patto wrote:
Would you please explain why B is the correct answer instead of C in question 3(primary purpose)?
Let's break down the passage to understand its primary purpose:
- First, the author poses a question: "Is it possible to decrease inflation without causing a recession and... [an] increase in unemployment?
- Then, the author gives the orthodox answer ("no,"), two theories behind this answer, and an example to support this assertion (US and Europe in the 1980's).
- The author presents a policy that seeks to disprove the "orthodox answer": "direct controls on wages and prices, without tight monetary and fiscal policies, can succeed in decreasing inflation"
- Finally, the author presents several negative consequences of enacting the policy above.
Now, take a look at (C):
Quote:
(C) support a controversial policy
You could argue that the "controversial policy" referenced here is using "direct controls on wages and prices" to decrease inflation without causing high unemployment (seen above in bullet point #3). The author does introduce this policy, but does not
support it -- the last sentence of the passage lists the negative consequences of enacting such a policy in fairly strong terms, and the author does not defend the policy at all. Because of this, (C) cannot be the primary purpose of the passage.
Now look at (B):
Quote:
(B) examine a generally accepted position
Here, the "generally accepted position" is the "orthodox answer" to the author's question: no, it is not possible to decrease inflation without causing a recession and its concomitant increase in unemployment.
The author examines this position by explaining two theories behind it, presenting a policy that seeks to disprove it, and then listing the negative consequences of this policy. The overall purpose of the passage is to explore various aspects of the "orthodox answer" to the author's question, which is nicely captured in this answer choice. (B) is the correct answer to question #3.
I hope that helps!
_________________
close
