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91Ó°ÊÓ

By appropriating bailout money for the depressed housing industry, Congress is opening the door to a flood of special relief programs for other recessionaffected businesses. The author's attitude toward Congress's action is probably A. neutral. B. disapproving. C. confused. D. happy. E. irate.

Short Answer

Expert verified
B. disapproving

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the sentence tone and context

The sentence says that by aiding the housing industry, Congress could create a precedent, leading to many additional relief programs for businesses affected by the recession. The tone and context need to be established before choosing the correct answer.
02

Identifying the sentiment

The phrase 'opening the door to a flood of special relief programs' could imply that the author sees the potential for this course of action to escalate and bring about an excessive number of similar relief programs. This could be seen as a negative or disapproving sentiment.
03

Choosing the correct attitude

From the context and wording of the sentence, it can be inferred that the author holds a negative or disapproving view of Congress's actions. The best choice would keep in line with this sentiment.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Tone Analysis in LSAT Reading Comprehension
When tackling LSAT reading comprehension questions, tone analysis is an essential skill. It's all about perceiving the general feeling or mood conveyed by the author's words. Think of tone as the author's invisible fingerprint on the text.

To analyze tone effectively, you need to pay attention to various language clues. Words have a connotation, meaning they can evoke feelings beyond their literal meanings. For example, when an author uses phrases like "a flood of special relief programs," the exaggeration in "flood" may indicate something overwhelming or excessive.
  • Adjectives and adverbs play a significant role. Words like "irate" or "neutral" give you a clear signal of the tone.
  • The context in which words are used matters. If the sentence surrounds "flood" with phrases about negative outcomes, you can sense a critical tone.
  • It's crucial to distinguish between neutral language and emotionally charged words. Neutral tone doesn’t provide cues about the author’s feelings, while emotionally charged language does.
Mastering tone analysis will give you a solid start in understanding the subtleties of the passage.
Understanding the Author's Attitude
Figuring out the author's attitude is crucial in answering reading comprehension questions on the LSAT. The attitude reflects the author’s viewpoint or stance on the topic being discussed.

In the provided example, the author's attitude towards Congress’s aid policy can be deduced by looking at choice words and the context they appear in. When the passage mentions "opening the door to a flood," it suggests unintended consequences.
  • If the language used conveys skepticism or negativity—like implying that aid to the housing industry could open a Pandora’s box of relief efforts—the author likely disapproves of the action.
  • The use of vivid phrases helps in identifying critical or disapproving attitudes. Instead of simply stating facts, the author’s deliberate choice to emphasize certain repercussions implies criticism.
  • Understanding the author’s attitude requires piecing together the general sentiment of the passage as a whole, not just isolated phrases.
Once you've gauged the author's stance, you can zero in on the correct answer choice that aligns with this attitude.
Contextual Inference as a Key Reading Skill
Contextual inference involves using the available information in a passage to deduce meanings that are not explicitly stated. It’s like being a detective who pieces together hidden clues.

To master contextual inference, you should focus on understanding the broader narrative or argument within the passage. For example, when the text states "by appropriating bailout money," it implies there are motives and potential outcomes not directly mentioned.
  • Identify key phrases that suggest potential scenarios or consequences. Understanding these can help you infer the author's perspective.
  • Context clues often include the placement of ideas and their connections. The "flood" analogy sets the scene for potential widespread issues.
  • Remember, an inference should be logical and based on the passage, not on personal assumptions or external knowledge.
By honing your skills in contextual inference, you'll better grasp the nuances of an author's intent and argument in the passage.
Sentiment Identification in Reading Comprehension
Identifying sentiment involves recognizing the emotional undercurrent or judgment expressed by the author. This is distinct from tone, which is broader. Sentiment is about spotting the specific emotional or evaluative words used.

In the given exercise, the sentiment towards Congress’s decision is key to identifying that the author likely holds a disapproving view.
  • Look for words or phrases that express emotions—these often carry the author's implicit judgments.
  • Phrases like "a flood" can embed a sentiment of excess or overwhelm, hinting at a downside the author seeks to highlight.
  • It’s helpful to differentiate between different types of sentiment—positive, neutral, or negative—based on the language used.
Discerning the sentiment helps in understanding the layers of meaning and intent behind the author's words, which is pivotal for acing LSAT reading comprehension questions.

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