It is popularly believed that a poem has whatever meaning is assigned

Question

It is popularly believed that a poem has whatever meaning is assigned to it by the reader. But objective evaluation of poetry is possible only if this popular belief is false; for the aesthetic value of a poem cannot be discussed unless it is possible for at least two readers to agree on the correct interpretation of the poem.

Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?

(A) Only if they find the same meaning in a poem can two people each judge that it has aesthetic value.
(B) If two readers agree about the meaning of a given poem, that ensures that an objective evaluation of the poem can be made.
(C) Discussion of a poem is possible only if it is false that a poem has whatever meaning is assigned to it by the reader.
(D) A given poem can be objectively evaluated only if the poem’s aesthetic value can be discussed.
(E) Aesthetic evaluation of literature is best accomplished through discussion by more than two readers.

Kritisood · Answer

It is popularly believed that a poem has whatever meaning is assigned to it by the reader. But  objective evaluation  of poetry is possible only if this popular belief is false; for the  aesthetic value  of a poem cannot be discussed unless it is possible for at least two readers to agree on the correct interpretation of the poem.

From the argument, we can pick two terms that are imp (in bold). our argument should also include these. 
(D) A given poem can be  objectively evaluated  only if the poem’s  aesthetic value  can be discussed.
Negating this; a poem CANNOT be objectively evaluated even if the poem’s aesthetic value can be discussed.
clearly breaks the argument.

sparshgs97 · Answer

What is the difference between b and c. why is b wrong?

jayarora · Answer

sparshgs97 I can try to help

Conclusion: Objective evaluation is possible implies that Meaning must not be assigned by the reader
Premise: To discuss aesthetic value, at least two readers must agree on an interpretation.

There is a jump from Aesthetic value to Objective evaluation so the correct answer choice must link this. Hence D is correct. (Aesthetic value is necessary for an objective evaluation)
 
Choice B says that Two readers agreeing about the meaning are SUFFICIENT to ensure Objective Evaluation. We cannot say this as the argument only says that AT LEAST two readers agreeing are a NECESSARY condition. Hence the argument need not assume B.

Choice C is incorrect because it talks about Discussion of the poem in it's entirety and this is not discussed in the prompt. Hence we do not need to assume this statement.

Hope that helps

gentvenus · Answer

D is correct. It links correctly to aesthetic value for an objective evaluation.

unraveled · Answer

It is popularly believed that a poem has whatever meaning is assigned to it by the reader. But objective evaluation of poetry is possible only if this popular belief is false; for the aesthetic value of a poem cannot be discussed unless it is possible for at least two readers to agree on the correct interpretation of the poem.

Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?

(A) Only if they find the same meaning in a poem can two people each  judge that it has aesthetic value . - WRONG. Not about whether poem has aesthetic value. 
(B) If two readers agree about the meaning of a given poem, that  ensures that an objective evaluation  of the poem can be made. - WRONG. Not about what degree of agree between people leads to objective evaluation. Takes the non core aspect of the passage and tries to make it core. 
(C) Discussion of a poem is possible  only if it is false  that a poem has whatever meaning is assigned to it by the reader. - WRONG. Again whether it is false or not depending upon meaning assigned to the poem is not core of the argument.
(D) A given poem can be objectively evaluated only if the poem’s aesthetic value can be discussed. - CORRECT. The independent sentence after semicolon in the last sentence is the reasoning given by the author. Conclusion is first independent sentence. How two are related is what this option helps us with to understand. If aesthetic value can't be discussed, one can't reach an objective evaluation of the poem, eventually leading to popular belief being wrong. 
(E) Aesthetic evaluation of literature is  best accomplished  through discussion by more than two readers. - WRONG. Irrelevant. How evaluation is accomplished is not the core of the argument.

Answer D.

VerbalBot · Answer

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It is popularly believed that a poem has whatever meaning is assigned

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It is popularly believed that a poem has whatever meaning is assigned

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