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10 Nov 2021, 21:00
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Question 1
A
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
55%
(hard)
Question Stats:
53% (03:14) correct
47%
(02:52) wrong
based on 316
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 2
D
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
25%
(medium)
Question Stats:
69% (01:08) correct 31%
(01:27) wrong
based on 304
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
At the turn of the 21st century, some
philosophers justifiably wondered exactly how
“post” postmodernism actually is, worried that
the term—used for an increasingly heterogeneous
(5) assembly of theories and cultural phenomena—
may no longer have any meaning at all. There are
indeed many differences between the theories of
postmodern thinkers such as Baudrillard, Derrida,
Lyotard, or Jameson, and many possible ways
(10) of describing and judging the “postmodern”
condition of the most advanced Western societies,
not to mention their complex relations with other
societies in times of postcolonialism and growing
globalization. Nevertheless, it is possible to
(15) define—however broadly—the criteria that serve
as a common denominator for postmodernism.
First and foremost, the postmodern condition
cannot be understood without acknowledging
the increasing virtualization of our society: the
(20) ubiquity of computers and the Internet has all but
blurred the line between fact and fiction, often
turning “facts” into mere by-products of “fiction.”
In academia, postmodernity entails a growing
suspicion of such terms as “authenticity,” “identity,”
(25) or “essence,” believing—correctly—that they are
socially constructed categories of human cognition.
The primary analytical strategy of postmodern
thinkers is that of reading—and deconstructing—
the world as a “text” devoid of all-encompassing
(30) grand narratives or stable hierarchical structures.
In literature and architecture, the postmodern style
transgresses the gap between “high” and “low,”
“inside” and “outside,” purposefully highlighting
the constructed nature of any binary formation.
(35) One could say that postmodernism is the reign of
the quotation mark. That does not mean, however,
that the postmodern world is free of real power
or oppression, nor that all ethical concerns have
yielded to aesthetic relativism. Such conclusions
(40) are foolish and dangerous in equal measure.
philosophers justifiably wondered exactly how
“post” postmodernism actually is, worried that
the term—used for an increasingly heterogeneous
(5) assembly of theories and cultural phenomena—
may no longer have any meaning at all. There are
indeed many differences between the theories of
postmodern thinkers such as Baudrillard, Derrida,
Lyotard, or Jameson, and many possible ways
(10) of describing and judging the “postmodern”
condition of the most advanced Western societies,
not to mention their complex relations with other
societies in times of postcolonialism and growing
globalization. Nevertheless, it is possible to
(15) define—however broadly—the criteria that serve
as a common denominator for postmodernism.
First and foremost, the postmodern condition
cannot be understood without acknowledging
the increasing virtualization of our society: the
(20) ubiquity of computers and the Internet has all but
blurred the line between fact and fiction, often
turning “facts” into mere by-products of “fiction.”
In academia, postmodernity entails a growing
suspicion of such terms as “authenticity,” “identity,”
(25) or “essence,” believing—correctly—that they are
socially constructed categories of human cognition.
The primary analytical strategy of postmodern
thinkers is that of reading—and deconstructing—
the world as a “text” devoid of all-encompassing
(30) grand narratives or stable hierarchical structures.
In literature and architecture, the postmodern style
transgresses the gap between “high” and “low,”
“inside” and “outside,” purposefully highlighting
the constructed nature of any binary formation.
(35) One could say that postmodernism is the reign of
the quotation mark. That does not mean, however,
that the postmodern world is free of real power
or oppression, nor that all ethical concerns have
yielded to aesthetic relativism. Such conclusions
(40) are foolish and dangerous in equal measure.
1. The author of the passage is primarily concerned with
(A) alleviating a philosophical concern by outlining the scope of a key term
(B) evaluating the cultural relevance of a philosophical movement
(C) correcting a common misconception about the postmodern world
(D) questioning the socially constructed nature of certain terms in philosophy and literature
(E) examining the differences between philosophical theories
(A) alleviating a philosophical concern by outlining the scope of a key term
(B) evaluating the cultural relevance of a philosophical movement
(C) correcting a common misconception about the postmodern world
(D) questioning the socially constructed nature of certain terms in philosophy and literature
(E) examining the differences between philosophical theories
2. Which one of the following best states the central idea of the passage?
(A) Postmodern thinkers approach the world as a “text” devoid of grand narratives or stable hierarchical structures.
(B) It is reasonable to suspect that the term “postmodern” has lost its original meaning.
(C) Our understanding of the postmodern condition has been influenced by the ubiquity of computers and the Internet.
(D) Although postmodernism resists a single definition, it is possible to define the fundamental principles that characterize it.
(E) Today’s philosophers are wrong to question the value of postmodernism, because there are many ways of describing the “postmodern” condition.
(A) Postmodern thinkers approach the world as a “text” devoid of grand narratives or stable hierarchical structures.
(B) It is reasonable to suspect that the term “postmodern” has lost its original meaning.
(C) Our understanding of the postmodern condition has been influenced by the ubiquity of computers and the Internet.
(D) Although postmodernism resists a single definition, it is possible to define the fundamental principles that characterize it.
(E) Today’s philosophers are wrong to question the value of postmodernism, because there are many ways of describing the “postmodern” condition.
Shadyshades
Joined: 02 Nov 2020
Last visit: 01 May 2026
Posts: 113
Given Kudos: 1,150
Location: India
Schools: Yale '20 (D)
GMAT 1: 220 Q2 V2
01 Jan 2023, 14:53
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In a nutshell, there are many different theories of postmodernism out there but do we have any basic criteria to define it ?
The author jumps in and reckon "Hell Yeah" !
1. The author of the passage is primarily concerned with
By looking at the gerund at the start of every option, we can cross off C,D and E. The author is not really correcting or questioning or examining anything.
He is just trying to make our work a bit easier by giving us a denominator to understand postmodern condition.
That's what A says.
(A) alleviating a philosophical concern by outlining the scope of a key term
2. Which one of the following best states the central idea of the passage?
Isn't the primary concern same as central idea ? Who cares as long as i am getting a bonus question. D it is.
(D) Although postmodernism resists a single definition, it is possible to define the fundamental principles that characterize it.
The author jumps in and reckon "Hell Yeah" !
1. The author of the passage is primarily concerned with
By looking at the gerund at the start of every option, we can cross off C,D and E. The author is not really correcting or questioning or examining anything.
He is just trying to make our work a bit easier by giving us a denominator to understand postmodern condition.
That's what A says.
(A) alleviating a philosophical concern by outlining the scope of a key term
2. Which one of the following best states the central idea of the passage?
Isn't the primary concern same as central idea ? Who cares as long as i am getting a bonus question. D it is.
(D) Although postmodernism resists a single definition, it is possible to define the fundamental principles that characterize it.
General Discussion
24 Nov 2025, 01:08
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