LSAT 145 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q20

LR Question 20 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Critic: It is common to argue that there is a…

QUESTION TYPE: Role in Argument

CONCLUSION: The distinction between literary and genre fiction (i.e. interpreted vs. easy pleasure) is silly.

REASONING: No works should be interpreted, because interpretation prevents us from feeling the emotional impact of books.

ANALYSIS: This argument has the following format:

1. Opposing idea.
2. Conclusion, which says the idea is silly.
3. Evidence for the conclusion.

The word “But” indicates the conclusion. What follows the conclusion (after the dash) is the evidence. The sentence in question supports the premise that no works should be interpreted, which in turn supports the conclusion that the distinction is specious.

___________

1. The conclusion is the second sentence: the distinction is specious.
2. CORRECT. See the analysis above. Everything after the long dash is support for the conclusion.
3. Not at all.
   Example of argument: I say we shouldn’t distinguish between types of fiction. If we did that, then people would read books for enjoyment, without worrying if they were “intellectual” enough.
4. The first sentence does this. This question is asking about the third sentence.
5. Not at all.
   Example of argument: Some may say this ignores the need for analysis. That’s not so – experts can still study books, but when reading a book, people should stay open to its emotional impact.