I have spent more than a couple of hours to write this up, tried my best to answer all the above queries in one post.
Passage map
Paragraph 1: (Introduces the topic)- The Russian filmmaker described filmmaking as a fresh perception of the world.
Paragraph 2: (Difference between artwork and film)- Publication on art flourish
- Films can reach a broader audience and hence have a more capacity to change the visual perception of the public than Art has.
- Films are not telecasted on national TVs in prime time.
Paragraph 3: (Reason why films are not telecasted or reached their full potential)- Distribution is not the only reason films are not being telecasted on national TV.
- There are some shortcomings of the films
- Art historians and Filmmakers didn't collaborate with each other while making a film on art.
- Both should collaborate but compromise on both end is needed.
Paragraph 4: (How art historian and filmmakers can collaborate, and conclusion)- Filmmaker wrongly depicts the work of art by mixing it up with rock videos and music.
- Filmmaker should understand the need for the work of art and differentiate the educational prospects of the film from entertainment prospects.
- Art historians should consider the need of the audience.
- By the collaboration of both the filmmaker and the art historian, films can reach the full potential of shaping people's perception of art.
Explanation
1. The passage suggests that a filmmaker desiring to enhance viewers’ perceptions of art should do which of the following?
Difficulty level: 650
This question wants us to remember what we have read in paragraph 4-5. The related text of this question can be found below:
"A filmmaker who is creating a film about the work of an artist should not follow the standards set by rock videos and advertising.........Filmmakers are aware that an art object demands concentration and, at the same time, are concerned that it may not be compelling enough—and so they hope to provide relief by interposing “real” scenes that bear only a tangential relationship to the subject. But a work of art needs to be explored on its own terms."
The text in bold in the last line is the main clue to the answer of this question.
(A) Rely on the precise language of art history when developing scripts for films on art.
Option (A) is certainly out of the scope. We don't know whether the filmmaker relies on language or not. We don't know who develop the script of the film. We can only use the information given in the passage. Don't bring inside your common knowledge of world facts here.
(B) Rely on dramatic narrative and music to set a film’s tone and style.
This option is rather opposite, this is all that filmmakers do (According to the passage) while making a film on art.
(C) Recognize that a work of art by itself can be compelling enough to hold a viewer’s attention.
This is correct! read the above-quoted text copied from the passage.
(D) Depend more strongly on narration instead of camera movements to guide the viewer’s gaze.
This option is a trap, the language used (more strongly) is extreme and it distorts the weight given in the passage on both (The art and the film). In the passage, there is nothing given as such which shows that dependence on narration should be more than the camera movements, etc.
(E) Emphasize the social and historical contexts within which works of art have been created.
This is also not been talked about as such, Out of context.
Answer: C
2. The author of the passage refers to Vertov in the first paragraph most probably in order to
Difficulty Level: 700
Explanation
This is a comparatively hard question, the question is asking us to go the first paragraph. Keep the question in mind, it is: Why the author has provided an example of a Russian filmmaker in the first paragraph? Let's have a look at each answer choice.
(A) provide an example of how films can be used to influence perceptions
This option is saying that the example given is teaching us how we can use films to influence perception but it is wrong. If one didn't pay close attention to what is actually asked in question fell into trap against this option as it looks lucrative somehow.
(B) present evidence to support the argument that films have been used successfully to influence viewers’ perceptions
No evidence is provided in any form, this is also out of the race.
(C) introduce the notion that film can influence how viewers see
If we pay close attention to the words quoted in the first paragraph we will pick this option. Below is the quoted text I am talking about:
“fresh perception of the world.”
(D) contrast a traditional view of the uses of film with a more modern view
There is no contrast given in the passage. This is out.
(E) describe how film can change a viewer’s perception of a work of art
The word "how" in this choice brings a lot of responsibility with it and the example quoted by author bears no responsibility as such. To answer the "how" only one example might not be enough and another separate essay might be needed.
Note: Pay close attention to each word in options (A) and (E) is the key to this question.
Answer: C
3. Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?
Difficulty Level: 600-650
Explanation
The passage map I have provided at the start of this explanation would be helpful in reaching an answer to this question.
(A) An observation about an unsatisfactory situation is offered, the reasons for the situation are discussed, and then ways to change it are suggested.
Read the passage map above as this option is in line with that. The text in green in this choice is perfectly depicted what has gone in this passage.
(B) Two opinions regarding a controversial phenomenon are contrasted, supporting evidence for each is presented, and then the two opinions are reconciled.
No two different opinions are presented.
There is no controversial phenomenon
No supporting evidence.
No reconciliation
This option is totally bullshit.
(C) Criticism of a point of view is discussed, the criticism is answered, and then the criticism is applied to another point of view.
Same as B, No criticism can be found in the passage. Out.
(D) A point of view is described, evidence supporting the view is provided, and then a summary is presented.
This is also a light version of B and C.
(E) A strategy is presented, reasons for its past failure are discussed, and then a recommendation that will be abandoned is offered.
The word strategy is fine, past failures are doubtful but the last part "recommendation that will be abandoned" certifies that this option is not in line with the passage.
Note: If you have a passage map, on paper or in mind, you can easily solve this answer.
Answer: A
4. The passage is primarily concerned with
Difficulty Level: 600
Explanation
This is the easiest question among the four we came across until now. A passage map or summary will help here and one can solve this question very easily then.
(A) discussing why film’s potential as a medium for presenting art to the general public has not been fully realized and how film might be made more effective in this regard
Paragraph 1 introduces the topic and the last paragraph concludes this point. This is correct, read the passage map above.
(B) discussing the shortcomings of films on art and the technological innovations required to increase the impact of film on visual literacy
Shortcomings were discussed in paragraph 3 only + technological innovations are actually not so important to increase the impact of film on visual literacy. so there are two issues with this option:
1. It talks about only a fractional part of the passage say 2/10.
2. It provides out-of-the-scope information.
(C) discussing the advantages and the disadvantages of using films rather than publications to present works of art to the general public
This is the opposite rather, also bringing in the outside information. Out of scope.
(D) presenting information to support the view that films on art must focus more on education and less on entertainment in order to increase visual literacy
must focus more on education and less on entertainment This option distorts the information in the passage very badly.
(E) presenting information to support the view that films on art, because they reach a broader audience than many other kinds of media, have had greater success in promoting visual literacy
This is the second-best option among these five. It talks about something which is discussed in the passage in good amount. But the intention of the author was not as such given in this option.
Answer: A
5. The author would most likely agree with which of the following statements about film and visual literacy?
Difficulty Level: 600
Explanation
Consider the whole of the passage while answering questions like this.
(A) Reading a publication about a work of art and then seeing a film about the same work is the most effective way to develop visual literacy.
This is out of scope, the author didn't, at any place, ask to do both read and watch to develop visual literacy.
(B) An increase in a viewer’s awareness of visual forms will also lead to an increased attention span.
Nothing is discussed as such in the passage.
(C) Film has a great but not yet fully exploited capacity to increase viewers’ awareness of visual forms.
At different times in the passage the author conveys this message to the reader:
Yet films on art have not had a powerful and pervasive effect on the way we see.
The second half of the second paragraph:
Films, however, with their capacity to present material visually and to reach a broader audience, have the potential to enhance visual literacy (the ability to identify the details that characterize a particular style) more effectively than publications can. Unfortunately, few of the hundred or so films on art that are made each year in the United States are broadcast nationally on prime-time television.
The conclusion of the passage at the end of the last paragraph:
Only an effective collaboration between filmmakers and art historians can create films that will enhance viewers’ perceptions of art.
(D) A film that focuses on the details of a work of art will hinder the development of visual literacy.
This is opposite to what is described in the passage.
(E) Films on art would more effectively enhance the visual literacy of teenagers if filmmakers followed the standards set by rock videos.
It limits the scope of "visual literacy" to only teenagers and hence is out of the scope of the passage.
Answer: C
6. According to the passage, art historians desiring to work with filmmakers to enhance the public’s appreciation of art need to acknowledge which of the following?
Difficulty Level: 650
Explanation
(A) The art historian’s role in the creation of a film on art is likely to be a relatively minor one.
This is the opposite, Author in the passage emphasis equally both the art historian and the filmmakers, this option is totally biased in the favor of filmmakers.
(B) Film provides an ideal opportunity to acquaint viewers with a [color=#ed1c24]wide range of issues that relate incidentally to a work of art.[/color]
The text in red in this option makes it wrong. No wide range of issues at any level being discussed in the passage.
(C) An in-depth analysis of a work of art is not an appropriate topic for a film on art.
This is talking about random and unrelated things which have no impact on the question.
(D) Although silence may be an appropriate background when viewing a work of art in a museum, it is inappropriate in a film.
This option is bringing the general facts which lay outside of the passage and we are concerned with what is going on in the real world.
(E) Film can use nonverbal means to achieve some of the same results that a spoken or written discourse can achieve.
This is correct, the last few lines of the passage lead to the answer (E).
art historians need to trust that one can indicate and analyze, not solely with words, but also by directing the viewer’s gaze. The specialized written language of art history needs to be relinquished or at least tempered for the screen.
The text in bold is saying exactly what is written in this option.
Answer: E
7. Which of the following would describe the author’s most likely reaction to a claim that films on art would more successfully promote visual literacy if they followed the standards set for rock videos?
Difficulty Level: 650
Explanation
Translate the question: If someone asks the author that films on art would more successfully promote visual literacy if they followed the standards set for rock videos, what will be the reaction of the author.? The question presented is opposing the author's view. Remember the below lines from the passage:
A filmmaker who is creating a film about the work of an artist should not follow the standards set by rock videos and advertising.
So what will be the reaction of the author if he/she has an opposing view? let's read each option.
(A) Ambivalence
Meaning (I have copied from the internet): "the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone."
Incorrect
(B) Indifference
Meaning: "lack of interest, concern, or sympathy."
(C) Sympathy
Meaning: "feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune."
(D) Interest
Meaning: "the feeling of wanting to know or learn about something or someone."
(E) Disdain
Meaning: "the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect."
"consider to be unworthy of one's consideration."
This is correct.
Answer: E
PS: This question could be problematic for a non-native with a limited vocabulary.
PS: The passage is not really difficult but the issue is its length.
close
29 Apr 2021, 20:00
52%
(03:01) wrong 
35%
(medium)
