Logical Reasoning

PT156 · S4 · Q8 Actors generally learn their lines by

A free, expert breakdown of this official LSAT Logical Reasoning question.

  • Save & drill this skill build targeted practice sets from questions like this one

  • Video walkthroughs watch every question solved step by step

  • 81 official LSATs as questions, timed sections & full-length tests

Actors generally learn their lines by focusing on the meanings of the words, the motivations of the characters uttering them, and the physical and emotional dimensions of their own performances.

Conclusion (so)

The approach of considering the meaning, motivation, and physical/emotional components of words is probably more effective than rote memorization at enhancing memory.

Intermediate Conclusion (seems likely that)

The argument outlines that engaging with the emotional context, motivation of characters, and physical aspects of delivery may enhance memory.

Evidence

Actors use emotional, action, and context to learn their lines.

Evaluate

The fact that actors use a certain technique to remember their lines isn't great evidence that "this is the superior way to remember things!"

First of all, maybe the job actors have in memorizing lines is atypical, relative to most things people try to memorize. For example, a geometry student needs to memorize the formula for area of a trapezoid, but they don't need to perform that formula out loud later. They just need to understand it enough to solve for the area of a trapezoid.

Would something like "area of a trapezoid" even be eligible for the author's method? Is there emotion / meaning / context / physical delivery? Doesn't seem like it.

If you're memorizing the capital of Nevada, it seems like rote memorization of "Carson City" is more realistic than thinking about the emotion / meaning / context of Carson City.

Since we need to strengthen, we would want to go against this sort of skepticism. We want rote memorization to sound bad, and we want the author's method to sound accessible / easy / effective / widely applicable.

Goal

We want to eliminate the four answer choices that strengthen the idea that the author's proposed method provides better memory retention than does rote memorization.

8.

Each of the following, if true, adds support for the conclusion drawn above except:

  1. Test subjects are best able

    Strengthens

    This choice highlights that memory is improved when people understand how the knowledge will be used, aligning with the idea that context facilitates better memory, thereby supporting the argument.

    2% picked this

  2. Correct

    The actors who are able

    Why this is right

    This choice provides no context for whether the actors being discussed used the author's suggested method or used rote memorization. Even if we assume that these actors used the method the author said is generally used by actors, this answer is just comparing actors who spent MORE TIME memorizing via the author's method vs. actors who spent LESS TIME memorizing via the author's method. It doesn't compare the author's method to rote memorization, so it offers no evidence that the former is superior. It only suggests that "more time memorizing" is superior to "less time memorizing".

    Skill tested: Strengthen · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    91% picked this

  3. Actors are more readily able

    Strengthens

    This option shows that incorporating action strengthens memory, providing a direct endorsement of the physical aspect of the author's recommended method as more effective for memory retention.

    1% picked this

  4. People who try to memorize

    Strengthens

    This choice suggests that imagining conveying lines to someone increases retention, supporting the value of context and emotional consideration in memory improvement, as proposed by the author.

    1% picked this

  5. People with no acting experience

    Strengthens

    This option demonstrates that understanding the entire play (context) improves memorization, substantiating the idea that context enhances memory.

    4% picked this

Continue the review in LSAT Lab

Save this question, watch the video walkthrough, and drill similar questions in your LSAT Lab account.

LSAT Lab

Turn this review into a targeted study plan.

Save this question, drill more like it, watch the video walkthrough, and track your progress in your LSAT Lab account.

Start practicing free