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LSAT Preptest 153, Section 4, Question 27

Passage 4: Grand Theories

Explanation

A. The passage suggests that even without grand theories, we can still achieve a kind of narrative satisfaction that does not view history as fully determined.


B. The passage does not suggest that the study of history must avoid contingency; rather, it seems to advocate for a historical perspective that recognizes the role of contingency.


C. The passage critiques grand theories, suggesting that they do not adequately account for the variety of historical phenomena, thus disagreeing with the notion of universal laws of history.


D. The passage does not endorse the works of Marx and Freud as the correct historical perspective for studying the nineteenth century but rather presents them as products of their time with inherent limitations.


E. (Correct Response) The passage indicates that grand theories, which imposed universal patterns on history, have been shown to have explanatory limitations. This implies that the author believes the study of history is indeed impaired by the imposition of universal patterns, as such theories have failed to stand the test of time and do not accommodate the complexity of historical events.

The passage infers that the author views the imposition of universal patterns as a flawed approach to studying history, which has led to the decline of grand theories and a need for alternative perspectives that acknowledge historical contingency and the uniqueness of events.

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