Lesson 2 HW: RC Passage #11, Q #8

[moshei24]

Hi,

Would you be able to explain the answer to the question? And what the lines it refers to, lines 5-10, mean?

Thanks!

[Adam Tyson]

Hi Moshei, I'll do my best to help out.

First, let's start by looking back at the lines referenced in the question, which is always a good idea when given a specific line reference. In these lines, our author is suggesting that the critics, whichever view they take of P.D. James, may be operating with a built-in prejudice. They don't come right out and say it, but (our author suggests) maybe they think that really good literature shouldn't be all that fun? That if you enjoy a book a lot, it probably isn't truly great literature? That's what the "familiar false opposition" is - the idea that books can be either literature or else enjoyable, never both.

Answer choice C contains a variation on that same idea - great literature should place demands on the reader (make you work, be difficult, not be fun) rather than offer diversions (entertainment, fun). Whoever is being quoted in C is subscribing to that same "familiar false opposition" - if it's truly great, it's hard work, not fun.

My guess is that you may have struggled some with the use of the word "divert" in the answer. It's perhaps a little old-fashioned to talk about entertainment and enjoyment as "diversions." In modern use we would be more likely to think of "divert" as meaning to mean misdirect, deflect or distract, rather than entertain, but the idea is the same: an entertaining, enjoyable activity is one that distracts you from more serious things. In other words, you do fun things to take your mind off your troubles, your job, whatever serious things might be going on in your life.

Hope that helped, and again, sorry for the long wait for an answer.

Adam M. Tyson
PowerScore LSAT Instructor

[moshei24]

Thanks for the response. I finally went over it and looked back to the passage now. I think the main issue was that I didn't really know what those lines were saying. It's also good to know what divert means in answer choice (C).

Thank for the help, Adam!