LSAT Explanation PT 39, S4, Q7: Jorge: You won't be able to

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following most accurately represents what is at issue between Jorge and Ruth? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Disagree question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's break down the argument in the passage. Jorge argues that Ruth won't be able to write well about the rock music of the 1960s because she was just an infant then, and he believes that rock music of the 1960s was created by and for people who were then in their teens and early twenties (premise). Ruth disagrees with Jorge's reasoning, stating that there are living writers who write well about ancient Roman culture, even though those writers are obviously not a part of ancient Roman culture (premise). Ruth questions why her youth alone should prevent her from writing well about the music of a period as recent as the 1960s (conclusion).

To make this more relatable, let's use a simple example. Imagine a student who wants to write about a popular TV show from the 1990s, but they were born in 2005. Someone might argue that the student can't write well about the show because they weren't around when it aired. However, the student could counter that there are people who write well about TV shows from the 1960s, even though they weren't around then either.

The question type is a Point at Issue (Disagree) question, which asks us to identify what is at issue between Jorge and Ruth.

Now, let's analyze the answer choices:

a) This is the correct answer choice. Jorge believes that only those people who were in their teens or early twenties during the 1960s can write well about the rock music of that period, while Ruth disagrees and argues that other people can also write well about it.

b) The disagreement is not about whether people in their teens or early twenties in the 1960s can write well about rock music from that period, but rather it is about whether other people can also write well about it.

c) Jorge never mentions writing about ancient cultures, so this answer fails the Agree/Disagree Test.

d) Both Jorge and Ruth might agree with this answer choice: Jorge says that those in their teens and twenties in the 1960s can write well (so they are past their teens and twenties now), and Ruth would also likely say that those not now in their teens or early twenties could write well about 1960s rock music.

e) Neither speaker mentions the audience to which Ruth’s writing is meant to appeal, or how appealing her writing would be.

In summary, the correct answer is A, as it accurately represents the point at issue between Jorge and Ruth regarding who can write well about the rock music of the 1960s.