LSAT 103 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q20

LR Question 20 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Only poetry cannot be translated well, and therefore…

QUESTION TYPE: Most Strongly Supported – Exception

FACTS:

1. Everything except poetry can be translated well.
2. Poetry helps us preserve languages, by forcing us to learn foreign languages if we want to read foreign poems and see their beauty.

ANALYSIS: The first five words eliminate answers A, C and E. Poetry can’t be translated well.

The second sentence eliminates answer choice D.

___________

1. The first five words tell us this is true. Only poetry can’t be translated well.
2. CORRECT. We don’t know why people write poetry. Poetry has the effect of preserving a language, but that might not be poetry’s purpose.
3. This is true at least for translations of poetry. Poetry can’t be translated well.
4. If this weren’t true, then we could see the beauty of foreign poetry without learning a foreign language.
5. This is true in the case of poetry – it can’t be translated well.

Recap: The question begins with “Only poetry cannot be translated well, and therefore”. It is a Most Strongly Supported question. Learn more about LSAT MSS questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.