LSAT 140 | Section 4 | Reading Comprehension: Q9

RC Question 9 Explanation

DISCUSSION: See the passage analysis section for a full overview of the two passages. The author of passage A is very excited about the discovery of the new online video game economy. The first sentence of paragraph 4 of passage A describes Edward Castronova’s shock at finding an economy. This is strong language for the LSAT. The author of passage A is excited.

Passage B has a scholarly tone. See second sentence of paragraph 3 of passage B: “This article will argue that….policy support that result.”

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1. Neither passage is critical or apprehensive (afraid of) the online video game economy.
2. The second passage is academic. This question asks about the style of the first passage. And neither passage is dismissive.
3. CORRECT. See the first sentence of paragraph 2 of passage A “curious”, or 1st line of paragraph 3“even more interesting” or the first sentence of paragraph 4 of passage A “stared….with a shock”. The author of passage A is extremely excited about this new discovery.
4. Passage A is definitely curious about this new phenomenon. Undecided is not the right word however. Here’s an example of an undecided but curious article:
   “I don’t know about these online games. They seem difficult. Can you really make money in them? That’s so different from anything I know. Is it really possible? I bet there’s some mistake here. I definitely want to know more though.”
5. Passage A is definitely enthusiastic. They are not skeptical however. No part of the passage questions whether Castronova is correct.