Personal names are generally regarded by European thinkers in two

Question

"Personal names are generally regarded by European thinkers in two major ways, both of which deny that names have any significant semantic content. In philosophy and linguistics, John Stuart Mill’s formulation that “proper names are meaningless marks set upon…persons to distinguish them from one another” retains currency; in anthropology, Claude Levi-Strauss’s characterization of names as being primarily instruments of social classification has been very influential. Consequently, interpretation of personal names in societies where names have other functions and meanings has been neglected. Among the Hopi of the southwestern United States, names often refer to historical or ritual events in order both to place individuals within society and to confer an identity upon them. Furthermore, the images used to evoke these events suggest that Hopi names can be seen as a type of poetic composition.

Throughout life, Hopi’s receive several names in a sequence of ritual initiations. Birth, entry into one of the ritual societies during childhood, and puberty are among the name giving occasions. Names are conferred by an adult member of a clan other than the child’s clan, and names refer to that name givers clan, sometimes combining characteristics of the clan’s totem animal with the child’s characteristics. Thus, a name might translate to something as simple as “little rabbit,” which reflects both the child’s size and the representative animal.

More often, though, the name giver has in mind a specific event that is not apparent in a name’s literal translation. One Lizard clan member from the village of Oraibi is named Lomayayva, “beautifully ascended.” This translation, however, tells nothing about either the event referred to-who or what ascended-or the name givers clan. The name giver in this case is from Badger clan. Badger clan is responsible for an annual ceremony featuring a procession in which masked representations of spirits climb the mesa on which Oraibi sits. Combining the name giver’s clan association with the receiver’s home village, “beautifully ascended” refers to the splendid colors and movements of the procession up the mesa. The condensed image this name evokes-a typical feature of Hopi personal names-displays the same quality of  Western Apache place  names that led one commentator to call them “tiny imagist poems.”

Hopi personal names do several things simultaneously. They indicate social relationships-but only indirectly-and they individuate persons. Equally important, though, is their poetic quality; in a sense they can be understood as oral texts that produce aesthetic delight. This view of Hopi names is thus opposed not only to Mill’s claim that personal names are without inherent meaning but also to Levi-Strauss’s purely functional characterization. Interpreters must understand Hopi clan structures and linguistic practices in order to discern the beauty and significance of Hopi names."   1 
 1. Which of the following most accurately summarizes the passages’ main point?

(A) Unlike European names, which are used exclusively for identification or exclusively for social classification, Hopi names perform both these functions simultaneously.
(B) Unlike European names, Hopi names tend to neglect the functions of identification and social classification in favor of a concentration on compression and poetic effects.
(C) Lacking knowledge of the intricacies of Hopi linguistic and tribal structures, European thinkers have so far been unable to discern the deeper significance of Hopi names.
(D) Although some Hopi names may seem difficult to interpret, they all conform to a formula whereby a reference to the name giver’s clan is combined with a reference to the person named.
(E) While performing the functions ascribed to names by European thinkers, Hopi names also possess a significant aesthetic quality that these thinkers have not adequately recognized.
 2 
 2. The author most likely refers to Western Apache place names ( Highlighted ) in order to?

(A) offer an example of how names can contain references not evident in their literal translations.
(B) apply a commentator’s characterization of Western Apache naming practices to Hopi personal names.
(C) contrast Western Apache naming practices with Hopi naming practices.
(D) demonstrate that other names besides Hopi names may have some semantic content.
(E) explain how a specific Hopi name refers subtly to a particular Western Apache site.

3 
 3. Which one of the following statements describes an example of the function accorded to personal names under Levi-Strauss’s view?

(A) Some parents select their children’s names from impersonal sources such as books.
(B) Some parents wait to give a child a name in order to choose one that reflects the child’s looks or personality.
(C) Some parents name their children in honor of friends or famous people.
(D) Some family members have no parts of their names in common.
(E) Some family names originated as identifications of their bearer’s occupations.

4 
 4. The primary function of the second paragraph is to

(A) present reasons why Hopi personal names can be treated as poetic compositions
(B) support the claim that Hopi personal names make reference to events in the recipient’s life
(C) argue that the fact that Hopis receive many names throughout life refutes European theories about naming
(D) illustrate ways in which Hopi personal names may have semantic content
(E) demonstrate that the literal translation of Hopi personal names often obscures their true meaning

5 
 5. Based on the passage, with which one of the following statements about Mill’s view would the author of the passage be most likely to agree?

(A) Its characterization of the function of names is too narrow to be universally applicable.
(B) It would be correct if it recognized the use of names as instruments of social classification.
(C) Its influence single-handedly led scholars to neglect how names are used outside Europe.
(D) It is more accurate than Levi-Strauss’s characterization of the purpose of names.
(E) It is less relevant than Levi Strauss’s characterization in understanding Hopi naming practices.

6 
 6. It can be inferred from the passage that each of the following features of Hopi personal names contributes to their poetic quality EXCEPT:

(A) their ability to be understood as oral texts.
(B) their use of condensed imagery to evoke events.
(C)their capacity to produce aesthetic delights.
(D) their ability to confer identity upon individuals
(E) their ability to subtly convey meaning.

7 
 7. The author’s primary purpose in writing the passage is to

(A) present an anthropological study of Hopi names.
(B) propose a new theory about the origin of names.
(C) describe several competing theories of names.
(D) criticize two influential views of names.
(E) explain the cultural origins of names.

Source:   LSAT Official PrepTest 27   ( December 1998 )

auradediligodo · Accepted Answer

Hi everyone,
Got 4/7 correct in less than 18 minutes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

P1

Paragraph one states that there are two main categories of thinkers in Europe in relation to the name giving practice: some think that names are just marks (Mill) and some others think that name have to do with social classification (Strauss). But in a population in the southern US (the Hopi), names are given in relation to past social events/rituals and such names have something poetic in them

Brief summary:  2 categories of European thinkers in relation the the name giving practice and a population in the southern US

P2

In paragraph 2 we are given that in the Hopi culture a person is given different names in occasion of different occasions/rituals (birth, puberty....). Plus the name is given by an adult who is outside of the clan of the named person. The name is related to social events of the clan and/or to the totem of the clan. Lastly the name might refer also to physical traits of the named person (I.E.  Little  if the named person is a child)

Brief summary:  How names are given in the hopi's society

P3

Here the author tells us that the name chose does not explicitly refers nether to the clan nor to the social event. We are given an example and lastly we are also given that another society is characterized by a similar name giving practice.

Brief summary:  The relation between the name and the clan/social events

P4

In the last paragraph we are given that Hopi's names have two objectives: identification and relation with a social event. Plus they are opposed to how both the categories of European thinkers cited in the first paragraph classify the name giving practices.
Lastly we are given that in order to fully understand the poetic content of the Hopi's names we should before understand the linguistic practices and structures.

Brief summary:  Differences between name giving practices among the Hopi's and the understanding of such practices among the major European thinkers

Main Point

The main point is to highlight an example that differs from the common understanding of the major European thinkers in terms of name giving practices.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Which of the following most accurately summarizes the passages’  main point ?

Pre-thinking

Main point question

Refer to main point and summaries above

(A) Unlike European names, which are used exclusively for identification or exclusively for social classification, Hopi names perform both these functions simultaneously. 
 This option is incorrect. We don't know whether the europeans names are given following only those criteria (and actually we are given the there are some other theories in Europe about names but are not considered..)

(B) Unlike European names, Hopi names tend to neglect the functions of identification and social classification in favor of a concentration on compression and poetic effects. 
 Incorrect as hopi's names take into consideration also identification and social classification

(C) Lacking knowledge of the intricacies of Hopi linguistic and tribal structures, European thinkers have so far been unable to discern the deeper significance of Hopi names. 
 We don't know whether European thinkers lack or not such knowledge; we just know that such knowledge is necessary

(D) Although some Hopi names may seem difficult to interpret, they all conform to a formula whereby a reference to the name giver’s clan is combined with a reference to the person 
named. 
 Too narrow to be the main point

(E)   While performing the functions ascribed to names by European thinkers, Hopi names also possess a significant aesthetic quality that these thinkers have not adequately recognized. 
 In line with pre-thinking

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. The author most likely refers to Western Apache place names (Highlighted)  in order to ?

Pre-thinking

Purpose question

The reference is made with the intention to highlight the fact that other populations share similar traits

"  The condensed image this name evokes-a typical feature of Hopi personal names-displays the same quality of Western Apache place names that led one commentator to call them “tiny imagist poems.”   "

(A) offer an example of how names can contain references not evident in their literal translations. 
 Out of context; the reference is in relation to the poetic element

(B)   apply a commentator’s characterization of Western Apache naming practices to Hopi personal names. 
 In line with pre-thinking

(C) contrast Western Apache naming practices with Hopi naming practices. 
 the idea is to stress the similarity

(D) demonstrate that other names besides Hopi names may have some semantic content. 
 out of context. Semantic is a synonym of meaning but here we are talking about poetry.

(E) explain how a specific Hopi name refers subtly to a particular Western Apache site. 
 there is no reference at all for all we know

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Which one of the following statements describes an example of the function accorded to personal names under Levi-Strauss’s view?

Pre-thinking

Inference question

According to Strauss' view name are used only for social classification purposes

(A) Some parents select their children’s names from impersonal sources such as books. 
 irrelevant. No social element

(B) Some parents wait to give a child a name in order to choose one that reflects the child’s looks or personality. 
 we are looking for something social related and not personality related

(C) Some parents name their children in honor of friends or famous people. 
 This option might be tricky for those who associate something social related to friends and family. Here the concept of social is related to the society and significant events that happened in such society

(D) Some family members have no parts of their names in common. 
 irrelevant

(E)   Some family names originated as identifications of their bearer’s occupations. 
 In line with pre-thinking

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. The primary function of the second paragraph is to

Pre-thinking

Function question

Paragraph 2 describes the how aspect of the name giving practices in the Hopi's society

(A) present reasons why Hopi personal names can be treated as poetic compositions 
 Out of context as the poetic aspect has not been mentioned yet

(B) support the claim that Hopi personal names make reference to events in the recipient’s life 
 This option is inconsistent because, while names are given in occasions of such events, names might refer to a totem and not to the event itself

(C) argue that the fact that Hopis receive many names throughout life refutes European theories about naming 
 So far we don't see any contrast with the European's name giving practice

(D)   illustrate ways in which Hopi personal names may have semantic content 
 Chose this one thanks to POE but I'm little confused by the use of  may  as it seems to me that always names in the Hopi's society have a meaning (they might refer to the totem and sometimes to physical attributes but in either case a meaning is there..).  SajjadAhmad  can you please help with this one?

(E) demonstrate that the literal translation of Hopi personal names often obscures their true meaning 
  Out of context. Such discussions is present in the following paragraph  
 
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Based on the passage, with which one of the following statements about Mill’s view would the author of the passage be most likely to agree?

Pre-thinking

Inference question

Mill claims that names are just marks used to distinguish a person from another. Let's work from here

(A)   Its characterization of the function of names is too narrow to be universally applicable. 
 crystal clear as Mill's classification could not be applied to both the Hopi's and Apache's societies

(B) It would be correct if it recognized the use of names as instruments of social classification. 
  Still not enough since Hopi's names have also a poetic nuance

(C) Its influence single-handedly led scholars to neglect how names are used outside Europe. 
 Incorrect

(D) It is more accurate than Levi-Strauss’s characterization of the purpose of names. 
 probably opposite

(E) It is less relevant than Levi Strauss’s characterization in understanding Hopi naming practices. 
 According to Mill names serves the purpose of identification while per Strauss names are used only for social classification purposes. They are both equally insuffiient

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. It can be inferred from the passage that each of the following features of Hopi personal names contributes to their poetic quality EXCEPT:

Pre-thinking

Detail question

Let's evaluate the answer choices

(A) their ability to be understood as oral texts. 
 Mentioned:"  in a sense they can be understood as oral texts  "

(B) their use of condensed imagery to evoke events. 
 mentioned:"  The condensed image this name evokes-a typical feature  "

(C)their capacity to produce aesthetic delights. 
 Mentioned:"  that produce aesthetic delight . "

(D)   their ability to confer identity upon individuals 
 Identification has nothing to do with poetry

(E) their ability to subtly convey meaning. 
 mentioned:"  More often, though, the name giver has in mind a specific event that is not apparent in a name’s literal translation.  "

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. The author’s primary purpose in writing the passage is to

Pre-thinking

Main point question

Refer to main point and summaries above

(A) present an anthropological study of Hopi names. 
 Incorrect

(B) propose a new theory about the origin of names. 
 No new theory is proposed

(C) describe several competing theories of names. 
 No competing theories presented

(D)   criticize two influential views of names. 
 Yes, the purpose is to use the Hopi example to criticize the European views as they are incomplete

(E) explain the cultural origins of names.
 Not the main point 
 
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is a good day to be alive!

ShankSouljaBoi · Answer

Hi, kindly provide explanation to q2 and q7
regards

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

2. The author most likely refers to Western Apache place names in order to?

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

The stem takes us to the end of the third paragraph. Reading a few lines back for context, we find that the reference to Western Apache place names followed the long discussion of the Hopi name Lomayayva, a name that referred to a complicated image in a condensed way. The author then indicates that the full meaning of this name is like a Western Apache place name in that they are both compact poetic compositions. So the description of Western Apache place names is applied to Hopi names, and the description fits.  (B)  describes this relationship.

(A)  No such example is provided. We learn that Western Apache place names are tiny poems, but we never learn anything about how their literal translations compare to their true meaning. In fact, we aren’t given any specific place names at all.

(C)  While there is a similarity between the two in the images they evoke, the actual naming practices are never compared, no less contrasted.

(D)  The author is trying to prove something about Hopi names. While the quote does support the notion that Western Apache names also may have some deeper meaning, that isn’t why they are mentioned.

(E)  is a distortion. The Hopi name is similar to Western Apache place names simply because they both are like tiny imagist poems. No particular place name is mentioned in the passage.

Answer: B

7. The author’s primary purpose in writing the passage is to

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

The author begins with a description of the views of Mill and Levi-Strauss, uses Hopi names to demonstrate that their views are too limited, and drives it all home in lines

(This view of Hopi names is thus opposed not only to Mill’s claim that personal names are without inherent meaning but also to Lévi-Strauss’s purely functional characterization) .

Mill and Levi-Strauss have it wrong, and Hopi names are the vehicle for proving it.  (D)  captures this notion.

(A), (E)  Hopi names are discussed to make a broader point about naming in general. While the author focuses much attention on Hopi names, they aren’t discussed for their own sake—that would ignore the author’s overall commentary on the theories of Mill and Levi Strauss. In addition to that,  (E)  is also simply too broad to encapsulate the primary purpose here.

(B)  What new theory?

(C), like (A) and (E) , is too neutral, and neglects the author’s criticism of the views in  Para 1 .

Answer: D

This is not Official explanation rather belongs to Kaplan LSAT

Hope it helps

hero_with_1000_faces · Answer

Hello

17 mins and 35 seconds; got 1 wrong, easiest of the lot.

3. Which one of the following statements describes an example of the function accorded to personal names under Levi-Strauss’s view?

(A) Some parents select their children’s names from impersonal sources such as books.
(B) Some parents wait to give a child a name in order to choose one that reflects the child’s looks or personality.
(C) Some parents name their children in honor of friends or famous people.
(D) Some family members have no parts of their names in common.
(E) Some family names originated as identifications of their bearer’s occupations.

As per passage "Claude Levi-Strauss’s characterization of names as being  primarily instruments of social classification  has been very influential"

D)Some family members have no parts of their names in common

can it be said that when family members do not have names in common it is because they want to be identified easily ?

notshynotme · Answer

Hi  Sajjad1994

Could you provide the answer explanation for Q4?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

4. The primary function of the second paragraph is to

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

The  second paragraph  backs up the author’s claim in  Paragraph 1  that Hopi names can signify more than Mill and Levi-Strauss thought. The rites of passage example and the  “little rabbit”  example both indicate that names can have meaning. In other words, they can have semantic content, as  (D)  indicates.

(A)  and  (E)  come from the wrong paragraph. The  “poetic composition”  stuff referred to in  (A)  comes in  paragraph 3 . As for  (E) , the only literal translation we get is  “little rabbit,”  which doesn’t obscure any meaning. The name giver just thinks the kid looks like a little rabbit. Nothing mysterious there. The name with a misleading literal translation was  “Lomayayva,”  but that comes from the third paragraph.

(B)  is too limited. The paragraph does claim that Hopis receive names that refer to events in the recipient’s life, but this claim is made to support the larger claim in  (D) . It isn’t the paragraph’s main point.

(C)  goes too far. Yes, they receive many names throughout their lives, but this doesn’t by itself refute the European theories. The author’s argument is much more complex than that.

Answer: D

thelastskybender · Answer

I too was stuck in these two options: A and D. Then I asked myself, Why exactly has the author written the whole passage? Can we say that too inform us? Or should we say that to refute two theories? If you are precise, you'll notice that he start by discussing two theories and then talk about a naming practice that is against these theories, and later again, the author summarizes this in the last passage. So in view of this, I marked option D as the correct one.

vasu1104 · Answer

passage 1 = there are two group of people in europe and their thinking about naming philosophy. one group (MILL) says that names are meaningless marks to distinguish ourselves. other group (STRAUSS) says that names are for social classification. but in Hopi, names refers to much more wider context. also those names suggest poetic composition.
 overview-  two different european view about name and introduction of hopi name and their thesis about naming.

passage 2=  hopi names are given in sequence of ritual initiation. outside clan gives the name and it refers to that clan. occasionally it refers to animals and child characteristics as well. 
 overview - hopi names are given on various occasion and the process of naming and its meaning associated with other factors.

passage 3=  name giver has some hidden event in mind thats not visible in actual explanation of name. example of one name has been mentioned with whats the hidden event. this process has been compared with western apache place as well.
 overview=  names has hidden event thats not visible in literal explanation.

passage 4=  hopi names do other things simultaneously. it also presents poetic quality. moreover the hopi names goes against the both view of Mill and Strauss. it ends saying as interpreter we need to understand structure and linguistic practice to find out beauty and significance of hopi names.
 overview-  going against the two views and urge to understand structure and linguistics practice.

Que 1= we read that initial passage put the whole context upfront. we have been told that there are two different group of people with their thinking behind naming philosophy. then in the same passage, last 2 line we saw info about naming in hopi and what it refers to. the subsequent passages talks about the processes about getting name and hidden meaning about the names. the passage ends with saying that hopi goes against the earlier two group of people. and we need to understand the structure and linguistic practice to understand it.
A this is one of the point of passage but not the main idea. so reject it.
B completely off the track.
C passage is not saying that european thinkers have been unable to discern the deeper meaning. reject it.
D first part of the choice is wrong itself. so no need to go further.
E this is the perfect summary of the passage. first line of the last passage conveys the first part of choice and last line of passage one suggest the other half of the passage.

que 2= its basically comparing two images and that made one commentator to come up with name for it. it basically showing that other population has same intention.
A it doesnt say that reference is not evident in names.
B this clearly depict the meaning of the statement.
C its not contrasting at all. 
D half of it could be right but the main point was not to share that names have semantic content.
E its not about one particular name subtly refer to other name.

que 3=
levis idea of name was about social classification.
A it talks about books but that doesnt get core idea of him. reject
B it talks about personality. not at all close to actual idea. reject
C its not honoring friends or famous people.
D talks about commanality. reject it.
E this talks about identification of occupations. that conveys the social classification idea.

que 4
second passage talks about hopi names are given on various occasion and the process of naming and its meaning associated with other factors.

only option D represent it perfectly.

que 6

nothing has been mentioned about their ability to confer identity upon individuals. so D
other options have been clearly mentioned in passages. last few line of passage 3 and first few lines of passage 4 is the place to look for.

que 7
A not presenting any anthropological study.
B not proposing any new theory about origin of names
C no competing theories have been mentioned .
D passage begins with two different view and the following passage was about how one culture has different view and in last passage author actually rejecting the first two views.
E no explanation of cultural origins of names.

Personal names are generally regarded by European thinkers in two

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Personal names are generally regarded by European thinkers in two

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards