Bunuel
Around the mid-20th century, the rise of television in the United States was often celebrated as a revolutionary force in shaping cultural tastes and political engagement. Advocates argued that television brought educational programming into homes, expanded access to news coverage, and fostered a shared national identity through popular entertainment. Proponents claimed that television democratized information, enabling citizens from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to participate more fully in cultural and political discourse.
However, this optimistic narrative overlooks significant limitations in television's early impact. The majority of programming prioritized entertainment over education, with networks favoring commercially viable shows over content with intellectual or cultural depth. News coverage, while more accessible, often lacked diversity in perspectives, reflecting the biases of predominantly male, white editors and producers. Furthermore, television ownership was initially concentrated among wealthier households; it was not until the late 1950s that television sets became affordable for lower-income families. Even then, rural areas lagged behind urban centers in access due to limited infrastructure for broadcasting signals.
The perception of television as a unifying force also masked its role in reinforcing societal divisions. Gender stereotypes were perpetuated through programming that emphasized domestic roles for women, while racial minorities were either underrepresented or depicted through reductive and often harmful caricatures.
1. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the author's argument about the limitations of television's early impact in the United States?
A. In the early years of television, educational programming received lower viewership compared to entertainment programs.
B. By the late 1950s, the majority of low-income households in the United States lacked access to television signals due to insufficient broadcasting infrastructure.
C. Television networks initially prioritized news coverage of political events, however, this did not increase public interest in national and international affairs.
D. Surveys conducted in the 1950s revealed that television ownership among lower-income families increased at a faster rate than ownership among higher-income families.
E. Early television programming often featured educational content that improved literacy rates among children and adults.
2. The primary purpose of the passage is to
A. argue that television’s early role in fostering cultural and political engagement was more significant than previously recognized.
B. challenge the perception that television’s emergence in the mid-20th century was a wholly positive force for cultural and social progress.
C. explain how television networks balanced the demand for entertainment programming with the need for educational content.
D. describe the technological and economic factors that influenced the accessibility of television in rural and urban areas.
E. examine the ways in which television contributed to societal divisions despite its reputation as a unifying medium.
3. Which of the following, if true, would most challenge the idea that early television primarily reinforced societal divisions?
A. Surveys from the 1950s showed that female viewership of news and educational programs was equal to or greater than male viewership.
B. Programs featuring women and minority characters in professional or leadership roles received consistent critical acclaim.
C. Surveys from the 1950s revealed that most families watched television primarily for entertainment purposes.
D. A significant portion of early television programming with high viewership included news broadcasts and shows about social issues.
E. Rural households were more likely to rely on radio than television for news and educational content during the mid-20th century.
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Here are the answers with explanations:
Question 1
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the author’s argument about the limitations of television’s early impact in the United States?
Correct Answer: E. Early television programming often featured educational content that improved literacy rates among children and adults.
Explanation:
The passage argues that television’s early impact was limited because it prioritized entertainment over education, lacked diverse perspectives, and initially reached wealthier households more than lower-income families. If early television significantly improved literacy rates, it would counter the claim that educational programming was not prioritized or impactful, weakening the author’s argument about television’s limitations.
• Choice A supports the author’s argument by reinforcing that entertainment was prioritized over education.
• Choice B reinforces the argument about accessibility issues.
• Choice C does not directly weaken the author’s claims about television’s early limitations.
• Choice D only states that low-income ownership increased at a fast rate, which does not address the argument that access was initially limited.
Question 2
The primary purpose of the passage is to
Correct Answer: B. Challenge the perception that television’s emergence in the mid-20th century was a wholly positive force for cultural and social progress.
Explanation:
The passage presents both the optimistic narrative about television’s role in education and political engagement and a critical perspective on its limitations (favoring entertainment, reinforcing societal divisions, and lacking diverse perspectives). The overall goal is to challenge the overly positive view that television was entirely beneficial in shaping culture and politics.
• Choice A is incorrect because the passage does not argue that television had a more significant role than previously thought—it highlights its limitations.
• Choice C is incorrect because while the passage touches on education, its focus is broader.
• Choice D is too narrow, as the passage discusses more than just technological and economic factors.
• Choice E is a supporting idea but not the primary purpose.
Question 3
Which of the following, if true, would most challenge the idea that early television primarily reinforced societal divisions?
Correct Answer: B. Programs featuring women and minority characters in professional or leadership roles received consistent critical acclaim.
Explanation:
The passage argues that early television reinforced societal divisions by perpetuating gender stereotypes and underrepresenting minorities. If programs featuring women and minorities in leadership roles received critical acclaim, it suggests that television was not solely reinforcing societal divisions but also challenging them, weakening the author’s claim.
• Choice A does not directly address gender stereotypes in programming—it only states that women watched