In the 1950s, reading was taught to young children primarily through t

TaN1213

valid question but if you notice the shift in focus of the passage in second paragraph where author doesn't stop at talking about the response "In response, a publisher commissioned Theodore Geisel, who wrote children’s books under the pen name “Dr. Seuss,” to write a book that “a first grader can’t put down. "
and later goes on emphasizing on Geisel's work perfectly summarizing in the last paragraph "The Dr. Seuss books revolutionized the children’s book industry by proving that it was possible to create engaging books with a limited vocabulary" gives us the primary intent of the author which is to applaud how Giesel changed the industry.

Hope this helps.

1.The main function of the first paragraph is

A.to introduce Fletch’s approach to writing children’s books
Fletch attack the primers, we do not know if his best seling book introduces an approaach
B. to describe the “Dick and Jane” primers used in most school
Not much is discussed about “Dick and Jane”
C. to advocate the increase of children’s books in bookstores
First para has nothing about book sales
D. to establish the premise that the status quo in the early 1950s was not satisfactory for teaching children how to read
The first paragraph speaks about how the existing books for children are “horrible, stupid, insipid, … tasteless little readers”
The last sentence is sums up the para "Fletch also bemoaned the fact that there was not a single book in bookstores that first and second graders could read by themselves."
Which is what D is basically telling you.
E. to praise Fletch’s 1955 book Why Johnny Can’t Read
The author does not praise fletchs book anywhere, the author does not give his opinion anywhere in the first, but rather only quotes from his books


2.The author provides a brief synopsis of the plot of The Cat in the Hat primarily in order to

A. introduce the reader to the various characters in the book
Although he does introduce various characters, that is not why the author provides a brief synopsis. Seems like a lot of extra trouble
B. contrast the story of The Cat in the Hat with those of the “boring” primers of the era
the author says Geisel's stories are whimsical, making it fun to read aloud, it is a contrast.

C and D is trying to sell the bizzare plot of the story and even though it make seem bizarre to few readers,the first fews lines of the second para says in response Dr Seuss to write a book that “a first grader can’t put down. Author was going to emphazise on Fun rather than bizzare

C. demonstrate how bizarre the plot of the book is
D. assert that talking cats and fish exist

E. warn parents that leaving children home alone can be dangerous
Its a childrens book, author would not write a childrens book to warn parents. Seems a bit comical.


3. The primary purpose of this passage is to
A. describe how Geisel changed the children’s book industry
There was a background Problem..in response Geisel solved it therby changing the industry... FIts
B. support the conclusions of Fletch
Fletch's conclusion isnt mentioned in any of the three paragraphs,
C. compare and contrast the philosophies of Fletch and Geisel
There is no comparison made between Fletch and Geisel in any of the three paragraphs
D. demonstrate the popularity of Geisel’s books
captures only the third paragraphs,
E. summarize the state of the children’s book industry
Although author talks about how Dr. Seuss books revolutionized the children’s book industry and talks about the industry before Dr Seuss, we do not know the anything else about the state of the book industry.

Hello,
Thanks for highlighting the shift in the tone of the author where the author praises Geisel dramatically for rest of the paragraphs. I believe in such scenarios our answer should also 'dramatically' talk about the author's favorite.
A new learning approach indeed. Thanks

1.The main function of the first paragraph is

A. to introduce Fletch’s approach to writing children’s books
>Passage uses Fletch’s book as an example to convey the state of children books in 1950’s

B. to describe the “Dick and Jane” primers used in most school
>to0 narrow scope

C. to advocate the increase of children’s books in bookstores
>Its not about increasing children books, its about increasing the books readable by children

D. to establish the premise that the status quo in the early 1950s was not satisfactory for teaching children how to read
>Conveys the intent of the first para

E. to praise Fletch’s 1955 book Why Johnny Can’t Read
>Rather than praise, the author is criticising Feltch

2.The author provides a brief synopsis of the plot of The Cat in the Hat primarily in order to

We should pick a option which shows a contrast how “The cat in the hat” is different from earlier child books mentioned in first para.

A. introduce the reader to the various characters in the book
> Out of scope, as it talks only about the book “The cat in the hat”

B. contrast the story of The Cat in the Hat with those of the “boring” primers of the era
>Brings the required contrast

C. demonstrate how bizarre the plot of the book is
> Out of scope, as it talks only about the book “The cat in the hat”

D. assert that talking cats and fish exist
> Out of scope, as it talks only about the book “The cat in the hat”

E. warn parents that leaving children home alone can be dangerous
> Out of scope, as it talks only about the book “The cat in the hat”

3. The primary purpose of this passage is to

A. describe how Geisel changed the children’s book industry
>As mentioned in the first line of 3rd para

B. support the conclusions of Fletch
>Rather, author criticises Fletch

C. compare and contrast the philosophies of Fletch and Geisel
>Author does this, however this is not the main intent

D. demonstrate the popularity of Geisel’s books
>Author does this, however this is not the main intent

E. summarize the state of the children’s book industry
>Author does this, however this is not the main intent

In option E (last question), what anything else are you talking about? I marked option E as the correct answer thinking it has a wider view than option A. Option A talks only about para 2 and 3. However, option E covers the whole passage.

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.