LSAT 144 | Section 1 | Reading Comprehension: Q5

RC Question 5 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Which one of the following aspects of…

DISCUSSION: The author praises Schoenberg’s technical accomplishments. But lines 50-56 show the author’s favorite element of Schoenberg’s music: its emotional expression.

The author says “What makes Schoenberg’s music essential”, which is pretty strong praise.

All four wrong answers mention technical aspects of Schoenberg’s work.

___________

1. No, see lines 49-50. The author liked Schoenberg’s technical accomplishments, but they say those weren’t the reason we needed him. Mozart had already started the work of creating a 12-tone system.
2. Totally wrong. Line 26 mentions “shifting chromatic harmonies”. That was the Romantic style, which Schoenberg initially used but did not invent. Schoenberg’s unique contributions came later.
3. Lines 49-50 say that this wasn’t Schoenberg’s real contribution. Mozart had already done the early work of inventing such a system. So presumably someone else would have finished the job if Schoenberg hadn’t.
4. CORRECT. See lines 50-56 and the discussion above.
5. Another technical answer. The author appreciated Schoenberg’s technical work, but it was his emotional range that the author thought was essential. See lines 50-56.