1. Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?(A) By drawing on elements from the two opposing strains of Russian literary criticism, Dostoyevsky developed the theoretical apparatus for a new direction in Russian literature.
(B) In opposition to the views of the two most prominent groups of Russian literary critics, Dostoyevsky believed that literature should keep itself removed from reality.
(C) Dostoyevsky’s indictment of the radical Russian critics rested solely on his objection to the radical critics’ stipulation that literature be useful to society.
(D) In his critical writings, Dostoyevsky championed the freedom of the artist against the narrow constraints imposed by the radical Russian critics’ concern with the depiction of reality.
(E) Dostoyevsky’s position on literature differed sharply from that of the radical Russian critics with respect to the nature of reality, the importance of formal aspects in a literary work, and the utility of art.
2. Which one of the following works most clearly exemplifies writing Dostoyevsky would have deemed “artistic”?(A) a fictionalized account based on interviews with patients that illustrates the brutal facts of illness
(B) a novel in which the author’s ideas are given substance through suitable characters and events
(C) a novel in which the author attempted to use allegory to communicate a criticism of feudal society
(D) an autobiographical essay in which the author chronicles the outstanding events in his life
(E) a short story in which the characters debate how to solve various social problems
3. According to the passage, Dostoyevsky disagreed with the radical critics’ view of realism in literature because he believed(A) reality is not independent of the experiences of individuals
(B) realism is unequal to the task of representing political views
(C) art should be elevated above the portrayal of reality
(D) realism does not in fact facilitate the exposure of social inequities or contribute to the creation of a new society
(E) reality is not the crucial source of successful literature
4. In the context of the passage, the description of a work of literature as “useful” mainly refers to its(A) proficiency at depicting the realm of the fantastic
(B) effectiveness at communicating the author’s ideas
(C) ability to help bring about social change
(D) facility for exploding the boundaries of the tangible world
(E) capacity to advance a particular theory of literature
5. Which one of the following most accurately describes the organization of the material presented in the passage?(A) Three positions are presented and each is elaborated in detail.
(B) Three positions are presented and the third is differentiated from the first two in detail.
(C) Three positions are presented and the third is differentiated from the second in detail.
(D) Three positions are presented and the third is shown to be superior to the first two.
(E) Three positions are presented and the third is shown to be inferior to the second.
6. It can be inferred from the passage that Dostoyevsky would most likely have agreed with which one of the following statements about the view held by some Russian critics that art should stand high above the present and everyday?(A) It is correct because of its requirement that art have a strong element of the fantastic.
(B) It is correct because it recognizes that reality is more than just an enumeration of the mundane details of life.
(C) It is incorrect because reality must be the foundation of all literature.
(D) It is incorrect because it makes no distinction between reality and fantasy.
(E) It is incorrect because of its insistence that art further some societal end.
7. Given the information in the passage, Dostoyevsky would have been most likely to agree with which one of the following statements about works of literature?(A) Only works of literature that are well written can serve a particular political view.
(B) Only works of literature that serve a particular political view can be said to be well written.
(C) Works of literature that are not well written always attempt to serve a particular political view.
(D) A work of literature that is well written cannot serve any particular political view.
(E) A work of literature that serves a particular political view cannot be well written.
8. The passage suggests that Dostoyevsky’s attitude toward the radical critics’ view would be most softened if the radical critics were to(A) draw a sharper distinction between reality and fantasy when evaluating the content of a literary work
(B) put clarity of purpose ahead of formal aspects when evaluating a literary work
(C) acknowledge the importance of eliminating elements of concrete reality from literary works
(D) recognize the full significance of artistic merit when evaluating literary works
(E) explain more fully their demand that reality be depicted as it is