Dorothea Lange was perhaps the most notable of the photographers commi

Question

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Passage # 46, Date: 23-Apr-2020
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Dorothea Lange was perhaps the most notable of the photographers commissioned during the 1930s by the Farm Security Administration (FSA), part of a federal plan to revitalize the nation’s economy and to communicate its human and social dimensions. The value of Lange’s photographs as documents for social history is enhanced by her technical and artistic mastery of the medium. Her wellcomposed, sharp-focus images reveal a wealth of information about he subjects and show historical evidence that would scarcely be known but for her camera. Her finest images . . .portray people who appear indomitable, unvanquished by their reverses. “Migrant Mother,” for example, portrays a sense of the innocent victim, of perseverance, of destitution as a temporary aberration calling for compassion, solutions, and politics to alter life for the better. The power of that photograph, which became the symbol of the photographic file of the FSA, endures today.

The documentary book was a natural genre for Lange and her husband Paul Taylor, whose narrative accompanied Lange’s FSA photographs. In An American Exodus, produced by Lange and Taylor, a sense of the despair of Lange’s subjects is heightened by the captioned quotations of the migrants. Taken from 1935 to 1940, the Exodus pictures became the accepted vision of the migration of Dust Bowl farm workers into California.

The documentary book was a natural genre for Lange and her husband Paul Taylor, whose narrative accompanied Lange’s FSA photographs. In An  American Exodus , produced by Lange and Taylor, a sense of the despair of Lange’s subjects is heightened by the captioned quotations of the migrants. Taken from 1935 to 1940, the  Exodus  pictures became the accepted vision of the migration of Dust Bowl farm workers into California.   1 
 1. According to the passage, the photograph entitled “Migrant Mother”

(A) appeared in the documentary book An  American Exodus. 
(B) was accompanied by a caption written by Lange’s husband.
(C) was taken by Lange in 1935.
(D) portrays the mother of a Dust Bowl farm worker.
(E) is considered by the author to be one of Lange’s best photographs.

2 
 2. The passage provides information for responding to all of the following questions EXCEPT:

(A) What was the FSA’s purpose in compiling the photographic file to which Lange contributed?
(B) How did the FSA react to the photographs taken by Lange under its commission?
(C) In what areas of the United States did Lange take her photographs appearing in An  American Exodus ?
(D) Why did Lange agree to work under the commission of the FSA?
(E) What qualities make Lange’s photographs noteworthy?

3 
 3. Among the following characterizations, the passage is best viewed as

(A) a survey of the great photographers of the Depression era.
(B) an examination of the photographic techniques of Dorothea Lange.
(C) an argument for the power of pictures to enact social change.
(D) a discussion of the goals and programs of the FSA’s photographic department.
(E) an explanation of Lange’s interest in documenting the plight of Depression victims.

dreamscore800 · Answer

My answers -

1. E (This can be directly related to the earlier mentioned phrase 'Her finest images' and is followed the 'Migrant Mother' as an example)

2. D (There is no mention any where in the passage as to why photographer DL has agreed to work with FSA)

3. C (The passage has been talking about the impact of photographs as a social history, social dimensions and referring 'Migrant Mother' the change it wanted to bring about to alter life for the better. So, this option best provide the overall characterization of the narration)

adstudy · Answer

1. According to the passage, the photograph entitled “Migrant Mother”

(A) appeared in the documentary book An American Exodus.
(B) was accompanied by a caption written by Lange’s husband.
(C) was taken by Lange in 1935.
(D) portrays the mother of a Dust Bowl farm worker.
(E) is considered by the author to be one of Lange’s best photographs.

Answer should be   E  , IMO. This can be deduced from the following line of the passage - 
 Her finest images  . . .portray people who appear indomitable, unvanquished by their reverses.  “Migrant Mother,” for example,  portrays a sense of the innocent victim, of perseverance, of destitution as a temporary aberration calling for compassion, solutions, and politics to alter life for the better.

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2. The passage provides information for responding to all of the following questions EXCEPT:

(A) What was the FSA’s purpose in compiling the photographic file to which Lange contributed?    
(B) How did the FSA react to the photographs taken by Lange under its commission?    
(C) In what areas of the United States did Lange take her photographs appearing in An American Exodus?    
(D) Why did Lange agree to work under the commission of the FSA?
(E) What qualities make Lange’s photographs noteworthy?

Answer should be   D  , IMO. Found by POE. Location of other options, according to me, mentioned next to options

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3. Among the following characterizations, the passage is best viewed as

(A) a survey of the great photographers of the Depression era.
(B) an examination of the photographic techniques of Dorothea Lange.
(C) an argument for the power of pictures to enact social change.
(D) a discussion of the goals and programs of the FSA’s photographic department.
(E) an explanation of Lange’s interest in documenting the plight of Depression victims.

For this question, was confused between B and C but marked B finally because of C stating argument in the option.
Answer should be   B  , IMO.
A, D and E options are mentioned in the passage but quite briefly.

prototypevenom · Answer

Q1 - e
Q2 d
Q3 B

I think ask for explaining when answers are announced

AnirudhaS · Answer

Answers are in  bold .

1. According to the passage, the photograph entitled “Migrant Mother”
(A) appeared in the documentary book An American Exodus.
(B) was accompanied by a caption written by Lange’s husband.
(C) was taken by Lange in 1935.
(D) portrays the mother of a Dust Bowl farm worker.
 (E) is considered by the author to be one of Lange’s best photographs.

Explanation of question 1 
A - Actually it did not, or at least we cannot infer that from the passage. The author talks about the American Exodus in the second paragraph, where he says the American Exodus was produced by Lange and her husband. The Migrant Mother on the other hand most probably is one of the works she did for the FSA (although this cannot be confirmed from the limited passage).
B - No mention of a caption with Migrant Mother.
C - Although she was commissioned by the FSA in the 1930s, it cannot be definitively inferred when she took the photograph Migrant Mother.
D - That was in American Exodus.
E - It is stated in the passage -  " Her finest images  . . .portray people who appear indomitable, unvanquished by their reverses. “Migrant Mother,”"  This means that it was considered to be one of Lange's best photographs. This is our answer.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. The passage provides information for responding to all of the following questions EXCEPT:
(A) What was the FSA’s purpose in compiling the photographic file to which Lange contributed?
(B) How did the FSA react to the photographs taken by Lange under its commission?
(C) In what areas of the United States did Lange take her photographs appearing in An American Exodus?
 (D) Why did Lange agree to work under the commission of the FSA? 
(E) What qualities make Lange’s photographs noteworthy?

Explanation of question 2 
This is an EXCEPT question, which means the passage provides information about 4 choices, the odd one out is our answer.
A - Yes to communicate its human ans social dimensions.
B - They became the symbol of the photographs taken under FSA's commission.
C - California.
D - Yes, this is the answer. Because we do not know the WHY. We do not know why Lange agree to work for the FSA.
E - Many - 1. sharpness of ohotographs, 2. her knowledge of social history, 3. artistic mastery of social sciences.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Among the following characterizations, the passage is best viewed as
(A) a survey of the great photographers of the Depression era.
(B) an examination of the photographic techniques of Dorothea Lange.
 (C) an argument for the power of pictures to enact social change. 
(D) a discussion of the goals and programs of the FSA’s photographic department.
(E) an explanation of Lange’s interest in documenting the plight of Depression victims.

Explanation of question 3 
A - Only one photographer is talkerd about here. Out.
B - The photographic techniques is NOT talked about here.
C - Yes the premise of the passage is power of pictures to enact social changes. However there is no reference to Lange or her works which is the main focus of the passage. So we will keep it in, but if we get a stronger answer we will eliminate this. Lets hold on to this for the while.
D - Absolutely not. 
E - Well actually although Lange did document the plight of the Depression victims, the EXPLANATION, or the WHY she did what she did is unknown from the passage. 
Ok, so as we though we do not have a nice answer to this. But the absence of a better answer makes C our answer.

kris19 · Answer

1. According to the passage, the photograph entitled “Migrant Mother”

(A) appeared in the documentary book An American Exodus.
 not correct: no mention of 'Migrant Mother' photograph in 'Exodus' book

(B) was accompanied by a caption written by Lange’s husband.
  correct: passage says 'Paul Taylor, whose narrative accompanied Lange’s FSA photographs', which include photograph 'Migrant Mother'

(C) was taken by Lange in 1935.
 not correct: no mention of year for this photograph

(D) portrays the mother of a Dust Bowl farm worker.
 not correct: can't infer that this photo represents a farm worker's mother

(E) is considered by the author to be one of Lange’s best photographs.
 not correct: passage says 'Her finest images . . .portray people' and 'Migrant Mother, for example', so we can't infer that this is Lange's best photographs 
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2. The passage provides information for responding to all of the following questions EXCEPT:

(A) What was the FSA’s purpose in compiling the photographic file to which Lange contributed?
 not correct: passage says 'to revitalize the nation’s economy and to communicate its human and social dimensions'

(B) How did the FSA react to the photographs taken by Lange under its commission?
 keep it for further evaluation

(C) In what areas of the United States did Lange take her photographs appearing in An American Exodus?
 not correct: passage says 'Taken from 1935 to 1940, the Exodus pictures became the accepted vision of the migration of Dust Bowl farm workers into California'

(D) Why did Lange agree to work under the commission of the FSA?
 keep it for further evaluation

(E) What qualities make Lange’s photographs noteworthy?
 not correct: passage says 'Her well composed, sharp-focus images reveal a wealth of information'

between B & D: Lange's photos were used as documents for social history, and a documentary book was published. We can answer the question in choice B. So the final answer is D - we don't know why Lange choose to work for FSA  
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Among the following characterizations, the passage is best viewed as

(A) a survey of the great photographers of the Depression era.
 not correct: discussion about only one photographer is given

(B) an examination of the photographic techniques of Dorothea Lange.
 not correct: Lange's techniques enhanced her photos as documents, but this is one aspect of the entire passage

(C) an argument for the power of pictures to enact social change.
  correct: FSA relied on photographs to revitalise and communicate, and these images revealed a wealth of information about the subjects and showed historical evidence that would scarcely be known but for her camera, and finally the Exodus pictures became the accepted vision of the migration of Dust Bowl farm workers into California. So, these examples show the power of pictures to enact social change

(D) a discussion of the goals and programs of the FSA’s photographic department.
 not correct: FSA goals are not discussed

(E) an explanation of Lange’s interest in documenting the plight of Depression victims.
 not correct: no mentioned of motive behind Lange's photography

Ashy Boy · Answer

1. According to the passage, the photograph entitled “Migrant Mother”
 
(A) appeared in the documentary book An American Exodus.  'Migrant Mother' is a photograph taken to illustrate the fine quality of photographs taken by Lange. American exodus comes in perspective later in the passage. 
(B) was accompanied by a caption written by Lange’s husband.  Again, it has been mentioned that her husband helped her with pictures of FSA, however nothing of the sort has been stated for the picture 'Migrant Mother'  
(C) was taken by Lange in 1935.  Nowhere in the passage has it been stated that 'Migrant Mother' was captured in 1935. The only thing that is said is that the Exodus pictures were taken between 1935 and 1940.  
(D) portrays the mother of a Dust Bowl farm worker.  'Migrant Mother' has not been told to portray a Dust Bowl farm worker.  
 (E) is considered by the author to be one of Lange’s best photographs.   Correct. " Her finest images . . .portray people who... Migrant Mother, for example, portrays a sense of the innocent victim... " Thus, 'Migrant Mother' is considered to be one of Lange's best photographs.

2. The passage provides information for responding to all of the following questions EXCEPT:

(A) What was the FSA’s purpose in compiling the photographic file to which Lange contributed?  FSA's purpose has been mentioned to be " ...part of a federal plan to revitalize the nation’s economy and to communicate its human and social dimensions " so this is not correct. 
 (B) How did the FSA react to the photographs taken by Lange under its commission?   Correct. This question hasn't been answered anywhere.  
(C) In what areas of the United States did Lange take her photographs appearing in An American Exodus?  The answer to this question is mentioned in the last line. " ...the Exodus pictures became the accepted vision of the migration of Dust Bowl farm workers into California. " So this option is not correct. 
(D) Why did Lange agree to work under the commission of the FSA?  It was a natural genre for Lange and her husband to work on this. This was the reason Lange agreed." "The documentary book was a natural genre for Lange and her husband Paul Taylor, whose narrative..." . So this option is incorrect too. 
(E) What qualities make Lange’s photographs noteworthy?  The answer to this question is mentioned in the following statement, " Her wellcomposed, sharp-focus images reveal a wealth of information about he subjects and show historical evidence that would scarcely be known but for her camera. "

So B is the correct answer.

3. Among the following characterizations, the passage is best viewed as

(A) a survey of the great photographers of the Depression era.  The passage just mentions Lange and does not throw light on other photographers, so this option is incorrect.  
(B) an examination of the photographic techniques of Dorothea Lange. A close option. The photographic techniques however, is not the key theme the passage wishes to discuss. It just mentions that the sharp focus of the images reveal a lot of information about the subjects. So not an option to go for.  
 (C) an argument for the power of pictures to enact social change.   Correct. The passage is arguing that pictures (example of Lange) can enact social change. In this case, the social change is " ...to revitalize the nation’s economy and to communicate its human and social dimensions ". Thus, this answer is correct. 
(D) a discussion of the goals and programs of the FSA’s photographic department.  This has just been mentioned in one line in the first paragraph and so not the correct option. 
(E) an explanation of Lange’s interest in documenting the plight of Depression victims  The passage does not explain why Lange was interested in documenting the plight of depression victims.

Gowtham91 · Answer

Q1.
 A. Correct  This can be inferred from first sentence of para2. The documentary book was a natural genre for Lange and her husband Paul Taylor, whose narrative accompanied  Lange’s FSA photographs . 
B. "Migrant Mother" is nothing but the caption for the photograph. It may not have been accompanied by another caption. 
C. Specific timeline can't be inferred from the passage. "Taken from 1935 to 1940, the Exodus pictures"
D. Passage doesn't mention if she is the mother or grandmother or anything else. 
E. This is not mentioned.

Q2.
A. The answer to this question - "federal plan to revitalize the nation’s economy and to communicate its human and social dimensions."
B. This is indirectly answered - "symbol of the photographic file of the FSA" This means FSA appreciated her photographs.
C. "migration of Dust Bowl farm workers into California." This means she would have taken photos in California. 
 D. Correct  No context for this, in the passage. 
E. Almost entire para1 deals with this.

Q3. 
A. There is no survey.
 B. Correct  Both para1 and para2 deals with the photographic style of Lange.
C. There is no social change but only record of social history. "photographs as documents for social history". Also there is nno argument. 
D. This is only partial scope of the passage. 
E. Not Depression Victims, but rather "migration of Dust Bowl farm workers into California."

bM22 · Answer

1. According to the passage, the photograph entitled “Migrant Mother”

(A) appeared in the documentary book An American Exodus.
(B) was accompanied by a caption written by Lange’s husband.
(C) was taken by Lange in 1935.
(D) portrays the mother of a Dust Bowl farm worker.
 (E) is considered by the author to be one of Lange’s best photographs.
 
 Correct Answer - E
 Explanation - as its the only option which is explicitly mentioned in the passage: "Her finest images . . .portray people who appear indomitable, unvanquished by their reverses. “Migrant Mother,” for example, portrays a sense of the innocent victim, of perseverance, of destitution as a temporary aberration calling for compassion, solutions, and politics to alter life for the better."
Option A, B, C - incorrect, as it might have, but is not explicitly mentioned in the passage.
Option D - incorrect, as it might be a photograph of the Dust Bowl farm worker, not the mother of Dust Bowl farm worker.

2. The passage provides information for responding to all of the following questions EXCEPT:

(A) What was the FSA’s purpose in compiling the photographic file to which Lange contributed?
(B) How did the FSA react to the photographs taken by Lange under its commission?
(C) In what areas of the United States did Lange take her photographs appearing in An American Exodus?
 (D) Why did Lange agree to work under the commission of the FSA?
 (E) What qualities make Lange’s photographs noteworthy?

Correct Answer - D
 Explanation - its only question, which has not been discussed in the passage, and the answer to which cannot be deduced from the passage.
Option A - incorrect, as can be deduced from the passage as: "Dorothea Lange was perhaps the most notable of the photographers commissioned during the 1930s by the Farm Security Administration (FSA), part of a federal plan to revitalize the nation’s economy and to communicate its human and social dimensions."
Option B - incorrect, as can be deduced from the passage as: "The power of that photograph, which became the symbol of the photographic file of the FSA, endures today."
Option C - incorrect, as can be deduced from the passage as: "Taken from 1935 to 1940, the Exodus pictures became the accepted vision of the migration of Dust Bowl farm workers into California."
Option E - incorrect, as can be deduced from the passage as: "The value of Lange’s photographs as documents for social history is enhanced by her technical and artistic mastery of the medium. Her wellcomposed, sharp-focus images reveal a wealth of information about he subjects and show historical evidence that would scarcely be known but for her camera."

3. Among the following characterizations, the passage is best viewed as

(A) a survey of the great photographers of the Depression era.
(B) an examination of the photographic techniques of Dorothea Lange.
 (C) an argument for the power of pictures to enact social change.
 (D) a discussion of the goals and programs of the FSA’s photographic department.
(E) an explanation of Lange’s interest in documenting the plight of Depression victims.

Correct Answer - C
 Explanation - can be best understood from these lines in the passage: "Dorothea Lange was perhaps the most notable of the photographers commissioned during the 1930s by the Farm Security Administration (FSA), part of a federal plan to revitalize the nation’s economy and to communicate its human and social dimensions."
The whole passage, talks about the expressiveness of Lange’s pictures, whom FSA hired for the sole reason to cause a social change.
Option A - incorrect, as only 1 photographer is discussed throughtout the passage.
Option B - incorrect, no such techniques have been discussed in the passage.
Option D - incorrect, not discussed in the passage.
option E - incorrect, no interest of Lange in documenting the plight of Depression victims. has been discussed.

GDT · Answer

1. According to the passage, the photograph entitled “Migrant Mother”

(A) appeared in the documentary book An American Exodus.  Incorrect. This photo was in FSA files 
(B) was accompanied by a caption written by Lange’s husband.  Incorrect 
(C) was taken by Lange in 1935.  Incorrect. This time period is for Dust Bowl farmers photos 
(D) portrays the mother of a Dust Bowl farm worker.  Incorrect. Same reason as C 
(E) is considered by the author to be one of Lange’s best photographs.   Correct. This can be inferred from the following excerpt:
"Her finest images . . .portray people who appear indomitable, unvanquished by their reverses. “Migrant Mother,” for example,"

2. The passage provides information for responding to all of the following questions EXCEPT:

(A) What was the FSA’s purpose in compiling the photographic file to which Lange contributed?  Incorrect.  
(B) How did the FSA react to the photographs taken by Lange under its commission?  Incorrect.  
(C) In what areas of the United States did Lange take her photographs appearing in An American Exodus?  Incorrect.  
(D) Why did Lange agree to work under the commission of the FSA?   Correct  
(E) What qualities make Lange’s photographs noteworthy?  Incorrect.

3. Among the following characterizations, the passage is best viewed as

(A) a survey of the great photographers of the Depression era.  Incorrect. Only Lange is discussed 
(B) an examination of the photographic techniques of Dorothea Lange.   Correct. Throughout the passage reasons are given for why Lange was perhaps the most notable of all photographers commissioned by FSA  
(C) an argument for the power of pictures to enact social change.  incorrect 
(D) a discussion of the goals and programs of the FSA’s photographic department.  Incorrect. Not the main point 
(E) an explanation of Lange’s interest in documenting the plight of Depression victims.  incorrect. this appears only in 2nd para

Sajjad1994 · Answer

OAs of this RC are as follow:

1. E
2. D
3. C

Best explanation once again is by  AnirudhaS  and  bm2201 . The second best I would say is by  Ashy_Boy . Good Luck for the next RCs and stay tuned for Leaders’ board. We have 6 more days left in the competition so take as maximum advantage as you can.

Regards

VerbalBot · Answer

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Dorothea Lange was perhaps the most notable of the photographers commi

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