Read the passage(s) below and answer the question based on what is stated or implied in the passage(s) and in any introductory material that may be provided.
Passage
Passage 1
The realm of blogging and other user-generated web content, like personal home pages, has a Wild West, anything-can-happen feel to it. A guy who has never written a children's book goes from blogging, to networking, to causing a stir, and ends up with a book deal. A couple of women who find their conversations about dating incredibly amusing turn out to be right, and end up with a television deal from a major cable channel. While it is growing and changing more rapidly than anyone can accurately track, the world of blogging is still a place where anyone can stand out, make a splash, be seen, be heard, and be successful.
Passage 2
A blog can seem like a waste of time to some, since there is no guarantee readers will come and comment. Maintaining it with new posts and an interesting layout can seem like a chore. Why does someone bother to create a blog if it isn't to peddle a product or to get in touch with consumers? "The principal reason to blog is because you have something to say," claims one expert on blogging. "While the cadre of readers may be small, it is not really how many sets of eyeballs are reading your material that's important, but who the eyeballs belong to. Blogs are written by influencers, and it is often other influencers that read them."
The author of Passage 2 suggests that 'some' would most likely view the description in Passage 1 ('the world... successful') as
- A. surprisingly apt
- B. overly optimistic
- C. needlessly pedantic
- D. insufficiently detailed
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The description in Passage 1 presents an idealized view of the world, which may lead some readers to perceive it as overly optimistic, especially if they believe it does not account for real-world challenges. Option A, "surprisingly apt," implies a positive reception that does not align with the critical tone suggested by the author. Option C, "needlessly pedantic," suggests an excessive focus on trivial details, which is not applicable here since the passage discusses broader concepts rather than minutiae. Option D, "insufficiently detailed," indicates a lack of information, whereas the passage's description may be seen as too idealistic rather than lacking substance.
The description in Passage 1 presents an idealized view of the world, which may lead some readers to perceive it as overly optimistic, especially if they believe it does not account for real-world challenges. Option A, "surprisingly apt," implies a positive reception that does not align with the critical tone suggested by the author. Option C, "needlessly pedantic," suggests an excessive focus on trivial details, which is not applicable here since the passage discusses broader concepts rather than minutiae. Option D, "insufficiently detailed," indicates a lack of information, whereas the passage's description may be seen as too idealistic rather than lacking substance.
Other Related Questions
At the end of Passage 2. ('While... them'), the expert emphasizes
- A. function over form
- B. theory over practice
- C. ethics over ambition
- D. quality over quantity
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The emphasis on quality over quantity highlights the importance of substance in achieving meaningful results. Focusing on quality ensures that efforts lead to impactful outcomes, rather than merely increasing the number of tasks or projects. Option A, function over form, suggests prioritizing practicality, which is not the main point in this context. Option B, theory over practice, implies valuing ideas over action, contradicting the emphasis on tangible quality. Option C, ethics over ambition, shifts the focus to moral considerations rather than the value of high-quality efforts. Thus, the passage underscores the significance of quality in any endeavor.
The emphasis on quality over quantity highlights the importance of substance in achieving meaningful results. Focusing on quality ensures that efforts lead to impactful outcomes, rather than merely increasing the number of tasks or projects. Option A, function over form, suggests prioritizing practicality, which is not the main point in this context. Option B, theory over practice, implies valuing ideas over action, contradicting the emphasis on tangible quality. Option C, ethics over ambition, shifts the focus to moral considerations rather than the value of high-quality efforts. Thus, the passage underscores the significance of quality in any endeavor.
Which of the following, if true, would most challenge the 'implication' mentioned in the fourth sentence?
- A. Çatalhöyük's farmers obtained through trade the wheat and barley that Rosen analyzed.
- B. Çatalhöyük's farmers understood the impact of soil conditions on crop productivity.
- C. Çatalhöyük's farmers shared wheat and barley fields with neighboring villages.
- D. Çatalhöyük's farmers used wood that deteriorated in the damp environment.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A challenges the implication by suggesting that the wheat and barley analyzed by Rosen were not locally produced but rather obtained through trade. This undermines any claims about the agricultural practices or productivity of Çatalhöyük's farmers. Option B, while informative about farmers' understanding, does not directly dispute the source of the crops. Option C introduces a communal aspect to farming but does not negate the potential local production of wheat and barley. Option D discusses environmental factors affecting wood, which is unrelated to the production or sourcing of crops and does not challenge the implication at all.
Option A challenges the implication by suggesting that the wheat and barley analyzed by Rosen were not locally produced but rather obtained through trade. This undermines any claims about the agricultural practices or productivity of Çatalhöyük's farmers. Option B, while informative about farmers' understanding, does not directly dispute the source of the crops. Option C introduces a communal aspect to farming but does not negate the potential local production of wheat and barley. Option D discusses environmental factors affecting wood, which is unrelated to the production or sourcing of crops and does not challenge the implication at all.
Unlike the author of Passage 1, the author of Passage 2 implies that keeping a blog might
- A. benefit the community
- B. involve irksome tasks
- C. attract favorable attention
- D. reward real creativity
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The implication in Passage 2 suggests that maintaining a blog can involve tedious or bothersome tasks, which aligns with option B. This contrasts with the more positive view presented in Passage 1. Option A is incorrect as it focuses on community benefits, which is not addressed in Passage 2. Option C misinterprets the author's tone; while attracting attention may be a byproduct, it isn't emphasized as a primary implication. Option D suggests that blogging inherently fosters creativity, which is not a theme in Passage 2, where the focus is more on the challenges rather than the rewards.
The implication in Passage 2 suggests that maintaining a blog can involve tedious or bothersome tasks, which aligns with option B. This contrasts with the more positive view presented in Passage 1. Option A is incorrect as it focuses on community benefits, which is not addressed in Passage 2. Option C misinterprets the author's tone; while attracting attention may be a byproduct, it isn't emphasized as a primary implication. Option D suggests that blogging inherently fosters creativity, which is not a theme in Passage 2, where the focus is more on the challenges rather than the rewards.
Which choice best characterizes the way the author presents the relationship between the arts and political and social issues?
- A. The arts are a key driver of political and social change.
- B. The arts are a way to distract people from political and social problems.
- C. The arts reflect changes in the political and social landscape,
- D. The arts are stifled during times of political and social upheaval
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The author illustrates that the arts serve as a mirror to society, effectively reflecting the evolving political and social landscape. This perspective highlights how artistic expression often responds to and encapsulates the sentiments of the times. Option A overstates the influence of the arts, suggesting they actively drive change rather than reflect it. Option B misrepresents the role of the arts, implying they serve only as distractions, which neglects their deeper societal relevance. Option D presents a limited view, focusing solely on suppression during upheaval, ignoring the arts' potential to comment on or critique such situations.
The author illustrates that the arts serve as a mirror to society, effectively reflecting the evolving political and social landscape. This perspective highlights how artistic expression often responds to and encapsulates the sentiments of the times. Option A overstates the influence of the arts, suggesting they actively drive change rather than reflect it. Option B misrepresents the role of the arts, implying they serve only as distractions, which neglects their deeper societal relevance. Option D presents a limited view, focusing solely on suppression during upheaval, ignoring the arts' potential to comment on or critique such situations.