Q12

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

Based on the passage, the literary critics mentioned in line 18 would be most likely to hold which one of the following views of Cullen's poetry?

To answer this question, we should look only at the relevant portion of the passage (lines 18-23). Before that point, we are not looking at the opinion of "the literary critics" mentioned in the question stem. After line 23 we are given information about another set of more critical critics.

So the answer should reflect the text of (lines 18-23). The critics claim that Cullen's artful use of diction and a rhythm and sonority allowed him to capture the atmosphere typical of the English ballad. We know that Cullen wasn't writing an English ballad, but rather an American poem. This implies that the form of the English ballad can be successfully adapted to different contexts.

Answer choice (B) reflects information in the preceding paragraph and not the voice of the literary critics mentioned in line 18. Thus, we cannot say that this represents the literary critics view.

[DSintsirmas]

As an FYI to any future test takers who come across this question listing looking for an explanation - the listed 'correct' answer here is incorrect. The correct answer for question 12, on preptest 41, is A. Happy studying!

[ohthatpatrick]

Thanks for bringing this weird post to our attention! I don't think there actually IS a correct answer listed here.

Matt discusses the reasons why (A) is correct (without ever saying that A is correct) and then discusses a reason why (B) is wrong.

I think he must have been responding to a post that asked, "Why is it A, not B?" and somehow that original post is lost.

Anyway, tidying up all the wrong answers ...

(B) Nothing in 18-23 discusses Cullen's upbringing.

(C) This seems like the opposite of 18-23. These critics are PRAISING Cullen for his use of previous poetic styles.

(D) There's nothing to justify the extreme/limiting claim that "it's BEST suited to racial concerns"

(E) Nothing about racial concerns at all in 18-23.