Innovations in language are never completely new. When the words used

Question

Innovations in language are never completely new. When the words used for familiar things change, or words for new things enter the language, they are usually borrowed or adapted from stock. Assuming new roles, they drag their old meanings along behind them like flickering shadows. This seems especially true of the language of the contemporary school of literary criticism that now prefers to describe its work simply and rather presumptuously as “theory” but is still popularly referred to as poststructuralism or deconstruction.

The first neologisms adopted by this movement were  signifier  and  signified , employed to distinguish words from their referents, and to illustrate the arbitrariness of the terms we choose. The use of these particular terms (rather than, respectively, word and thing) underlined the seriousness of the naming process and its claim on our attention. Since in English “to signify” can also mean “to portend,” these terms also suggest that words predict coming events.

With the use of the term  deconstruction  we move into another and more complex realm of meaning. The most common use of the terms  construction  and  deconstruction  is in the building trades, and their borrowing by literary theorists for a new type of criticism cannot help but have certain overtones to the outsider. First, the usage suggests that the creation and critical interpretation of literature are not organic but mechanical processes; that the author of any piece of writing is not an inspired, intuitive artist, but merely a laborer who cobbles existing materials (words) into more or less conventional structures. The term  deconstruction  implies that the text has been put together like a building or a piece of machinery, and that it is in need of being taken apart, not so much in order to repair it as to demonstrate underlying inadequacies, false assumptions, and inherent contradictions. This process can supposedly be repeated many times and by many literary hard hats; it is expected that each deconstruction will reveal additional flaws and expose the illusions or bad faith of the builder. The fact that deconstructionists prefer to describe their activities as  deconstruction  rather than criticism is also revealing.  Criticism  and  critic  derive from the Greek  kritikos , “skillful in judging, decisive.”  Deconstruction , on the other hand, has no overtones of skill or wisdom; it merely suggests demolition of an existing building. In popular usage criticism suggests censure but not change. If we find fault with a building, we may condemn it, but we do not carry out the demolition ourselves. The deconstructionist, by implication, is both judge and executioner who leaves a text totally dismantled, if not reduced to a pile of rubble.   1 
 A 
 1. Which one of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?

(A) Implicit in the terminology of the school of criticism known as  deconstruction  are meanings that reveal the true nature of the deconstructionist’s endeavor.
(B) The appearance of the terms  signifier  and  signified  in the field of literary theory anticipated the appearance of an even more radical idea known as deconstruction.
(C) Innovations in language and the relations between old and new meanings of terms are a special concern of the new school of criticism known as  deconstruction. 
(D) Deconstructionists maintain that it is insufficient merely to judge a work; the critic must actively dismantle it.
(E) Progress in the field of literary theory is best achieved by looking for new terms like  signifier  and  deconstruction  that might suggest new critical approaches to a work.

2 
 E 
 2. Which one of the following is a claim that the author passage makes about deconstructionists?

(A) Deconstructionists would not have been able to formulate their views adequately without the terms  signifier  and  signified .
(B) Deconstructionists had no particular purpose in mind in choosing to use neologisms.
(C) Deconstructionists do not recognize that their own theory contains inherent contradictions.
(D) Deconstructionists find little interest in the relationship between words and their referents.
(E) Deconstructionists use the terms  signifier  and  signified  to stress the importance of the process of naming.

3 
 C 
 3. Which one of the following generalizations about inventions is most analogous to the author’s point about innovation in language?

(A) A new invention usually consists of components that are specifically manufactured for the new invention.
(B) A new invention is usually behind the times, never making as much use of all the available modern technology as it could.
(C) A new invention usually consists of components that are already available but are made to function in new ways.
(D) A new invention is most useful when it is created with attention to the historical tradition established by implements previously used to do the same job.
(E) A new invention is rarely used to its full potential because it is surrounded by out-of-date technology that hinders its application.

4 
 B 
 4. The author of the passage uses the word “ criticism ” in lines 37–45 primarily in order to

(A) give an example
(B) introduce a contrast
(C) undermine an argument
(D) codify a system
(E) dismiss an objection

5 
 C 
 5. Which one of the following best describes the function of the second paragraph within the passage as a whole?

(A) It introduces a hypothesis that the author later expands upon.
(B) It qualifies a claim made earlier by the author.
(C) It develops an initial example of the author’s general thesis.
(D) It predicts a development.
(E) It presents a contrasting view.

6 
 B 
 6. The passage suggests that the author most probably holds the view that an important characteristic of literary criticism is that it

(A) demonstrate false assumptions and inherent contradictions
(B) employ skill and insight
(C) be carried out by one critic rather than many
(D) reveal how a text is put together like a building
(E) point out the superiority of conventional text structures

7 
 D 
 7. The passage suggests that which one of the following most accurately describes the author’s view of deconstructionist thought?

(A) The author is guardedly optimistic about the ability of deconstruction to reveal the intentions and biases of a writer.
(B) The author endorses the utility of deconstruction for revealing the role of older meanings of words.
(C) The author is enthusiastic about the significant neologisms that deconstruction has introduced into literary criticism.
(D) The author regards deconstruction’s tendency to focus only on the problems and faults of literary texts as too mechanical.
(E) The author condemns deconstruction’s attempts to define literary criticism as a creative act.

auradediligodo · Accepted Answer

Definitely not an easy passage to read.

P1: no innovation in new words and deconstructionists as new critics
P2: two words used by deconstructionists
P3: Explanation of deconstructionism as theory, process and meaning

MP: discuss deconstructionism

1.  Which one of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?

Pre-thinking:
 Refer to main point formulation

(A) Implicit in the terminology of the school of criticism known as deconstruction are meanings that reveal the true nature of the deconstructionist’s endeavor.
 This is true as the last part of the last paragraph says. Although I would mark it as partial scope let's leave this for later.

(B) The appearance of the terms signifier and signified in the field of literary theory anticipated the appearance of an even more radical idea known as deconstruction.
 Signifier and signified are discussed only in P2 and cannot express the main idea of the passage alone. Hence incorrect

(C) Innovations in language and the relations between old and new meanings of terms are a special concern of the new school of criticism known as deconstruction.
 Interesting choice. It is broad enough and true according to the passage. Let's leave it for later

(D) Deconstructionists maintain that it is insufficient merely to judge a work; the critic must actively dismantle it.
 Never mentioned as a requirement although this is what deconstructionists do. Plus partial scope as mentioned only in the last part of the last paragraph. Hence incorrect

(E) Progress in the field of literary theory is best achieved by looking for new terms like signifier and deconstruction that might suggest new critical approaches to a work.
 Completely out of scope. Hence incorrect.

Although the correct answer choice is A I think it is not broad enough and refers only to few lines in the last paragraphs. Choice C on the contrary is broader and would make more sense here.

Any help on this one?

2.  Which one of the following is a claim that the author passage makes about deconstructionists?

Pre-thinking:
 Refer to P1 and to P3 to answer this question. The author thinks of deconstructionists as presumptuous and thinks that the meaning of the word itself is reaviling

(A) Deconstructionists would not have been able to formulate their views adequately without the terms signifier and signified.
Cannot be inferred from the given information. Hence incorrect

(B) Deconstructionists had no particular purpose in mind in choosing to use neologisms.
 Cannot be inferred from the given information . Hence incorrect

(C) Deconstructionists do not recognize that their own theory contains inherent contradictions.
 Which are the contradictions? Hence incorrect

(D) Deconstructionists find little interest in the relationship between words and their referents.
 I think opposite since they invented the words signifier and signified. Hence incorrect

(E) Deconstructionists use the terms signifier and signified to stress the importance of the process of naming.
 Refer to these lines:"The use of these particular terms (rather than, respectively, word and thing) underlined the seriousness of the naming process and its claim on our attention." Hence correct

3.  Which one of the following generalizations about inventions is most analogous to the author’s point about innovation in language?

Pre-thinking:
 Refer to the very first sentence of the passage.

(A) A new invention usually consists of components that are specifically manufactured for the new invention.
 Opposite. Hence incorrect

(B) A new invention is usually behind the times, never making as much use of all the available modern technology as it could.
 the technology is not mentioned as a means for creating new words. Hence incorrect

(C) A new invention usually consists of components that are already available but are made to function in new ways.
 In line with the first sentence of the passage. Hence correct

(D) A new invention is most useful when it is created with attention to the historical tradition established by implements previously used to do the same job.
 Nowhere mentioned. Hence incorrect

(E) A new invention is rarely used to its full potential because it is surrounded by out-of-date technology that hinders its application.
 Never mentioned. Hence incorrect

4 . The author of the passage uses the word “criticism” in lines 37–45 primarily in order to

Pre-thinking:
 Criticism here is used to contrast the term deconstruction on the very etymology of the two words

(A) give an example
 Not the purpose here. Hence incorrect

(B) introduce a contrast
 Yes, with deconstruction since deconstructionists pretend to be critics but the meaning of the word itself suggest an extra function that they perform. Hence correct

(C) undermine an argument
 No argument is undermined here. Hence incorrect

(D) codify a system
 Completely out of scope. Hence incorrect

(E) dismiss an objection
 No objection is made and dismissed. Hence incorrect

5.  Which one of the following best describes the function of the second paragraph within the passage as a whole?

Pre-Thinking
 The second passage introduces two terms used by deconstructionists: signifier and signified. These terms mean that we can choose arbitrary the meaning of the words. Also it is noted that words can predict coming events. 
the correct answer choice will be along these lines

(A) It introduces a hypothesis that the author later expands upon.
 No hypothesis is expanded on .Hence incorrect

(B) It qualifies a claim made earlier by the author.
 No claim is qualified. Hence incorrect

(C) It develops an initial example of the author’s general thesis.
 Yes because it talks about two terms invented by deconstructionists, who were mentioned in the last line of the preceding paragraph.

(D) It predicts a development.
 the paragraph says that words can predict events. Hence incorrect

(E) It presents a contrasting view.
 No contrasting view is presented. Hence incorrect

6.  The passage suggests that the author most probably holds the view that an important characteristic of literary criticism is that it

Pre-thinking:
 Literary criticism is discussed in the last lines of the last paragraph, so refer to that portion. Criticism and critics are analyzed in light of their etymologies(original meaning) stating that they talk about what's wrong with a particular word but they don't act fro changing it. So we can infer that an important feature of critics is  not to change  words but only  criticize  them. Plus look at the meaning:  skilled in judging and decisive

(A) demonstrate false assumptions and inherent contradictions
 If you look closely at the portion of the passage mentioned in the Prethinking you will notice that these features are never mentioned. hence incorrect

(B) employ skill and insight
 This is the etymology itself. Hence correct

(C) be carried out by one critic rather than many
 Never mentioned and cannot be inferred. Hence incorrect

(D) reveal how a text is put together like a building
 This is what deconstructionists do. Hence incorrect

(E) point out the superiority of conventional text structures
 Cannot be inferred by the given information. Hence incorrect.

7.  The passage suggests that which one of the following most accurately describes the author’s view of deconstructionist thought?

Pre- thinking: 
 The author believes that they are different from critics since their name implies an extra function that critics don't have(change).

(A) The author is guardedly optimistic about the ability of deconstruction to reveal the intentions and biases of a writer.
 No optimism. Hence incorrect

(B) The author endorses the utility of deconstruction for revealing the role of older meanings of words.
 The author never endorses anything about deconstructionists.Hence incorrect

(C) The author is enthusiastic about the significant neologisms that deconstruction has introduced into literary criticism.
 No enthusiasm is shown. Hence incorrect

(D) The author regards deconstruction’s tendency to focus only on the problems and faults of literary texts as too mechanical.
 I marked this answer as incorrect since the  too  seemed to me extreme. The author views deconstructionists as mechanical but there is no information to make this inference I believe.

(E) The author condemns deconstruction’s attempts to define literary criticism as a creative act.
 The author never condemn deconstructionism. Hence incorrect

Any help on D?

WiziusCareers1 · Answer

1. Which one of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?

(A) Implicit in the terminology of the school of criticism known as deconstruction are meanings that reveal the true nature of the deconstructionist’s endeavor.
(B) The appearance of the terms  signifier  and  signified  in the field of literary theory anticipated the appearance of an even more radical idea known as deconstruction.
(C) Innovations in language and the relations between old and new meanings of terms are a special concern of the new school of criticism known as deconstruction.
(D) Deconstructionists maintain that it is insufficient merely to judge a work; the critic must actively dismantle it.
(E) Progress in the field of literary theory is best achieved by looking for new terms like signifier and deconstruction that might suggest new critical approaches to a work.

Explanation: 
 A) Correct answer 
 B) These literary terms didn’t pre-date deconstruction 
 C) This is just a mention in paragraph 2 and certainly not the main point 
 D) This is the author's opinion of deconstruction and not of deconstructionists 
 E) contradicts the author's attitude towards these words

WiziusCareers1 · Answer

2. Which one of the following is a claim that the author passage makes about deconstructionists?

(A) Deconstructionists would not have been able to formulate their views adequately without the terms signifier and signified.
(B) Deconstructionists had no particular purpose in mind in choosing to use neologisms.
(C) Deconstructionists do not recognize that their own theory contains inherent contradictions.
(D) Deconstructionists find little interest in the relationship between words and their referents.
(E) Deconstructionists use the terms signifier and signified to stress the importance of the process of naming.

Explanation: 
 A) Extreme answer. The author doesn't suggest that deconstruction would be IMPOSSIBLE without these words. 
 B) Opposite answer. Paragraph 1 suggests that deconstruction was chosen for very specific reason. 
 C) Not mentioned in the passage. 
 D) Opposite answer. Deconstructionist are interested in this relationship. 
 E) Correct answer

WiziusCareers1 · Answer

3. Which one of the following generalizations about inventions is most analogous to the author’s point about innovation in language?

(A) A new invention usually consists of components that are specifically manufactured for the new invention.
(B) A new invention is usually behind the times, never making as much use of all the available modern technology as it could.
(C) A new invention usually consists of components that are already available but are made to function in new ways.
(D) A new invention is most useful when it is created with attention to the historical tradition established by implements previously used to do the same job.
(E) A new invention is rarely used to its full potential because it is surrounded by out-of-date technology that hinders its application.

Explanation: 
 A) Not the author's idea. The author believed that invention is the use of something to a new end.  
 B) Same as (A). 
 C) Correct answer 
 D) Same as (A) 
 E) Same as (A)

WiziusCareers1 · Answer

4. The author of the passage uses the word “criticism” in lines 37–45 primarily in order to

(A) give an example
(B) introduce a contrast
(C) undermine an argument
(D) codify a system
(E) dismiss an objection

Explanation: 
The author clearly defines criticism in the paragraph and show how it differs from deconstruction. Hence, the word criticism is used to show the contrast. 
The answer is (B).

Luca1111111111111 · Answer

I marked D as the correct answer because of:
"First, the usage suggests that the creation and critical interpretation of literature are  not organic but mechanical processes ; that the author of any piece of writing is not an inspired, intuitive artist, but merely  a laborer who cobbles existing materials  (words) into more or less conventional structures. The term deconstruction implies that the text has been put together  like a building or a piece of machinery "

manass · Answer

can someone explain q6 and q7

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

6. The passage suggests that the author most probably holds the view that an important characteristic of literary criticism is that it

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

In Para 3 , the author’s disapproval of deconstruction, which he thinks  “has no overtones of skill or wisdom,”  is evident. Equally apparent is his approval of criticism, which is based on  “skill and insight.”

(A)  Deconstructionists—not the author—think that it’s important to  “demonstrate false assumptions and inherent contradictions.”

(C)  The author has problems with deconstructionist philosophy, not with the number of deconstructionists (or, for that matter, other critics) who may analyze a work.

(D)  is a metaphor for an analytic process favored by deconstructionists. The author is critical of this analytic process.

(E)  distorts a detail in  lines 26-27 . The author doesn’t make any judgements about text structures; he makes a judgement about differing modes of literary criticism.

Answer: B

7. The passage suggests that which one of the following most accurately describes the author’s view of deconstructionist thought?

Difficulty Level:   650

Explanation

This choice both reflects the author’s generally negative attitude toward deconstruction, and echoes his comment in  lines 23-25.

(A),(B),(C)  The author isn’t  “guardedly optimistic”   (A)  or  “enthusiastic” (C)  about deconstruction. Nor does he “endorse” it in any  respect (B).  Indeed, he’s critical of deconstruction’s search for authorial bias, as well as the way it uses words and neologisms.

(E)  is too strongly negative in tone. Besides, according to the author, deconstructionists don’t think of literary criticism as a  “creative act.”  Just the opposite; it’s a repetitive,  “mechanical”  process.

Answer: D

Hope it helps

ballest127 · Answer

Hi Experts,

Can you please post OE for question 1 and 2?

I really have no idea why those OA are correct.

Thank you.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

1. Which one of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?

Difficulty Level:   750

Explanation

(A)  This choice nicely captures the topic, scope, and purpose of the passage.

(B)  These literary terms didn’t pre-date deconstruction; rather, deconstructionists turned these words into literary terms. Besides, this is a mere detail in  para 2 ; it’s certainly not the text’s main idea.

(C)  also plays on a detail in  para 2 .

(D)  focuses on a detail in  para 3 . Moreover, this choice reflects the author’s opinion of deconstruction, which isn’t necessarily what deconstructionists think of deconstruction.

(E)  This choice contradicts the author’s critical attitude toward evaluating literature in light of  “borrowed or adapted”  terminology.

The correct answer to global questions must be broad enough to encompass the contents of the entire passage.  Avoid choices—like (B), (C), and (D)  here—that blow up details into  “main ideas.”

Answer: A

2. Which one of the following is a claim that the author passage makes about deconstructionists?

Difficulty Level:   750

Explanation

(E)  This choice is a good paraphrase of  lines 12-15.  (and to illustrate the arbitrariness of the terms we choose. The use of these particular terms  (rather than, respectively, word and thing) underlined the seriousness of the naming process and its claim on our attention.)

(A)  The author never claims that deconstruction would have been impossible without the use of these terms. He refers to them simply to highlight an aspect of deconstructionist philosophy.

(B)  First three lines of  2nd paragraph  indicate that deconstructionists have chosen neologisms for very specific reasons.

(C)  The author never says that deconstruction  “contains inherent contradictions.”  What he says is that deconstructionists are on the lookout for contradictions in the work of others.

(D)  is another au contraire choice. Deconstructionists are interested enough  “in the relationship between words and their referents”  that they’ve developed terminology to illustrate this relationship.

The best approach to explicit text questions is to go back to the passage and reread. Don’t answer based on a hunch or a vague recollection of the text.

Answer: E

Hope it helps

hero_with_1000_faces · Answer

I would call this "A migrane granting passage". 17 mins got 1 wrong, but many of them where sound/educated guesses.

SajjadAhmad  thanks for posting answers.

Ansh777 · Answer

GMATNinja   VeritasKarishma   Sajjad1994

Hi, Please help me understand this passage more strategically and with better comprehension.

My comprehension of the passage ( took 8mins):
P1- Innovation in language not new, words copied,but word retain old meaning.
P2- Explained para 1 with example of word signify.
P3- Another eg- deconstruction. Difference deconstruction & criticism.
Authors tone is descriptive.

I got 3 out of 6 incorrect. (Question 1, 2,5)

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Passage Map

Topic and Scope:

The literary philosophy of deconstruction; specifically, the connection between its terminology and its methods.

Purpose and Main Idea:

The author’s purpose is to demonstrate that links exist between deconstruction’s terminology and its methods; the author argues that deconstructionist terminology provides clear insights into deconstruction’s methods.

Paragraph Structure:

Paragraphs 1  and  2  essentially point out that deconstructionist terminology reflects the philosophy’s methods. The words—along with their prior meanings—that deconstructionists have  “borrowed or adapted from stock”  to define their philosophy imply certain things about that philosophy.

Paragraph 3  is the heart of the text. This para discusses the specific ways in which the term deconstruction sheds light on deconstructionist methods. Basically, this term, which is taken from the construction industry, highlights deconstructionist efforts to demolish, rather than simply criticize, literary works.

StillON · Answer

Can someone please explain Q1 and Q2

bM22 · Answer

Hi  StillON ,

Let us know if these official explanations help:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/innovations-in-language-are-never-completely-new-when-the-words-used-300628.html#p2486766

Thanks.

VerbalBot · Answer

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