In her 1996 history of plagiarism in English Renaissance drama, Laura

Question

Passage A is adapted from an essay by historian Christopher Ricks; passage B is from the introduction, by historian Paulina Kewes, to a book in which Ricks’s essay appears.

Passage A

In her 1996 history of plagiarism in English
Renaissance drama, Laura J. Rosenthal tells us that her
purpose is to “question differences between plagiarism,
imitation, adaptation, repetition, and originality.” But
  (5)   such rhetorical questioning invariably leads to the
required postmodern answer: that there is no difference
between these things—other than that those in power use
the opprobrious term “plagiarism” when the work in
question emanates from those whom they dislike.

(10)   Though the book is animated by a political fervor
that is clearly moral, the author writes as if a political
approach has to extirpate all moral considerations from
any discussion of plagiarism. What in moral terms is a
matter of honesty or dishonesty—plagiarism being
  (15)   dishonest—is instead reduced to “the cultural location
of the text and the position of the author.”

The consequence of a historical approach that seeks
to “delegitimize” the distinction between imitation and
plagiarism is that it demeans and degrades moral thought.
  (20)   That no moral standard is universal does not of itself
entail that moral standards are nothing but expressions of
power. Moral conventions, though not universal, may be
valuable, indispensable, worthy of respect. The
extirpation of moral considerations from political histories
  (25)   such as this one is a sad loss to political history.

Passage B

The idea of plagiarism, like all ideas, has a history.
To earlier generations it had semantic inflections and
resonances different from those we recognize today. The
varied impulses behind these varying views—which have
  (30)   themselves evolved in response to commercial
circumstances, new theories of artistic creation, and
developments in copyright law—have repeatedly
complicated judgments of plagiarism. Despite an abiding
sense that plagiarism is morally wrong, there has been
  (35)   much fluidity in the way the charge has been applied,
and virtually identical acts of illicit appropriation have been
sometimes denounced, sometimes excused, and
sometimes praised.

Christopher Ricks is suspicious of historical approaches
  (40)   to ethical issues; to him, emphasis on change
across generations produces an extenuating moral
relativism that shields the evil of plagiarism from its due
obloquy. But there are historical approaches, and there
are historical approaches.

(45)   Ricks is rightly dismissive of the postmodern
reduction of moral standards to expressions of power.
And it is also true that there has been some shoddy
scholarship that anachronistically projects modern-day
ideologies having to do with gender, race, or class onto
  (50)   historically remote controversies. Yet bad history is no
argument against history itself. To reconstruct the
attitudes of the past is not necessarily to vindicate
them. It is merely to acknowledge that whatever
we might think is the correct way of apprehending
  (55)   plagiarism—and there is hardly a consensus on
the matter even today—our predecessors may not,
and often did not, share our perspectives.    1 
 1. Both passages are concerned with answering whichone of the following questions?

(A) How did the modern concept of the author develop in previous centuries?
(B) During what historical period did moral strictures against plagiarism originate?
(C) How has the relationship between moral standards and power changed over time?
(D) What are the significant differences between plagiarism and simple imitation?
(E) How is the moral dimension of plagiarism to be understood historically?

2 
 2. The authors of the two passages would be most likely to agree that

(A) despite widely held beliefs to the contrary, there is no significant difference between plagiarism and imitation
(B) the fact that no moral position is universal suggests that moral standards are ultimately little more than manifestations of power
(C) currently widespread views regarding plagiarism are more stringent than the views held by most of our predecessors
(D) historical scholarship that focuses on changes in attitudes toward plagiarism ultimately absolves plagiarists of responsibility for their actions
(E) an inferior kind of historical scholarship practiced today has a tendency to project current ideological preoccupations inappropriately onto the past

3 
 3. Which one of the following is a central purpose common to both passages?

(A) to trace the historical development of an important idea
(B) to find fault with a way of approaching a scholarly topic
(C) to examine shifting scholarly attitudes toward a particular topic
(D) to explain why a type of scholarship has become dominant
(E) to argue that a particular book is deeply problematic

4 
 4. By using the phrase “political fervor” (first sentence of the second paragraph of passage A), the author of passage A suggests that Rosenthal exhibits

(A) a zealous determination to transform traditional categories of thought
(B) an intense ambition to exercise influence over public policy
(C) a powerful desire to foster political revolution
(D) a passionate eagerness to provoke heated debate
(E) a heartfelt support for a political party

5 
 5. It can be inferred that the author of passage B regards the historical approach of the author of passage A as

(A) irresponsible
(B) incomprehensible
(C) deceitful
(D) simplistic
(E) reprehensible

6 
 6. Passage A asserts that the inevitable answer to the question raised in Rosenthal’s book is that

(A) political history must avoid engaging in the consideration of moral issues
(B) there is no difference between plagiarism, imitation, and adaptation
(C) moral conventions are worthy of respect
(D) there has been much fluidity in the way the charge of plagiarism has been applied
(E) bad history is not an argument against history itself

7 
 7. Which one of the following most accurately characterizes the relationship between the two passages?

(A) Passage B recommends an approach to historical scholarship, and the historical analysis in passage A conforms to that recommendation.
(B) Passage B advances an argument that is undermined by the evidence offered in passage A.
(C) Passage B supports the overall argument advanced in passage A but also indicates that passage A errs in some of its details.
(D) Passage B concurs with certain views in passage A but also suggests that the author of passage A carries his position to an unjustifiable extreme.
(E) Passage B implies that all of the assertions made by the author of passage A, though interesting, are misguided.

RC Butler 2023  -  Practice Two RC Passages Everyday.   
Passage # 78 Date: 27-Mar-2023
 This question is a part of RC Butler 2023 .  Click here for Details

Source:   LSAT Official PrepTest 90   
 Difficulty Level: Will be updated after 50+ timer attempts

Aishyk97 · Answer

This passage is quite tough because of the language involved. But do not be taken aback by the individual words. Rather try to focus on understanding the main idea, tone, and flow of the passage.

Basic understanding: OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

This pair of passages features an abstract discussion and challenging vocabulary (e.g., “opprobrious,” “extirpate,” “obloquy”). Instead of getting bogged down in the language, remember to read strategically: find the opinions and main ideas, and don’t worry about memorizing all of the details.
The italicized intro tells you that passage A is by a historian named Ricks, and that passage B is about his work.
In passage A, Ricks introduces Rosenthal, who studies the history of plagiarism (Topic) and questions how that negative designation compares or contrasts with similar positive or neutral ones (e.g., imitation, adaptation). The contrast keyword “but” suggests that the author of passage A (Ricks) has a problem with that view (Scope). Ricks claims that Rosenthal will invariably conclude that there is no real distinction, and that those in power label as “plagiarism” imitative works by those they dislike. So what’s Ricks’s problem with that?

Ricks finds such an approach reductive. According to Ricks, plagiarism is dishonest, but Rosenthal’s book throws away moral judgment and instead focuses on the “cultural location” of the work and its author. The consequence is that Rosenthal diminishes moral thought. Ricks argues that, even though moral standards change over time, they are still indispensable and should not be viewed as mere power struggles (Main Idea).

Passage B (an essay about Ricks’s work) also discusses the history of plagiarism (Topic), claiming that, although plagiarism is considered morally wrong, the way plagiarism has been judged has changed over time (Scope). The author then discusses Ricks’s views. The author of passage B repeats Ricks’s concern about historical studies that ignore the moral aspect of plagiarism but suggests that Ricks’s critique may not apply to all historical approaches.

In the third paragraph, passage B’s author admits that Ricks has some valid points: the view that everything is a power struggle is reductive, and some historical work has been “shoddy” as a result. The contrast keyword “ et” signals the author’s more balanced conclusion. History can acknowledge that definitions and judgments of plagiarism have changed over time without concluding that plagiarism has no moral dimension whatsoever. So, the Purpose of passage B is to evaluate Ricks’s views on plagiarism. The Main Idea is that, while Ricks’s criticism of Rosenthal’s amoral approach is valid, that doesn’t mean the study of changing historical concepts should be discarded.

Before going to the questions, note that both passages discuss the history and moral aspects of plagiarism, and both passages suggest that moral views on plagiarism can change over time. However, passage A argues that changing views lead to an unacceptable removal of moral considerations, while passage B argues that plagiarism can still be judged morally problematic while acknowledging the changing views.

I will post the explanations to individual questions if anyone needs it.

vivek920368 · Answer

Please share the explanations for Q 2,3 & 7

Aishyk97 · Answer

Hi  vivek920368

Answer explanations:

Q1. (E) Global 
 Identify the Question Type 
The correct answer will be a general question that both passages are overall “concerned with answering,” making this a Global question.

Research the Relevant Text 
For Global questions in Comparative Reading, base your prediction of the correct answer on the Topic and Scope of both passages.

Make a Prediction 
Both passages discuss plagiarism and how our changing views on plagiarism affect historical scholarship on the subject. The correct answer should address these topical concerns.

Evaluate the Answer Choices 
(E) is correct, focusing on the way our moral views of plagiarism can impact the way we study it from a historical perspective.
(A) is Out of Scope. Both passages focus primarily on the concept of plagiarism, not the concept of “the author.”
(B) is Out of Scope. Neither passage discusses the origin of moral strictures.
(C) is a Distortion. The change discussed in both passages is not about how morals relate to power. It’s about our views toward plagiarism.
(D) is a Distortion. The book mentioned in passage A addresses this question, but the author of passage A does not discuss differences. Passage B doesn’t even raise the concept of imitation.

Q2. (E) Inference 
 Identify the Question Type 
The question asks for something with which both authors are “most likely to agree,” making this an Inference question.

Research the Relevant Text 
With no research clues, zero in on the relevant text by noting where the author of passage B agrees with the author of passage A. That’s near the start of passage B’s third paragraph.

Make a Prediction 
In general, both authors agree that views on plagiarism can change over time. At the beginning of the third paragraph, the author of p directly agrees with two other points made by Ricks (the author of passage A): 1) It’s wrong for postmodern critics to reduce moral standards to mere expressions of power, and 2) some scholarship inappropriately applies modern-day standards to historical issues.

Evaluate the Answer Choices 
(E) is correct, directly referring to the second point raised in the third paragraph of passage B, which confirms an opinion expressed by Ricks (the author of passage A).
(A) is Out of Scope for passage B. This choice states something Ricks accuses Rosenthal of doing. Passage B never makes a comparison between plagiarism and imitation.
(B) is a 180. In the third paragraph of passage A, Ricks claims that this is not a valid conclusion, and the author of passage B agrees with him on that point.
(C) is a Distortion. Both authors contend that views have changed, but neither one mentions whether views have changed from less stringent to more or the other way around.
(D) is a 180 of passage B, which claims that changing attitudes do not necessarily vindicate plagiarism (i.e., it does not absolve plagiarists of responsibility).

Q.3 (B) Global 
 Identify the Question Type 
The question asks for a “central purpose” of both passages, making this a Global question.

Research the Relevant Text 
As with any Global question, all of the text is relevant. Instead, focus on the Purpose of each passage, as predicted while reading strategically.

Make a Prediction 
The author of passage A is primarily concerned with criticizing Rosenthal’s approach to plagiarism, while the author of passage B is primarily concerned with evaluating Ricks’s views on the same subject. The correct answer should address this assessment of people’s views on plagiarism.

Evaluate the Answer Choices 
(B) is correct. Passage A finds fault with Rosenthal’s approach, while passage B takes issue with Ricks’s critique.
(A) is a Distortion. While both passages mention how the concept of plagiarism developed and changed over time, neither one focuses on tracing that development in detail. Instead, they both critique the approaches historians have used to try to study the concept.
(C) is a Distortion. Both authors admit that attitudes toward plagiarism have changed. However, neither passage examines that change in detail. Instead, they both assess how that change informs the work of another author (Rosenthal and Ricks).
(D) is Out of Scope. Neither author discusses the reasons for any type of scholarship being dominant.
(E) is Out of Scope for passage B. Passage A focuses on Rosenthal’s book, but passage B focuses on Ricks’s views and general ideas. No specific book is addressed in passage B.

Q4. (A) Inference 
 Identify the Question Type 
The question asks for something the author suggests by using a certain phrase. That makes this an Inference question that tests your understanding of vocabulary in context.

Research the Relevant Text 
The question refers to a phrase at the beginning of the second paragraph, but be sure to use the surrounding text as necessary to fully understand the context of that phrase.
 Make a Prediction 
Here, Ricks (the author of passage A) is critiquing Rosenthal’s book, as described in the first paragraph. According to the first paragraph, Rosenthal’s book is meant to question the ways people have compared concepts such as plagiarism and imitation over time. The phrase in question (“political fervor”) suggests that Ricks thinks Rosenthal is eager to convince everyone that labels like “plagiarism” and “imitation” are mere expressions of power by those in control.

Evaluate the Answer Choices 
(A) is correct. Rosenthal has a fervor (i.e., zealousness or eagerness) to question traditional categories (i.e., treat an accusation of plagiarism as an expression of power instead of a moral judgment.)
(B) is Out of Scope. There is no mention of trying to change public policy. (C) is Out of Scope. There is no discussion of creating any political
revolution.
(D) is Out of Scope. There is no suggestion that Rosenthal is trying to provoke a debate with anyone.
(E) is Out of Scope. There is no mention of or reference to any political parties.

Q5. (D) Inference 
 Identify the Question Type 
The question asks for something that “can be inferred,” making this an Inference question.

Research the Relevant Text 
The question asks about how passage B reacts to ideas from passage A. This occurs in the third paragraph of passage B.

Make a Prediction 
At the beginning of the third paragraph of passage B, the author concedes some general points made by Ricks (the author of passage A). Yet in the second half of that paragraph, the author of passage B contends that those views are not applicable in all cases. A few bad studies don’t constitute a problem with history overall. The correct answer should indicate how Ricks’s views are too broad and don’t account for exceptions.
 
 Evaluate the Answer Choices 
(D) is correct. Ricks’s views have some validity, but it’s simplistic to think those views apply to all history.
(A) is Extreme. Ricks’s views may not be entirely valid, but passage B doesn’t go so far as to claim Ricks does anything irresponsible.
(B) is a 180. The author of passage B admits that Ricks is right about some things and clearly understands Ricks’s critique, even while disagreeing with Ricks’s fuller conclusion.
(C) is Out of Scope. There is no intimation that Ricks is trying to intentionally deceive anyone.
(E) is Extreme. The author of passage B may not agree entirely with Ricks, but “reprehensible” would suggest that Ricks should be condemned for his views. That’s drastic given that the author of passage B agrees with some of Ricks’s points.

Q6. 19. (B) Detail 
 Identify the Question Type 
The correct answer will be something that “ assage A asserts,” making this a Detail question.

Research the Relevant Text 
The question asks for the “inevitable answer” to the question from Rosenthal’s book. The question is raised in the first sentence of the passage, and the answer is directly stated in the very next sentence.

Make a Prediction 
According to Ricks (the author of passage A), Rosenthal questions the difference between plagiarism, imitation, adaptation, etc. The author then says this question “invariably leads to the ... answer   there is no difference between these things.”

Evaluate the Answer Choices 
(B) is correct.
(A) is a Faulty Use of Detail. Ricks accuses Rosenthal of excising moral considerations from her work, but this is not what Ricks considers the “inevitable answer” to the question from her book.
(C) is a Faulty Use of Detail. This is Ricks’s position as presented at the end of passage A. This is not what Ricks considers the “inevitable answer” to the question in Rosenthal’s book.
(D) is a Faulty Use of Detail. This phrase is used in passage B, not passage A, and it does not refer to Rosenthal’s book.
(E) is a Faulty Use of Detail. This phrase is also used in passage B, not passage A, and it does not answer the question in Rosenthal’s book.

Q7. (D) Logic Reasoning (Method of Argument) 
 Identify the Question Type 
The question asks for the relationship between the two passages. A quick glance at the choices reveals that they describe how the passages are written, not what they say. That’s what Method of Argument questions ask about, as typically seen in the Logical Reasoning section.

Research the Relevant Text 
Because the question is about the overall approach to each passage, all of the text is relevant.

Make a Prediction 
Ricks (the author of passage A) criticizes the way that plagiarism is approached in Rosenthal’s book. Passage B’s author agrees with some of Ricks’s points but ultimately faults Ricks for going too far in decrying all attempts at the history of changing concepts.

Evaluate the Answer Choices 
(D) is correct. Passage B does agree with passage A on some counts but argues that passage A’s views do not apply to all history, particularly not on the concept of plagiarism.
(A) is a 180. The approach pushed at the end of passage B contradicts the negative views expressed in passage A.
(B) is a Distortion. The evidence in passage A does not weaken the argument in passage B. Instead, passage B uses a lot of the same evidence (how views are changing) but reaches a different conclusion.
(C) is a Distortion. Passage B does support some ideas from passage A, but doesn’t fault the details in passage A. Instead, passage B questions the conclusion that passage A draws from those details.
(E) is Extreme and a 180. The author of passage B does not suggest
that all of the claims made in passage A are misguided. In fact, the author of passage B concedes that Ricks is right about some things.

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In her 1996 history of plagiarism in English Renaissance drama, Laura

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In her 1996 history of plagiarism in English Renaissance drama, Laura

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