LSAT 140 | Section 4 | Reading Comprehension: Q18

RC Question 18 Explanation

DISCUSSION: Paragraph 2 are the key lines for sifting through these answers. The author uses new evidence to argue against an old theory.

That one sentence I wrote above disproves all four wrong answers.

___________

1. The author didn’t “revise” a theoretical model. The old model was that talent was innate. The author completely rejects this model.
2. Paragraph 2 shows that the author’s argument is based on new research.
3. CORRECT. Paragraph 2 shows that the author’s argument is based on new research. The “certain views” is the opposing viewpoint in paragraph 1.
   The particular class of cases can refer to one of two things: exceptional performers, or, perhaps, those exceptional performers that do not depend on innate talent. (Some cases of exceptional performance may depend on innate talent, because some traits are indeed innate, see paragraph 3)
4. The author mentioned the old viewpoints in paragraph 1, but the author didn’t mention any “probable objections” to his new theory. Any new objections would have to take into account the evidence the author refers to paragraphs 2-4.
5. The author’s theory is not abstract, and the evidence is not old. Lines 21-27 show that the author uses new research. And the author’s theory of talent is practical: it’s based on elite performance in the real world.