Library/PT 156/Sec 1/Reading Comp
Go to Platform
Reading Comprehension

Passage Breakdown

Both passages debate whether tax money should pay for the arts. Passage A says yes: public funding helps people who can’t afford or don’t have access to cultural events, and arts bring people together and boost civic involvement. Passage B says no: subsidies usually reflect the tastes of committees, not most taxpayers, people can buy the art they want themselves, and the government shouldn’t choose art for people. In short, A argues for funding to promote fairness and community; B argues against it to protect individual choice.

Logic Breakdown

Compare the authors' claims about the effects/justifications of tax-funded arts subsidies and pick the issue on which they take opposing positions.

Passage Stimulus

Passage Redacted

Unlock Full Passage

12.

The authors would be most likely to disagree over whether tax-funded arts subsidies

Correct Answer
A
Passage A explicitly asserts that arts institutions "build social capital: the invisible, informal ties that bind our society together" and adds that "Those who participate frequently in arts and cultural events are far more likely to engage in other civic activities, such as voting and volunteer work." Passage B, by contrast, calls any benefits "incidental" ("Tax-funded arts subsidies admittedly provide some incidental benefits, such as increasing tourism") and ultimately concludes "there can be no justification for arts subsidies." Thus Passage A endorses social-capital benefits as a public-justification for subsidies while Passage B rejects subsidies' claimed public-benefit justification, so the authors disagree about whether tax-funded arts subsidies build social capital.
Upgrade Your Prep

Ready to go beyond free explanations?

LSAT Perfection is the #1 modern LSAT prep platform, trusted by thousands of students for comprehensive test strategies, advanced drilling, and full analytics on every PrepTest.

Detailed explanations for 59 PrepTests
Advanced drillset builder
Personalized analytics
Built-in Wrong Answer Journal
Explore Perfection Plus for full LSAT prep