Q27

[lhermary]

I have a hard time seeing why E is right here when it is only talked about for little more than 1 paragraph.

I picked D

Thanks

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

I think the reason why answer choice (E) seemed to only be present in a little more than 1 paragraph is that you focused on the part of answer choice (E) mentioning the "shortcomings" which are predominantly discussed at the end of the passage. But the reasoning behind each of the theories is presented from the beginning of the second paragraph.

I think for a question like this it would really help if you practice building a passage map. This would be mine for this passage:

P1: a phenomenon is observed
P2: 3 different theories are introduced
P3: explanations of the 3 theories are provided
P4: criticisms of the 3 theories are made
P5: the author agrees with the criticisms

So in effect the author is outlining and then criticizing the 3 different theories over the course of the passage - best expressed in answer choice (E).

Let's look at the incorrect answers:

(A) is unsupported. The author does provide 3 theories and does seem to want to explain the phenomenon, but does not discuss why explaining it is so important.
(B) is unsupported. The author discusses 3 different theories, but they are not offered by the author and are not necessarily new.
(C) is unsupported. There is no shift in a theoretical debate. While there might be a debate, mostly the 3 different theories are simply presented and then challenged.
(D) may be tempting, but only if you see that fact that according to the author all 3 theories fail as being unity of the three theories. More accurately, they're all wrong, and yet still different.

Hope that helps!

[wang0822]

I have a question regarding to choice (B), although I know it is incorrect.

So the three theories in paragraph 2 are new or classical? I suppose they cannot be both. The first sentence of paragraph 2 states they are classical. But why the last sentence of paragraph 1 states that NEW theories of social movements are being discussed...?

Thank you in advance for any inputs!

[timmydoeslsat]

I have a question regarding to choice (B), although I know it is incorrect.

So the three theories in paragraph 2 are new or classical? I suppose they cannot be both. The first sentence of paragraph 2 states they are classical. But why the last sentence of paragraph 1 states that NEW theories of social movements are being discussed...?

Thank you in advance for any inputs!

In this context, the author is discussing that these new theories are vying to become the "classical" or "standard" as to serve as the model for understanding the social movement.

"Classical" here is used in reference to acting as a model for others. Think of it as those theories competing to be the orthodoxy of understanding the psychology behind the movement.

Those three theories each have differing explanations behind the reason for the involvement of people.