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Flashcards: Inferences About Authorial Opinions and Beliefs in Humanities Passages
The name “Karen” is a term for over twenty sub-ethnic groups which constitute a minority group in Burma, a developing country in Southeast Asia suffering from the longest civil war in modern history. Many of the Karen people have been displaced and compelled to live as refugees in Thailand, where they lack citizenship and basic human rights. Historically, violence in Burma forced the Karen people into the Eastern highlands of Burma, where many were persecuted for their belief in Christianity. Some members of the Karen were subject to torture, while others were forced into slavery. Today, it is still a struggle for the Karen people to break free from their tumultuous history on many levels—including a linguistic one.
The origin of the word “Karen” is subject to dispute. The Oxford Dictionary denotes the origin of the word for “Karen” as being derived from the Burmese word “ka-reng,” meaning “wild, unclean man.” However, it is ambiguous as to whether the Burmese word from which “Karen” was derived is “ka-reng,” or “kayin.” According to Nick Cheesman, the foremost scholar on the Karen people, “Karen” is an Anglicization of the Burmese word “kayin,” the direct translation of which is unknown. By one account, “kayin” means “aboriginal,” but by another account it means “wild cattle of the hills.”
The Oxford Dictionary, rather than explaining the ambiguity that surrounds the etymology of “Karen,” instead provides inaccurate information. Its representation of the word “Karen” has been a source of pain for the Karen people, who resent the fact that they are associated with a description of “wild, unclean man.” The Karen people have already been subject to much turmoil and oppression; the characterization of their identity’s origin only deepens their plight.
Given the uncertainty as to the origin of the word “Karen,” and the subsequent pain that the Oxford Dictionary is currently causing to the Karen people, some activists are urging the Oxford Dictionary to change the listed origin from “wild, unclean man,” to “aboriginal person.” The term “aboriginal person” is equally accurate, if not more so, than “wild, unclean man,” and does not offend the populace it seeks to describe. However, instigating change is going to be a challenging endeavor. For the Oxford Dictionary to admit that it has erred in its definition could potentially subject it to scrutiny. However, between the two options of allowing the Karen people to continue to suffer, versus admitting a mistake, the latter is more benign.
The author most likely believes that the Oxford Dictionary's definition of the Karen people resulted from:
maliciousness towards the Karen people
a lack of thorough research
intellectual discussion as to the best definition to select
political undertones to support the majority rule in Burma
choosing to take a side in a linguistic debate
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LSAT scores form the most important part of law school applications, and this weight can make preparing to face the exam a nerve-wracking experience. Many students choose to focus their review on the Logical Reasoning and Analytical Reasoning sections of the exam, as these sections most directly test analytical abilities in ways that may not have been covered directly in previous coursework. The test’s logic games are typically understood by applying logic to careful diagramming, whereas one’s ability to understand the nuts and bolts of a few sentences of logical argumentation requires similar skill with logical deductions. In the midst of the methodical logic that is at the heart of these sections, the Reading Comprehension section of the LSAT may seem like a less-imposing outlier. Previous success on the reading sections of other standardized exams may give test-takers false confidence that leaves them unprepared on test day and with a lower score than they otherwise could have achieved through more balanced preparation. The LSAT’s Reading Comprehension section determines a quarter of your overall score, so focusing your studies exclusively on other sections can be a recipe for disaster. While sharpening your logical acumen, you should not neglect brushing up on your ability to work through longer prose passages while picking up on all of their subtle details. Whether you need LSAT tutoring in Atlanta, LSAT tutoring in Houston, or LSAT tutoring in San Francisco, working one-on-one with an expert may be just the boost your studies need.
What makes the LSAT’s Reading Comprehension section so demanding? For one, the length and number of passages it includes present most test-takers with a challenge. LSAT Reading Comprehension passages are typically around five hundred words long, and five passages appear on each test, two of which are shorter and analyzed together. The section only lasts for thirty-five minutes, however, presenting readers with a need to balance care with speed. In addition, LSAT Reading Comprehension passages are drawn from a wide range of topics in the humanities, physical sciences, natural sciences, and law. Passages are typically written in a dense style about complex topics, arranging more obstacles between test-takers and correct answers. Finally, LSAT Reading Comprehension questions are themselves quite idiosyncratic. Whereas most reading tests include questions that are directly answered in the passage, the LSAT’s Reading Comprehension section asks you to not only locate relevant information, but make complex and subtle deductions based on it. You may be asked to surmise the effect new evidence has on an author’s argument, or consider what must or might be true based on what has been stated. In addition, each LSAT Reading Comprehension section includes the analysis of a pair of passages, setting the stage for questions that ask you to compare and contrast aspects of each argument on this part of the test. Varsity Tutors also offers resources like free LSAT Reading Diagnostic Tests to help with your self-paced study, or you may want to consider an LSAT Reading tutor.
How can one best prepare for all of these challenges? Practice, practice, practice. Only by working through a good deal of practice material of appropriate difficulty can you get a clear picture of your own abilities and calibrate your reading speed so that you can get through all of the passages without missing crucial details. Varsity Tutors’ free LSAT Reading Comprehension Flashcards can help you do just this by helping you get a better idea of your own particular skill set. Our LSAT Reading Comprehension Flashcards are each drawn from the various types of passages and questions used on the LSAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation of the reasoning used to arrive at the correct answer, and data about how long you took to answer each question is also included in the feedback you receive. Registering on our Learning Tools website allows you to save your results and track your progress. In addition to the LSAT Reading Flashcards and LSAT Reading tutoring, you may also want to consider taking some of our free LSAT Reading Practice Tests. By dedicating time to preparing yourself for the Reading Comprehension section as well as the other sections of the LSAT, you practice all of the skills you will need and be ready for whatever challenges your particular exam presents.
