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- Sat Jul 01, 2017 11:45 am
#36728
Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14619)
The correct answer choice is (B)
Remember, the author is a supporter of reader-response theory and would likely advocate that literary
texts are subject to multiple interpretations and that literary theories can be used to “uncover hitherto
unnoticed dimensions of the text” (lines 43-44).
Answer choice (A): The author writes that reader-response theory gives rise to the probability of varying
interpretations. However, these interpretations are not necessarily contradictory, nor inevitable. The word
“any” in this answer choice is also a red flag. Be very wary of choosing answer choices with absolute
language unless the tone of the passage is similarly absolute.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. In paragraph two, the author writes that a
method is needed “to discern and make use of the rich stock of meanings created in encounters between
texts and readers” (lines 38-40). The author also writes that reader-response theory can “uncover hitherto
unnoticed dimensions of a text” (lines 43-44) and is “is useful in understanding the works” (line 57).
Each of these claims provides evidence that the author believes a literary theory should broaden and
enhance the understanding that can be gained from a work. This answer choice is further strengthened
by saying “A purpose…” rather than “The purpose…,” which is much more absolute.
Answer choice (C): This answer choice is only partially correct. The author of the passage would
certainly agree that a literary theory should provide valid methods for interpreting texts. However, it is
the proponents of formalism who argue for strictly objective methods and the author is certainly not a
proponent of formalism.
Answer choice (D): Notice that this answer choice begins, “The purpose …” This construction
dramatically increases the burden of proof necessary for choosing this answer choice. For this to be the
correct answer choice, the author must be most likely to agree that this is the only purpose of a literary
theory. Of course, making “clear the intended meaning of the author of a work” is an aim of formalists
described in paragraph two and is not the author’s conception of the purpose of a literary theory.
Answer choice (E): This answer choice is also only partially correct. The author would be likely to agree
that no literary theory has a monopoly on meaning (line 18), but he or she would not be likely to agree
that this is a reason for avoiding the use of literary theories altogether.
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14619)
The correct answer choice is (B)
Remember, the author is a supporter of reader-response theory and would likely advocate that literary
texts are subject to multiple interpretations and that literary theories can be used to “uncover hitherto
unnoticed dimensions of the text” (lines 43-44).
Answer choice (A): The author writes that reader-response theory gives rise to the probability of varying
interpretations. However, these interpretations are not necessarily contradictory, nor inevitable. The word
“any” in this answer choice is also a red flag. Be very wary of choosing answer choices with absolute
language unless the tone of the passage is similarly absolute.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. In paragraph two, the author writes that a
method is needed “to discern and make use of the rich stock of meanings created in encounters between
texts and readers” (lines 38-40). The author also writes that reader-response theory can “uncover hitherto
unnoticed dimensions of a text” (lines 43-44) and is “is useful in understanding the works” (line 57).
Each of these claims provides evidence that the author believes a literary theory should broaden and
enhance the understanding that can be gained from a work. This answer choice is further strengthened
by saying “A purpose…” rather than “The purpose…,” which is much more absolute.
Answer choice (C): This answer choice is only partially correct. The author of the passage would
certainly agree that a literary theory should provide valid methods for interpreting texts. However, it is
the proponents of formalism who argue for strictly objective methods and the author is certainly not a
proponent of formalism.
Answer choice (D): Notice that this answer choice begins, “The purpose …” This construction
dramatically increases the burden of proof necessary for choosing this answer choice. For this to be the
correct answer choice, the author must be most likely to agree that this is the only purpose of a literary
theory. Of course, making “clear the intended meaning of the author of a work” is an aim of formalists
described in paragraph two and is not the author’s conception of the purpose of a literary theory.
Answer choice (E): This answer choice is also only partially correct. The author would be likely to agree
that no literary theory has a monopoly on meaning (line 18), but he or she would not be likely to agree
that this is a reason for avoiding the use of literary theories altogether.
