D): Because the author takes a definite stance on this issue, his attitude toward
formalism cannot be described as “ambivalence.”
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. Like answer choice (C), this answer choice
correctly denotes the author’s negative stance toward formalism. Unlike answer choice (C), however,
this answer choice also credits the author with a rational approach. Among the author’s reasons for
dismissing formalism are his or her belief that formalism is “unnecessarily narrow” and the belief that
formalism does not fully enable critics to discern and make use of the rich stock of meanings in a text.
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14619)
The correct answer choice is (E)
The correct answer choice must describe the author’s negative, albeit tempered, view of formalism.
Answer choice (A): Though the passage has a scholarly tone, even a causal reading indicates that the
author was not neutral toward formalism.
Answer choice (B): The term “grudging” suggests that the author respects formalism in spite of him or
herself. Although the author devotes nearly an entire paragraph to describing the views of formalism,
there is no indication that the author admires or respects those views.
Answer choice (C): Whereas answer choice (A) suggests that the author had no stance toward formalism
and answer choice (B) suggests that the author had a positive stance, this answer choice correctly
indicates the author’s negative stance toward formalism. However, it is difficult to characterize any
aspect of this passage as “thoughtless.” The author explores both approaches in relative depth and clearly
indicates a rationale for rejecting formalism.
Answer choice (D): Because the author takes a definite stance on this issue, his attitude toward
formalism cannot be described as “ambivalence.”
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. Like answer choice (C), this answer choice
correctly denotes the author’s negative stance toward formalism. Unlike answer choice (C), however,
this answer choice also credits the author with a rational approach. Among the author’s reasons for
dismissing formalism are his or her belief that formalism is “unnecessarily narrow” and the belief that
formalism does not fully enable critics to discern and make use of the rich stock of meanings in a text.