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- Sat Jun 24, 2017 11:47 am
#36332
Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14461)
The correct answer choice is (C)
This question asks us to identify the author’s perspective in evaluating the criticism of Sarah Orne
Jewett mentioned in line 1. The author initially concedes the point that Jewett’s work resembles the
domestic novels of the 1850s, but immediately follows that statement by saying that it also differs
markedly from these antecedents (line 8). Therefore, we can infer that the author probably views the
recent criticism as initially plausible but ultimately mistaken—a prephrase that agrees with answer
choice (C).
Answer choice (A): Although the author initially concedes that Jewett’s work resembles the domestic
novels of the 1850s, the remainder of the first paragraph functions as a counterargument against that
claim. Judging from the argument developed in the second and third paragraphs, the fundamental
differences between Jewett and her predecessors outweigh any superficial similarity in subject matter
(lines 51-54). To say that the author would view the critics’ position as “essentially correct” is to
miss entirely the main point of the passage.
Answer choice (B): We have no reason to suspect that the author would view the critics’ claims as
“true.” On the contrary—the author rejects the critics’ attempt to align Jewett with the domestic
novelists of the 19th century, arguing that Jewett’s work embodies a new conception of fiction.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. The claim that Jewett’s work resembles the
domestic novels of the 19th century is indeed based on some reasonable evidence, such as the shared
focus on women and their concerns. The author concedes that this evidence is initially plausible, but
later argues that it supports a mistaken conclusion.
Answer choice (D): This is a classic half-right, half-wrong answer. The author would most likely
view the recent criticism as “questionable,” but not for the reasons cited here, which have no bearing
on the argument at stake.
Answer choice (E): To say that the critics’ claims are based on speculation for which there is no
reasonable support is to ignore the discussion in lines 4-7. Clearly, the superficial similarity in
subject matter does lend some support to the critics’ position.
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=14461)
The correct answer choice is (C)
This question asks us to identify the author’s perspective in evaluating the criticism of Sarah Orne
Jewett mentioned in line 1. The author initially concedes the point that Jewett’s work resembles the
domestic novels of the 1850s, but immediately follows that statement by saying that it also differs
markedly from these antecedents (line 8). Therefore, we can infer that the author probably views the
recent criticism as initially plausible but ultimately mistaken—a prephrase that agrees with answer
choice (C).
Answer choice (A): Although the author initially concedes that Jewett’s work resembles the domestic
novels of the 1850s, the remainder of the first paragraph functions as a counterargument against that
claim. Judging from the argument developed in the second and third paragraphs, the fundamental
differences between Jewett and her predecessors outweigh any superficial similarity in subject matter
(lines 51-54). To say that the author would view the critics’ position as “essentially correct” is to
miss entirely the main point of the passage.
Answer choice (B): We have no reason to suspect that the author would view the critics’ claims as
“true.” On the contrary—the author rejects the critics’ attempt to align Jewett with the domestic
novelists of the 19th century, arguing that Jewett’s work embodies a new conception of fiction.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. The claim that Jewett’s work resembles the
domestic novels of the 19th century is indeed based on some reasonable evidence, such as the shared
focus on women and their concerns. The author concedes that this evidence is initially plausible, but
later argues that it supports a mistaken conclusion.
Answer choice (D): This is a classic half-right, half-wrong answer. The author would most likely
view the recent criticism as “questionable,” but not for the reasons cited here, which have no bearing
on the argument at stake.
Answer choice (E): To say that the critics’ claims are based on speculation for which there is no
reasonable support is to ignore the discussion in lines 4-7. Clearly, the superficial similarity in
subject matter does lend some support to the critics’ position.