Q14

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

In the last paragraph, the author is talking about whether the attempt is worth it at all. Also, in the last paragraph the author does not agree with the position brought up, but rather states what others believe. Which means we cannot attribute this view to the author.

(A) is supported in lines 34-35.
(B) is not discussed. Whether an exact match can be found is discussed, but whether it is worthy of consideration is not.
(C) is the opposite of what the author believes.
(D) is the opposite of what the author believes.
(E) is out of scope. Nowhere does the author question the motives of those who attempt to translate an oral language into a written one.

[peg_city]

I have a question in regards to where the answer is located (34-35)

How are we supposed to know that this is the author's view when no where in the paragraph does he state that this is his position. He could just be giving us an analysis of the issue. When the question came up, I couldn't recall and didn't note any of the author's views.

Thanks

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

The word "desirable" implies a positive association. The author never attributes that association to anyone and thus represents his/her own opinion.

I think the best way to identify the author's attitude is using exactly this technique: look for words that canote positive or negative implications that are not attributed to anyone else. This is how you identify the author's attitude.

Does that answer your question?

[megm7267]

(A) doesn't seem like a clear answer for this passage. The author consistently discusses obstacles that, when overcome, can lead to an exact match. In lines 34-35, he/she says: "desirable but ultimately frustrating condition that no written language has ever fully satisfied."

For me, this led to answer choice (C)

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

The author says that the goal of having a written language exactly match its oral equivalent is "ultimately frustrating." To me that sounds like "inevitably" or "invariably." It implies that ultimately any one who attempts that goal will be frustrated. The passage even states that no language has yet accomplished this goal. That means not a single language.

What do you think? Can you point to a place where the author gives us hope that if certain obstacles were removed that the goal could be attained?

[megm7267]

I see where I went wrong in analyzing this now..."exactly match" is a key phrase of the selection i chose, and one that I must've quickly read over, because the author's tone does not seem to be in favor of an exact match in regards to language at all.

Thank you for clearing this up!

[LSAT-Chang]

The author says that the goal of having a written language exactly match its oral equivalent is "ultimately frustrating." To me that sounds like "inevitably" or "invariably." It implies that ultimately any one who attempts that goal will be frustrated. The passage even states that no language has yet accomplished this goal. That means not a single language.

Hi Matt, I definitely agree with your above point. But that is the reason why I eliminated (A) and chose (B). To me, "a desirable but ultimately frustrating condition that no written language has ever fully satisfied" is not equivalent to "an exact match is all but impossible to achieve". I think there is a BIG logical leap right there. Is it not? Just because it hasn't happened till now doesn't mean that it won't happen ever (aka "impossible"). I'm not saying I liked (B) 100% either, but I definitely liked it more than (A). It sounds more like that the author "doubts" that an exact match is even "worthy of consideration" since it is "ultimately frustrating" and "no one has ever fully satisfied it". It is like the author is saying: "Oh yeah that is not even worthy of consideration since it may certainly be desirable but it is so frustrating since NO written language every fully satisfied it! so why even give it a try?" whereas with (A), the author would be saying something like: "uhh yeah because no written language ever fully satisfied it, an exact match is all but IMPOSSIBLE to achieve!" Do you see my point???

[schmid215]

We actually have good evidence that the author holds a view that exact opposite of (B). "...a desirable but ultimately frustrating condition..." obviously suggests that, were it possible--in other words, in principle--a match would be a good thing.

[cyt5015]

[/quote]It is like the author is saying: "Oh yeah that is not even worthy of consideration since it may certainly be desirable but it is so frustrating since NO written language every fully satisfied it! so why even give it a try?" whereas with (A), the author would be saying something like: "uhh yeah because no written language ever fully satisfied it, an exact match is all but IMPOSSIBLE to achieve!" Do you see my point???[/quote]

I think you make an unwarranted assumption here: just because it is ultimately frustrating, it doesn't mean it is not worth to consider it.