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When the LSAT asks which word most closely expresses the author's intended meaning, do they want a complete replacement of the word in question without any regard for the original word?

In that case, I would agree that "transformative" best fits in the context of the overall intent of the entire sentence. But unless I misunderstand the definitions of "transformative" and "initiatory", they have nothing in common, so I don't see how the author could have intended for the specific word "initiatory" in the passage to have meant "transformative".

pft wrote: In that case, I would agree that "transformative" best fits in the context of the overall intent of the entire sentence. But unless I misunderstand the definitions of "transformative" and "initiatory", they have nothing in common, so I don't see how the author could have intended for the specific word "initiatory" in the passage to have meant "transformative".

I think you do misunderstand. Think of an initiation, where you are introduced to something new as part of a transformative experience, like starting a new school or new job.

albanach wrote: I think you do misunderstand. Think of an initiation, where you are introduced to something new as part of a transformative experience, like starting a new school or new job.

I understand that an initiation can lead to a transformative experience, but not how that gives them the potential to have the same meaning.

pft wrote:

albanach wrote: I think you do misunderstand. Think of an initiation, where you are introduced to something new as part of a transformative experience, like starting a new school or new job.

I understand that an initiation can lead to a transformative experience, but not how that gives them the potential to have the same meaning.

Okay, think about some sort of coming of age ritual where an initiatory ceremony could be described as transformative between adolescence and adulthood. Before the ceremony the participant is a child, after the transformative initiation they become an adult.

Hmm ok. Thanks.

Ignore the original word (it's usually a poor choice of word anyway). These types of questions are all about context. The answer here is "transformative" because the journeys "bring about a basic change in the worldview of the protagonist."