LSAT Explanation PT 40, S3, Q18: It has been a staple of

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain the viewpoint of the historians described above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Paradox question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the passage. It states that dramas often feature an innocent protagonist who is stymied by an indifferent or hostile society. Playwrights of these works want the audience to empathize with the protagonist, so historians do not regard these plays as serious revelations of the societies presented in the plays. The question type is Paradox, and we need to find the answer that explains the viewpoint of the historians.

Now, let's go through the answer choices.

a) The historians believe that playwrights tend to be more critical of their own societies than of other societies.

This answer choice does not directly address the conflict between the portrayal of society in the plays and the historians' view. We can't assume that "these plays" specifically deal with the society the playwright belongs to. It doesn't provide a clear explanation for the historians' viewpoint, so it's not the best choice.

b) The historians believe that playwrights tend to exaggerate the weaknesses of a society for the sake of dramatic effect.

This answer choice directly addresses the conflict. It suggests that playwrights exaggerate the weaknesses of society to create a more dramatic effect, which in turn makes the audience empathize with the protagonist. This exaggeration would explain why historians do not view these plays as accurate representations of the societies presented. This is the correct answer.

c) The historians believe that plays tend to provide useful information about the time and society in which they were written.

This answer choice goes in the opposite direction. It suggests that plays provide useful information about society, which contradicts the historians' viewpoint that these plays are not serious revelations of the societies presented. This doesn't help explain the historians' viewpoint, so it's not the correct choice.

d) The historians believe that plays often contain serious revelations of what the societies presented in those plays were like.

This answer choice also goes in the opposite direction. It suggests that plays often contain serious revelations about society, which again contradicts the historians' viewpoint. This doesn't help explain the historians' viewpoint, so it's not the correct choice.

e) The historians believe that only the most popular plays within a society accurately portray that society.

This answer choice could be used to argue that "these plays" do not accurately portray society, but only if we knew that "these plays" were unpopular. We don't have that information, so this answer choice doesn't provide a clear explanation for the historians' viewpoint.

In conclusion, the correct answer is B, as it directly addresses the conflict between the portrayal of society in the plays and the historians' view. It explains that playwrights exaggerate the weaknesses of society for dramatic effect, which helps the audience empathize with the protagonist and explains why historians do not view these plays as accurate representations of the societies presented.