LSAT 148 | Section 1 | Logical Reasoning: Q18

LR Question 18 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Liang: Watching movies in which violence is portrayed…

QUESTION TYPE: Agreement

ARGUMENTS: Liang says that watching violent movies increases aggression, and therefore we shouldn’t let children watch them.

Sarah says that watching violent movies causes the audience to experience the emotions associated with aggression, and therefore get rid of those emotions. So, we should allow mature audiences to watch violent movies.

ANALYSIS: Liang and Sarah don’t agree on much. I couldn’t prephrase this question. Mostly, they’re talking at cross purposes: Liang doesn’t address Sarah’s argument and Sarah doesn’t address what Liang says.

___________

1. Only Sarah mentions this. Liang has no opinion.
2. Only Liang mentioned violence being an appropriate way to solve problems (i.e. being portrayed as such in movies). Sarah didn’t mention this concept.
3. Neither person said movies cause violence. Liang said they increase levels of aggression (which could mean, say, shouting or aggressive language) and Sarah says such movies make us feel particular emotions.

4. CORRECT. This answer is wonderfully vague, and therefore both people can agree with it. Liang thinks we understand how violent movies affect aggression. Sarah thinks watching violent drama causes people to feel the emotions associated with aggression. In this, they both agree that we understand something about the effects.

   Vague statements are always easy to agree with. Compare these two ideas:

   • American is the greatest country in the world or America is a terrible country, vs.
   • America has some good or some bad features

   Either version of the former phrase can be quite controversial. Almost 100% of people could agree with the second statement.

5. Neither person says who is attracted to such dramas.

Recap: The question begins with “Liang: Watching movies in which violence is”. It is a Agreement question. To practice more Agreement questions, have a look at the LSAT Questions by Type page.