PrepTest 142, Section 2, Question 13
Critic: Photographers, by deciding which subjects to depict(25 more words not shown)
The argument's conclusion is properly(9 more words not shown)
- AEven representing a(7 more words not shown)
- BTo express a(5 more words not shown)
- CAll visual art(4 more words not shown)
- DAny interpretation of(7 more words not shown)
- ENonrealistic photographs, like(11 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Choosing what to photograph tells us something about the photographer. Someone who repeatedly chooses one subject over others is revealing what they notice or consider worth showing. Even a realistic photograph can reflect that choice.
The conclusion sounds reasonable: photographs interpret reality. But the support uses a different idea, expressing a worldview. Does expressing a worldview count as interpreting reality? That is the connection the argument relies on without stating.
What we’re looking for
We're asked to make the conclusion follow, so we can supply the connection directly. If expressing a worldview amounts to interpreting reality, photographs do the latter because the argument already tells us they do the former.
Working the answers
- A
Saying realistic representation can involve interpretation establishes a possibility. It doesn't show that these photographs, or photographs generally, are interpretations. The needed rule connects the fact we have—expression of a worldview—to the conclusion we want.
- BCorrect
Expressing a worldview is interpreting reality. The premise says photographers express their worldviews in their photographs. B tells us that doing so counts as interpretation, so the conclusion follows. It supplies the bridge without needing to add anything about realism or artistic quality.
- C
Expanding the worldview claim to all visual art doesn't give us the missing connection. Even if paintings, sculptures, and photographs all express a worldview, we would still need to know whether that makes them interpretations of reality.
- D
This runs in the wrong direction. It starts with an interpretation and tells us that it expresses a worldview. We start with a worldview being expressed and need to reach interpretation.
Imagine a category in which every interpretation expresses a worldview, but some other expressions of a worldview aren't interpretations. D would allow that distinction. B rules it out by telling us that expressing a worldview is enough to count as interpreting reality.
- E
This keeps our attention on photographs, but merely repeats that both realistic and nonrealistic ones express worldviews. We still face the same question: does expressing a worldview make a photograph an interpretation? E doesn't answer it.
More Sufficient Assumption questions
Learn the LSAT our way
Our platform drills Sufficient Assumption questions at your level and adjusts as you improve.