Q1

[cyruswhittaker]

I'm having a question about a minor detail regarding the correct answer choice: (B).

I feel that the word "only" in choice (B) distorts the main point to have a degree issue. The author presents her main point in lines 30-34 beginning with "But the..." However, can we really deduce that the author feels that the works can only have anticipated new directions in artistic perception and expression? I am having a hard time justifying this.

Of course, since this is a choice that "most accurately" states the main idea, I eliminated the other choices on the following basis:

(A): Too narrow and the "common desire" part is unsupported.
(C): Opposite answer.
(D): "Incapable" is contrary to author's view that it CAN potentially express a vision.
(E): The reasoning that it was "impossible to predict" is unsupported.

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

I think this is just a stylistic flare. It's like saying that if you cannot have both ice cream and cake, then you can have only one or the other. The author is trying to say that of the two predictive qualities (stylistic innovations and social changes), these artists could only be said to have predicted stylistic innovations and not social changes.

I see your point on the careful reading of the word "only." The LSAC tends to take more leeway with language on easier questions. Since this is the first passage, give them that flexibility with language. But then tighten it up when a relaxed reading yields two answer choices.