LSAT Explanation PT 42, S2, Q16: There are two kinds of horror

LSAT Question Stem

If the statements above are true, which one of the following would also have to be true? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Must Be True question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's break down the passage. It tells us that there are two types of horror stories: those about mad scientists and those about monstrous beasts. Horror stories about monstrous beasts sometimes use the monster as a symbol for a psychological disturbance in the protagonist. On the other hand, horror stories about mad scientists usually express the author's belief that scientific knowledge alone is insufficient to guide human endeavors. Despite their differences, both types of horror stories have two common features: they describe violations of the laws of nature and are intended to produce dread in the reader.

Now, let's analyze the question type and what it's asking. This is a Must Be True (MBT) question, which means we need to find the answer choice that must be true based on the given information in the passage.

Now, let's go through each answer choice:

a) All descriptions of monstrous beasts describe violations of the laws of nature.

This answer choice is incorrect because it is too broad. The passage tells us that horror stories about monstrous beasts describe violations of the laws of nature, but it does not say that all descriptions of monstrous beasts do so. There could be stories about monstrous beasts that are not horror stories and do not describe violations of the laws of nature.

b) Any story that describes a violation of a law of nature is intended to invoke dread in the reader.

This answer choice is also incorrect. While the passage tells us that horror stories describing violations of the laws of nature are intended to produce dread, it does not say that any story with such a description is meant to invoke dread. There could be other types of stories that describe violations of the laws of nature without the intent of invoking dread.

c) Horror stories of any kind usually describe characters who are psychologically disturbed.

This answer choice is not supported by the passage. The passage tells us that some horror stories about monstrous beasts symbolize a psychological disturbance in the protagonist, but it does not say that this is the case for all horror stories or even most of them.

d) Most stories about mad scientists express the author's antiscientific views.

This answer choice is incorrect because it introduces a new idea that is not mentioned in the passage. The passage tells us that horror stories about mad scientists typically express the author's belief that scientific knowledge alone is not enough to guide human endeavors, but it does not say that these authors have antiscientific views. Additionally, this answer choice is too broad, as it refers to "most stories" about mad scientists, not just horror stories.

e) Some stories that employ symbolism describe violations of the laws of nature.

This is the correct answer. The passage tells us that in some horror stories about monstrous beasts, the monster symbolizes a psychological disturbance in the protagonist. Since these stories are horror stories, they also describe violations of the laws of nature. Therefore, it must be true that some stories that use symbolism (like the monstrous beast stories mentioned) describe violations of the laws of nature.

In conclusion, based on the given information in the passage, the correct answer is E.