LSAT 15 - Section 3 - Question 02

Here we have a flaw question, which we know from the question stem: “Which one of the following describes a reasoning error in the argument?” Right away we know our correct answer has to do two things: be descriptively accurate, and describe the flaw of the stimulus. We also know what the wrong answers will do - describe reasoning flaws we’ve seen before, but don’t like up with our stimulus. Once we have a clear understanding of the questrion’s objective, we can proceed into structural analysis of the stimulus.

The argument begins by telling us about a belief held by people who support the continued reading of Shakespeare. This group argues that appreciation for Shakespeare has always extended beyond the wealthy elites because the words were loved by uneducated people. This seems to be a fine argument, but our speaker disagrees. We are told the idea that uneducated people liked the works of Shakespeare is questionable because the books they were printed on were beyond the reach of people of ordinary means.

This is where we can see the assumption being made by the speaker. Our argument concludes that uneducated people are unlikely to appreciate Shakespeare because the print versions themselves are expensive. But a print copy is not the only way people may become familiar with Shakespeare’s plays. Maybe they were able to attend a show themselves. Knowing our speaker incorrectly concludes that obtaining a print version is the only way to become familiar with and appreciate the plays, we can proceed into answer choice elimination.

Answer Choice (A) This answer choice is not descriptively accurate. This answer choice connects the popularity of the plays to the quality of the plays themselves. But our argument does not actually concern how good the plays are - instead, we are debating the groups that were able to access and appreciate them.

Answer Choice (B) This answer choice is not descriptively accurate. Although the basis of the conclusion does rest in evidence we could argue is economical, our stimulus does not come to an aesthetic conclusion about Shakespeare's works. This type of conclusion implies a discussion about the quality of the works as good or bad, which was the reason we could not select answer choice A.

Answer Choice (C) This answer choice is not descriptively accurate. Answer choice C accuses our stimulus of applying the standards of the 18th century in an anachronistically - or out of order way. Our stimulus focuses on the factual events known at one time rather than applying standards in an out of order fashion. For this reason, we can eliminate answer choice C.

Answer Choice (D) This answer choice commits a similar error to the first two. This answer is not descriptively accurate because of its discussion of literary quality on the basis of print quality. Again, the stimulus does not actually tell us whether they think Shakespeare’s works were good or bad. Instead, we are entirely concerned with how individuals of uneducated classes obtained access to them.

Correct Answer Choice (E) This is exactly what we are looking for! This descriptively correct answer choice is the only option that points out the assumption made by our stimulus. If the author concludes a lack of access because of the expense of print books, they are assuming the people of these uneducated classes had no other means to access the content.