Even within a single-speaker stimulus the test makers can raise alternate
viewpoints. One of the most frequently used constructions is to raise a
viewpoint at the beginning of the stimulus and then disagree with it
immediately thereafter. This efficiently raises two opposing views in a very
short paragraph. These stimuli are recognizable because they often begin with
the phrase, “Some people claim...” or one of the many variations on this
theme, including but not limited to the following:
“Some people propose...”
“Many people believe...”
“Some argue that...” or “Some people argue that...”
“Some critics claim...”
“Some critics maintain...”
“Some scientists believe...
The structure of this opening sentence is remarkably consistent in form, and
adheres to the following formula:
A number (some, many, etc.) of people (critics, students, teachers,
legislators, vegetarians, psychologists etc.) believe (claim, propose,
argue, etc.) that...
Of course, there are exceptions, as with these opening sentences from previous
LSATs:
“Although some people claim...” (starts with “although”)
“It has been claimed that...” (drops the number and people)
“Cigarette companies claim that...” (drops the number)
The author can also break up the idea, by inserting contextual information, as
in the following example:
“Some critics of space exploration programs claim that...”
The use of this device to begin a stimulus almost always leads to the
introduction of the opposing view, as in the following partial stimulus from the
October 2003 LSAT:
Editorialist: Some people propose that, to raise
revenues and encourage conservation, our
country’s taxes on oil, gasoline, and coal should be
increased. Such a tax, however, would do more
harm than good.
The editorialist uses the “Some people propose” device to introduce one
opinion of taxes and then in the following sentence counters the idea with the
view that turns out to be the editorialist’s main point (“Such a tax,
however...”). The remainder of the problem went on to explain the reasoning
behind the editorialist’s view.
Given the frequency with which this construction appears at the beginning of
stimuli, you should learn to begin recognizing it now. We will again discuss
this device in the Main Point section.
viewpoints. One of the most frequently used constructions is to raise a
viewpoint at the beginning of the stimulus and then disagree with it
immediately thereafter. This efficiently raises two opposing views in a very
short paragraph. These stimuli are recognizable because they often begin with
the phrase, “Some people claim...” or one of the many variations on this
theme, including but not limited to the following:
“Some people propose...”
“Many people believe...”
“Some argue that...” or “Some people argue that...”
“Some critics claim...”
“Some critics maintain...”
“Some scientists believe...
The structure of this opening sentence is remarkably consistent in form, and
adheres to the following formula:
A number (some, many, etc.) of people (critics, students, teachers,
legislators, vegetarians, psychologists etc.) believe (claim, propose,
argue, etc.) that...
Of course, there are exceptions, as with these opening sentences from previous
LSATs:
“Although some people claim...” (starts with “although”)
“It has been claimed that...” (drops the number and people)
“Cigarette companies claim that...” (drops the number)
The author can also break up the idea, by inserting contextual information, as
in the following example:
“Some critics of space exploration programs claim that...”
The use of this device to begin a stimulus almost always leads to the
introduction of the opposing view, as in the following partial stimulus from the
October 2003 LSAT:
Editorialist: Some people propose that, to raise
revenues and encourage conservation, our
country’s taxes on oil, gasoline, and coal should be
increased. Such a tax, however, would do more
harm than good.
The editorialist uses the “Some people propose” device to introduce one
opinion of taxes and then in the following sentence counters the idea with the
view that turns out to be the editorialist’s main point (“Such a tax,
however...”). The remainder of the problem went on to explain the reasoning
behind the editorialist’s view.
Given the frequency with which this construction appears at the beginning of
stimuli, you should learn to begin recognizing it now. We will again discuss
this device in the Main Point section.
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