1. Based on the discussion of public opinion regarding the Eiffel Tower's construction it can be inferred that
A. the poorer Parisians took to the Tower more readily than the educated classesIncorrect: Out of Scope
There is no mention of the poorer Parisians in the passage and nothing to associate money with the Tower’s popularity.
B. early in its planning, the Tower was generally embraced by most of the French peopleCorrect The second paragraph states, “In the wake of the initial enthusiasm—on the part of the fair’s Commission that was then inspired by the desire to create a monument to highlight French technological achievement, and on the part of the majority of French people by the stirring of their imagination at the magnitude of the structure—there grew a rising movement of disfavor.” According to the passage most Frenchmen were in fact initially supportive and enthusiastic. It was only later that “disfavor” began to grow.
C. those who disagreed with the plans for the Tower were mostly members of the intelligentsiaIncorrect: Inconsistent
The intelligentsia was at the center of the movement. It doesn't mean that majority of the people who objected to the plans were members of the same.
D. there was no disagreement about whether a 300-meter tower could be constructedIncorrect: Inconsistent
The passage says, “there was remarkably little criticism of its structural feasibility” in the third paragraph. On the basis of this statement, one cannot infer that there was no criticism at all. The phrase “little criticism” could also imply insignificant criticism.
E. those living closest to the tower's site were the most supportive of itIncorrect: Opposite
In the final paragraph the passage mentions: “there was an undercurrent of what might be characterized as unease by many property owners in the structure’s shadow.” They were not supportive, but nervous at the idea of having such a tall structure so close to their homes and businesses.
2. Which faction does the author refer to when he mentions “undercurrent” in the last paragraph?
“The most interesting point to be noted in a retrospection of this often violent opposition is that, although every aspect of the Tower was attacked,
there was remarkably little criticism of its structural feasibility, either by the engineering profession or, as seems traditionally to be the case with bold and unprecedented undertakings, by large numbers of the technically uninformed population. True, there was an undercurrent of what might be characterized as unease by many
property owners in the structure’s shadow, but the most obstinate element of resistance was that which deplored the Tower as a mechanistic intrusion upon the architectural and natural beauties of Paris. This resistance voiced its fury in a flood of special newspaper editions, petitions, and manifestos signed by such lights of the fine and literary arts as De Maupassant…”
The term “undercurrent” refers to the concerns regarding the structural integrity. The bolded portions of the paragraph imply that people who lived close to the tower (structure’s shadow) were concerned about the structural integrity of the tower. Thus the correct answer should specify the above.
A. those who lived around the Eiffel Tower and were concerned about the mechanical stability of Eiffel Tower
CorrectThis choice can be inferred from the following parts of the passage:
1: “...there was remarkably little criticism of its structural feasibility”
2: “True, there was an undercurrent of what might be characterized as unease by many property owners in the structure’s shadow”
In statement 1, the author says that there was only a little criticism regarding the structural stability of the tower (mechanical stability).
In statement 2, the author indicates that this little criticism indeed came from the people who lived in close proximity of the tower. Thus the term “undercurrent” refers to this segment of people.
B. those who lived around the Eiffel Tower and were technically uninformedIncorrect: Out of Scope
There is little information in the passage regarding the technical competence of inhabitants who lived in the vicinity of Eiffel Tower.
C. those who voiced their concerns regarding Eiffel Tower through manifestos and petitionsIncorrect: Inconsistent
The term "undercurrent" refers to the concerns regarding the structural integrity. The group of people referenced in this choice was concerned about the mechanistic intrusion upon the beauty of Paris.
D. those who deplored the Eiffel Tower as a mechanistic intrusion upon the architectural and natural beauties of ParisIncorrect: Out of Scope
As discussed in prethinking, the term "undercurrent" refers to the concerns regarding the structural integrity and not regarding the mechanistic intrusion on the beauty of Paris.
E. those belonging to engineering profession who were concerned about the structural feasibility of the Eiffel TowerIncorrect: Out of Scope
This group of people has not been referred to by the term "undercurrent" as determined in prethinking.
3. De Maupassant, Gounod, Dumas fils are mentioned by the passage in order to
We can deduce that the names of these three artists have been used in the passage to show that the construction of the Eiffel Tower faced main criticism from litterateur and artists such as those mentioned in the passage.
A. overview the leadership structure of the fine and literary artsIncorrect: Out of Scope
There is no mention of the leadership structure for these fields.
B. list the names of the Tower's most steadfast opponentsIncorrect: Out of Scope
We do not know if these three people were the "most steadfast" out of everyone who opposed the Tower. All we know is that these people were important in their fields.
C. explain who in French society was most interested in French architecture at that timeIncorrect: Inconsistent
While these people certainly had a significant interest in architecture, enough to be concerned about a new iconic building, we don't know that they were the "most interested" during the late 19th century.
D. reveal how the creative and scientific communities were at odds over the TowerIncorrect: Inconsistent
Just because these people were part of the artistic community does not mean these two groups were necessarily "at odds" over the Tower.
E. clarify that distinguished members of the artistic community considered the Tower as a possible eye-soreCorrectSince this is an informational passage, the author's goal is to educate the reader. Ask yourself: by including this detail, what ABOUT the Tower, specifically, is he trying to elucidate? The passage explains that "the most obstinate element of resistance was that which deplored the Tower as a mechanistic intrusion upon the architectural and natural beauties of Paris." In the next sentence, the author mentions these people as "lights of the fine and literary arts."
4. Which of the following is the author’s primary purpose behind this passage?
we see that the first paragraph explains how the idea to construct Eiffel Tower was convinced and got approved. The second paragraph talks about the initial support for the Tower that turned into criticism. The last paragraph talks about the specific class that was against the construction of the Tower. Hence, the main purpose of the author in writing this passage is to present how the idea of Eiffel Tower was conceived and the the criticism it faced.
A. To discuss the feasibility of the Eiffel Firm's plan for the Tower.Incorrect: Partial scope
This choice includes the discussion mentioned only in the first two paragraphs. The correct answer for a Main Idea question should include ALL of the paragraphs – even the final one.
B. To teach the history of the Eiffel Tower's precursorsIncorrect: Partial scope
The precursors to the Eiffel Tower are only mentioned in the first paragraph – the bridges and viaduct. If this were the main goal, then more precursors would be discussed in subsequent paragraphs.
C. To explain how the Tower would not have been approved without Eiffel's reputation and knowledge of structural engineering.Incorrect: Partial scope
While this is a detail mentioned in the second paragraph only, look for an answer choice that best encapsulates ALL of the paragraphs.
D. To detail how the public turned against the Tower in the months after the Exposition.Incorrect: Out of Scope
The scope of the passage focuses only on the Tower’s planning, approval, and construction. We do not know how the public felt about the Tower after the Exposition.
E. To give a general history of the Tower's construction and the public reaction to it.CorrectThe passage is a broad overview on the structural engineering that helped build the Tower, its approval, and how the public opinion on it evolved.
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