Q21 - Etiquette firmly opposes both

[bnuvincent]

I found the stimulus convoluted, could you help to explain ? I felt that the question wanted us to choose one that people behave in a civil manner, so E seems all right. Is this the case here?

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

Convoluted is the right word!

We know that etiquette dictates that potentially offensive ideas either should not be discussed, or when discussed, done so in a civil manner.

We need to find an answer choice that conforms to this principle.

(A) is not about the expression of a potentially offensive idea.
(B) is not about the expression of a potentially offensive idea.
(C) discusses a majority opinion. No where in the principle is there an appeal to what to what the majority of people think.
(D) is about the expression of what would be potentially offensive. However, the principle does not ask us not discuss such issues, but rather do so in a civil manner.
(E) conforms to the principle. This answer choice requires that a potentially offensive or controversial issue be discussed in a civil manner.

I agree this one is tough, not so much because the concepts are difficult. It's more that the test-writer uses really awkward grammar and discusses vague concepts. Does this clear things up? Let me know if there's anything else that needs to be explained!

[tzyc]

Hi,
Um, can I ask a question? About (E)...you said:

This answer choice requires that a potentially offensive or controversial issue be discussed in a civil manner.

But isn't this actually the former part of your quote?

potentially offensive ideas either should not be discussed, or when discussed, done so in a civil manner.

I'm a little confused so...wonder you mean there is either should do A or B or A=B??
Thank you

[amil91]

Hi,
Um, can I ask a question? About (E)...you said:

This answer choice requires that a potentially offensive or controversial issue be discussed in a civil manner.

But isn't this actually the former part of your quote?

potentially offensive ideas either should not be discussed, or when discussed, done so in a civil manner.

I'm a little confused so...wonder you mean there is either should do A or B or A=B??
Thank you

While what you quoted says that, the stimulus says it a little differently, it says that there are situations in which it is inappropriate, but where appropriate it should be done in a civil manner. To me D is the only answer choice that is tempting, other than E (the correct answer), but a news conference is a perfect place to ask questions to a politician about his policy, and it does not suggest that the journalists were asking the questions in any manner that is not civil. E on the other hand demonstrates both something that should not be done at a panel discussion and suggests that it is done in a manner that is not civil, can one engage in name-calling in a civil manner? I would say no.

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

Thanks amil91 for helping me out this one! I'd suggest that the critical word in the conclusion is the word "or." We do not need to establish that something should not be discussed, but rather that it either should not be discussed or if discussed, then we should do so politely.

Essentially the "or" lessons our task by advocating that we gone in one of several different possible directions.

Hope that helps!

[Mab6q]

I'm having a hard time eliminating A. If they were being unfriendly and gruff towards one another, would it be a stretch to say they were involved in malicious talk?

[ohthatpatrick]

Yeah, that's too big a stretch.

"Gruff and unfriendly" neighbors should be pictured as the opposite of
"warm, social" neighbors.

Just think of neighbors that are NOT taking the time to say hi to each other. Brusque. Aloof. Someone who just ignored his neighbors, never made an attempt to meet them or socialized, and just walked briskly into his house would be described as "gruff and unfriendly".

Malice is the desire to see badness visited upon someone.

Gruff and unfriendly is just the desire to be left alone.