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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.


Official Solution:

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.

The author's argument focuses on the limitations of television's early impact, particularly its failure to fulfill its educational and cultural potential. To weaken this argument, we need evidence that television had a significant positive impact.

A.
Incorrect. Lower viewership of educational programming supports the author's argument about limited impact.


B.
Incorrect. Limited access among low-income households aligns with the argument of television's limited reach and reinforces the claim.


C.
Incorrect. If news coverage did not increase public interest in politics, it does not challenge the argument about television’s limitations.


D.
Incorrect, this answer choice tells us nothing new. We knew that lower-income families had lower TV set ownership in the early 1950's and only caught up by the late 1950's thus it is logical for the ownership rate to grow at a faster rate among those who did not own a TV set (lower-income group).

E.
Correct. Evidence that early television programming improved literacy rates directly contradicts the claim of limited educational impact, thereby weakening the argument.



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.

A. Incorrect. The passage critiques, rather than supports, the idea that television significantly fostered cultural and political engagement.

B.
Correct. The passage challenges the optimistic perception of television’s role, highlighting its limitations in education, accessibility, and representation.


C.
Incorrect. The passage does not focus on how networks balanced content demands but rather critiques the dominance of entertainment programming.


D.
Incorrect. While rural and urban access is mentioned, it is not the central focus of the passage.


E.
Incorrect. Though societal divisions are discussed, this option does not capture the passage’s broader critique of television’s perceived positive impact.



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.

The author argues that early television reinforced societal divisions. To weaken this argument, we need evidence showing that television had a unifying or socially progressive role.

A. Incorrect. Female viewership of news and educational programs does not directly address whether television reinforced societal divisions.

B.
Incorrect. Critical acclaim for such programs does not necessarily indicate their prevalence or impact on reducing societal divisions.


C.
Incorrect. Entertainment as the primary purpose of television does not weaken the argument about reinforcing divisions.


D.
Correct. High viewership of socially conscious programming suggests that television played a role in addressing social issues, contradicting the idea of reinforcing divisions.

E.
Incorrect. Reliance on radio in rural areas does not directly challenge the argument about television’s role in societal divisions.
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