Q20

[gmatalongthewatchtower]

Can you please help me with Q20? I thought that "various signs and symbols" indicate intricate language confirmed in line 33.

Please help

thanks

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

Remember that a question that asks for the function of the claim in the passage is more about it's purpose in the passage than the content of the claim. While "various signs and symbols" may be intricate language, the most important word in the referenced sentence is "indeed." This indicates that the author is conceding a point that runs counter to the author's view. So the function of the claim is to "grant" a claim opposing the author's - even though the author clearly thinks it's not enough to refute his/her main point. So while answer choice (A) makes sense topically, answer choice (B) is better description of the claims purpose in the passage.

Let's look at the incorrect answers.

(A) may reflect the content but not the purpose of the claim.
(C) is a bit too extreme. While the author is saying that formalism is not the preferred theory, the author is not so negative as this answer choice would imply about Reader-Response theory.
(D) is similar to answer choice (A) in that it may reflect the content, it does not reflect the claim's purpose.
(E) runs counter to the author's argument. The author is for a flexible standard of interpretation.

Hope that helps!