LSAT 104 | Section 1 | Logical Reasoning: Q20

LR Question 20 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: A poem is any work of art that exploits some of the…

QUESTION TYPE: Most Strongly Supported

FACTS:

1. If a work of art uses the musical characteristics of language, it’s a poem.
2. Novels are art, that use language, but they usually don’t use the musical parts of language.
3. Symphonies may be art that use the musical part of sounds. But they usually don’t use words.
4. A limerick may use the musical part of language. But limericks aren’t art.

ANALYSIS: If you clearly understand the four facts above, it’s easy to eliminate the wrong answers. If you don’t, it’s very hard. Focus on understanding the facts of the question, and you’ll get stuck less often.

___________

1. There might be other works of art (paintings?). We’re never told the three works of art mentioned are the only types of art.
2. A poem only has to exploit some of the musical characteristics of language. A work of art can be a poem but not rhyme.
3. CORRECT. Any work of art that uses the musical characteristics of language is also a poem.
4. A limerick probably isn’t a poem, since it isn’t art. The first sentence says poems are art.
5. The stimulus says a symphony “may” be a work of art that uses the musical characteristics of sound.

Recap: The question begins with “A poem is any work of art that exploits some of the”. It is a Most Strongly Supported question. Learn more about LSAT MSS questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.