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- Sat Jul 01, 2017 11:49 am
#36729
Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14619)
Must Be True. The correct answer choice is (A)
Reader-response theory emphasizes varied perspectives when interpreting a literary work and the correct
answer choice must reiterate this idea.
Answer choice (A): This is the correct answer choice. This is the easiest question in this section. Line
58 reads, “reader-response theory legitimizes a wide range of perspectives on these works,” which is
reproduced nearly verbatim in this answer choice. Most test takers can confidently prephrase this answer
choice and move on to the next question.
Answer choice (B): The passage indicates that contemporary ideology is not always a fair basis for
criticism. It may be appropriate in some instances but the passage does not legitimize that inference.
Answer choice (C): The authors writes that “a literary work is indeed encoded in various signs and
symbols” (lines 32-34), but cites this as an example of a premise common to both reader-response theory
and formalism. But this premise is presented as independent of either theory and is therefore incorrect.
Answer choice (D): This statement is given in the passage as a premise of formalism. According to the
passage, reader-response theory legitimizes finding the meanings of a work in the encounters between
the text and its readers.
Answer choice (E): Lines 29-30 state that “the author’s intended meaning is legible within the work.”
However, like answer choice (D), this is described as a premise of formalism. It is unclear from the
passage whether or not proponents of reader-response theory would agree with this statement.
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14619)
Must Be True. The correct answer choice is (A)
Reader-response theory emphasizes varied perspectives when interpreting a literary work and the correct
answer choice must reiterate this idea.
Answer choice (A): This is the correct answer choice. This is the easiest question in this section. Line
58 reads, “reader-response theory legitimizes a wide range of perspectives on these works,” which is
reproduced nearly verbatim in this answer choice. Most test takers can confidently prephrase this answer
choice and move on to the next question.
Answer choice (B): The passage indicates that contemporary ideology is not always a fair basis for
criticism. It may be appropriate in some instances but the passage does not legitimize that inference.
Answer choice (C): The authors writes that “a literary work is indeed encoded in various signs and
symbols” (lines 32-34), but cites this as an example of a premise common to both reader-response theory
and formalism. But this premise is presented as independent of either theory and is therefore incorrect.
Answer choice (D): This statement is given in the passage as a premise of formalism. According to the
passage, reader-response theory legitimizes finding the meanings of a work in the encounters between
the text and its readers.
Answer choice (E): Lines 29-30 state that “the author’s intended meaning is legible within the work.”
However, like answer choice (D), this is described as a premise of formalism. It is unclear from the
passage whether or not proponents of reader-response theory would agree with this statement.