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19 Jun 2025, 23:48
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Question 1
C
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:
70% (02:14) correct
30%
(02:22) wrong
based on 93
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In the field of Kafka studies and its various related subfields, perhaps the most controversial figure is Max Brod, Franz Kafka's publisher, biographer, and closest friend. Although it is thanks to Brod that we possess any of Kafka's writing-Kafka only allowed his writing to be published at Brod's insistence and had asked Brod to burn all his writing upon his death, which Brod did not do-Brod is considered by many Kafka specialists and enthusiasts to have possessed a meager understanding of his friend's writing and importance. A prolific writer, Brod's writing has in time been greatly overshadowed by Kafka's, and many find his compositions to be blunt and crude when compared to Kafka's abstruse elegance; this contrast was further emphasized by their personalities, with Brod being gregarious and a notorious womanizer, whereas Kafka was withdrawn and shy. Based on this contrast, many in the field of Kafka studies feel that Brod-being the only channel through which we know Kafka-in some ways tainted the "pure" Kafka in the editorial process, and the search for unpublished manuscripts of Kafka (free of Brod's influence) has become for many an obsession.
According to the passage, why is Max Brod described as a "controversial figure"?
(A) Although Brod was Kafka's closest friend, many wonder if Kafka objected to Brod's editorial alterations of his writing.
(B) Because of the divergence of their upbringings, Brod and Kafka had difficulty seeing eye to eye with one another.
(C) Although he is the only source of Kafka's writings, Brod is thought to have poorly understood Kafka's writing.
(D) Brod's lascivious behavior repulsed Kafka, who wished for someone more refined to edit his work.
(E) Upon Kafka's death, Brod burned all of Kafka's remaining writings, suggesting that he did not properly recognize his friend's incredible talent.
(A) Although Brod was Kafka's closest friend, many wonder if Kafka objected to Brod's editorial alterations of his writing.
(B) Because of the divergence of their upbringings, Brod and Kafka had difficulty seeing eye to eye with one another.
(C) Although he is the only source of Kafka's writings, Brod is thought to have poorly understood Kafka's writing.
(D) Brod's lascivious behavior repulsed Kafka, who wished for someone more refined to edit his work.
(E) Upon Kafka's death, Brod burned all of Kafka's remaining writings, suggesting that he did not properly recognize his friend's incredible talent.
22 Jun 2025, 05:00
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OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
C
The reasons Brod is described as a controversial figure are a major focus of this passage, so researching this question should give you little trouble. The correct answer comes from the sentence in which the author tells you what "many in the field" feel about Brod: he was incapable of appreciating Kafka's work despite being its sole caretaker. Choice (A), while saying nothing that directly contradicts the passage, is not supported by the passage, either. No mention is made of Kafka's feelings towards Brod's editing. That's the first choice you can eliminate. Choices (B) and (D) both possess language not contained in the passage. The passage does not discuss Kafka's and Brod's upbringings or Kafka being "repulsed" by Brod's lifestyle. Choice (E) sounds reminiscent of the passage, but the passage describes Kafka's wish to have his writing burned, a wish Brod denies. Choice (E) misstates this situation and is, thus, also incorrect. Choice (C), however, paraphrases the concern of those in the field who believe that Brod did not really comprehend Kafka's writing (although he saw its importance). That is the correct answer.
C
The reasons Brod is described as a controversial figure are a major focus of this passage, so researching this question should give you little trouble. The correct answer comes from the sentence in which the author tells you what "many in the field" feel about Brod: he was incapable of appreciating Kafka's work despite being its sole caretaker. Choice (A), while saying nothing that directly contradicts the passage, is not supported by the passage, either. No mention is made of Kafka's feelings towards Brod's editing. That's the first choice you can eliminate. Choices (B) and (D) both possess language not contained in the passage. The passage does not discuss Kafka's and Brod's upbringings or Kafka being "repulsed" by Brod's lifestyle. Choice (E) sounds reminiscent of the passage, but the passage describes Kafka's wish to have his writing burned, a wish Brod denies. Choice (E) misstates this situation and is, thus, also incorrect. Choice (C), however, paraphrases the concern of those in the field who believe that Brod did not really comprehend Kafka's writing (although he saw its importance). That is the correct answer.
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