LSAT Explanation PT 26, S3, Q11: Linsey has been judged to be

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The passage presents an argument about Linsey, a songwriter who has been judged as a bad songwriter due to her disjointed and subjective lyrics. The author argues that this judgment is ill-founded because many modern novelists, who are considered good writers, also have disjointed and subjective writings.

The structure of the argument is as follows:

Premise: Linsey's lyrics are disjointed and subjective.

Premise: Modern novelists, considered good writers, have disjointed and subjective writings.

Conclusion: Judging Linsey as a bad songwriter based on her disjointed and subjective lyrics is ill-founded.

To make this more relatable, let's use an example. Suppose Linsey is a chef who has been judged as a bad chef because she uses unusual and unconventional ingredients. The author argues that this judgment is ill-founded because many renowned chefs also use unusual and unconventional ingredients in their dishes.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument would be: "Are the criteria used to judge songwriters the same as those used to judge modern novelists?"

Now, let's discuss the answer choices for this Necessary Assumption question.

A) Disjointed and subjective writing has a comparable effect in modern novels and in songs.

This answer choice addresses the gap in the argument by assuming that the effect of disjointed and subjective writing is the same in both novels and songs. Thus, if it is acceptable in novels, it should also be acceptable in songs. This is the correct answer.

B) Some readers do not appreciate the subtleties of the disjointed and subjective style adopted by modern novelists.

This answer choice focuses on the opinions of readers, which is irrelevant to the argument. The argument is about the criteria used to judge songwriters and novelists, not about the opinions of readers. This answer choice can be eliminated.

C) Song lyrics that are disjointed and subjective have at least as much narrative structure as any other song lyrics do.

This answer choice focuses on the narrative structure of songs, which is not discussed in the passage. Additionally, it does not connect the criteria used to judge songs and novels. This answer choice can be eliminated.

D) A disjointed and subjective style of writing is usually more suitable for novels and song lyrics than it is for any other written works.

This answer choice brings in extraneous information by comparing novels and song lyrics to other written works. The argument is about the criteria used to judge songwriters and novelists, not about the suitability of disjointed and subjective writing for other written works. This answer choice can be eliminated.

E) The quality of Linsey's songs is better judged by the quality of their lyrics than by the quality of their musical form.

This answer choice does not address the connection between the criteria used to judge novels and songs. It focuses on the quality of Linsey's songs, which is not the main concern of the argument. This answer choice can be eliminated.

In conclusion, the correct answer is A, as it addresses the gap in the argument by assuming that disjointed and subjective writing has a comparable effect in both modern novels and songs.