- Sun Jan 20, 2013 12:00 am
#25340
Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=10510)
The correct answer choice is (D)
This is a relatively challenging question because of the open-ended nature of the question stem. As with most questions in this passage, prephrasing a correct answer choice will be difficult. Instead, try to eliminate any answer choice that cannot be proven by the passage, and examine in detail any remaining contenders.
Answer choice (A): While proverbs are sometimes used to inculcate table manners, there is no evidence that such proverbs are primarily intended to foster ethnic ties.
Answer choice (B): This is an attractive answer choice, because proverbs do provide Mexican American communities with a means of enhancing young people’s familiarity with their heritage (lines 50-54). This does not mean, however, that the frequent use of proverbs within any community would function in the exact same way. This answer choice contains an exaggeration and is therefore incorrect.
Answer choice (C): The accuracy of this statement cannot be confirmed based on the passage, because the author makes no mention of how Spanish speakers throughout the world use proverbs.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. Proverbs are sayings that do not require a specific verbal context to be understood (lines 5-6) but whose meaning varies depending on the social context in which they are used (lines 15-16).
Answer choice (E): Although the instructional use of proverbs seems to be much more prominent in Mexican tradition than in English-speaking traditions (lines 22-24), we have no way of comparing the regulation of peer-group relationships in Mexican American communities to that of other communities within the United States. It is entirely possible that all ethnic communities in the United States regulate peer-group relationships.
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=10510)
The correct answer choice is (D)
This is a relatively challenging question because of the open-ended nature of the question stem. As with most questions in this passage, prephrasing a correct answer choice will be difficult. Instead, try to eliminate any answer choice that cannot be proven by the passage, and examine in detail any remaining contenders.
Answer choice (A): While proverbs are sometimes used to inculcate table manners, there is no evidence that such proverbs are primarily intended to foster ethnic ties.
Answer choice (B): This is an attractive answer choice, because proverbs do provide Mexican American communities with a means of enhancing young people’s familiarity with their heritage (lines 50-54). This does not mean, however, that the frequent use of proverbs within any community would function in the exact same way. This answer choice contains an exaggeration and is therefore incorrect.
Answer choice (C): The accuracy of this statement cannot be confirmed based on the passage, because the author makes no mention of how Spanish speakers throughout the world use proverbs.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. Proverbs are sayings that do not require a specific verbal context to be understood (lines 5-6) but whose meaning varies depending on the social context in which they are used (lines 15-16).
Answer choice (E): Although the instructional use of proverbs seems to be much more prominent in Mexican tradition than in English-speaking traditions (lines 22-24), we have no way of comparing the regulation of peer-group relationships in Mexican American communities to that of other communities within the United States. It is entirely possible that all ethnic communities in the United States regulate peer-group relationships.