PT 7 Section 4 No. 24

[mz253]

I found it really difficult to use negation test for this one, cannot eliminate A.

A: if dictionary editors are professionally interested in words that only rarely used, then you cannot really tell if a word has become common since the dictionary may contain words that are both commonly used and not commonly used.

[tomwatts]

A: if dictionary editors are professionally interested in words that only rarely used, then you cannot really tell if a word has become common since the dictionary may contain words that are both commonly used and not commonly used.

You're ignoring that the argument has already said that dictionary editors are vitally concerned with the question of whether a word has passed into common usage. If they're concerned with all words, regardless of frequency of use, then that helps the argument, because they'll be tracking everything, whether or not it's common. They'll also, according to the argument, be tracking whether the words are common or not. So if A isn't true, if you go to them and ask them about a word (not just look it up in the dictionary — the argument talks about getting "professional opinions" about the words, which requires asking), they'll be able to say, "That word? Nope, not common. Only used by specialists. That other word? Totally common."

[Atlas LSAT Brian]

Yeah, I agree with tomwatts commentary on answer choice (A).

Furthermore, I think one could be better prepared to eliminate incorrect answers and perhaps see the correct one with a good up-front analysis of the argument. Also, it's kind of an odd type that I don't think is prevalent on modern LSATs.

The "conclusion" is that to see how quickly a new IDEA is taking hold, monitor how fast the WORD describing that idea becomes commonly used.

The essential assumption, then, is the idea/word connection (i.e. meaning). And with this in mind, I think this problem is much easier.

[mz253]

thanks! i think i tend to overthink and i should stop doing that!