Q6

[RichardK852]

Contemplated between (C), (D), and (E). Ultimately chose (D) on my first try and chose E on my second try.

I was thrown into the dilemma of not knowing which answer choice to pick because of the word minstrel which I didn't know. Turns out that minstrel is a generally medieval concept of musicians, and so it would be neither folk dramas or urban realistic dramas. However, I was able to pick (E) on my second try even without looking up the word, and that was because The Swing Mikado was adapted from a white classic and hired(casted) African American performers.

(A) and (B) are rejected by 'ironic adaptation' and 'challenged the audience to think'.

[ohthatpatrick]

LSAT wouldn't (I hope) ever make a correct answer choice hinge on outside knowledge as specific as "minstrel tradition".

For this question, I would be leaning on the debate context from 35-42.
- blend into mainstream / or emphasize difference from mainstream?
- aim for the black / white part of audience?
- instruct / simply entertain?

When I read about "Swing Mikado", I'm just asking myself if it's clear which side of any of those debates this would have been on.

"casting black performers in an ironic adaptation of a white classic" sounds more to me like emphasizing difference from mainstream.

And "this play challenged audience to think about .... " sounds more to me like instructing than simply entertaining.

(A) sounds opposite (ironic adaptation with race switching could be controversial)
(B) sounds opposite (challenging audience = instructing, so they weren't opposed)
(C) not sure if there's any support for "folk drama" and "exploring rural roots"
(D) not sure if there's support for "urban realistic drama"
(E) Sure! This was a "white classic" being ironically adapted with black people in the roles. Sounds like a drama written by white people but performed by black people.

I see where your lack of knowing "minstrel" may have caused you to worry you were oblivious to possible support for C or D, but it seems like E is pretty safely supported by what we do know.