aragonn wrote:
The Romans—for centuries the masters of war and politics across Europe, Northern Africa, and Asia Minor—have often been criticized for producing few original thinkers outside the realm of politics. This criticism, while in many ways true, is not without its problems. It was, after all, the conquest of Greece that provided Rome with its greatest influx of educated subjects. Admittedly, two of the great disasters in intellectual history—the murder of Archimedes and the burning of Alexandria’s library—both occurred under Rome’s watch. Nevertheless, a city that was able to conquer so much of the known world could not have been devoid of the creativity that characterizes so many other ancient empires.
Engineering is one endeavor in which the Romans showed themselves capable. Their aqueducts carried water hundreds of miles along the tops of vast arcades. Roman roads, built for the rapid deployment of troops, crisscross Europe and still form the basis of numerous modern highways that provide quick access between many major European and African cities. Indeed, a large number of these cities owe their prominence to Rome’s economic and political influence.
Many of those major cities lie far beyond Rome’s original province, and Latin-derived languages are spoken in most Southern European nations. Again a result of military influence, the popularity of Latin and its offspring is difficult to underestimate. During the centuries of ignorance and violence that followed Rome’s decline, the Latin language was the glue that held together the identity of an entire continent. While seldom spoken today, it is still studied widely, if only so that such masters of rhetoric as Cicero can be read in the original.
It is Cicero and his like who are perhaps the most overlooked legacy of Rome. While far from being a democracy, Rome did leave behind useful political tools that serve the American republic today. “Republic” itself is Latin for “the people’s business,” a notion cherished in democracies worldwide. Senators owe their name to Rome’s class of elders; Representatives owe theirs to the Tribunes who seized popular prerogatives from the Senatorial class. The veto was a Roman notion adopted by the historically aware framers of the Constitution, who often assumed pen names from the lexicon of Latin life. These accomplishments, as monumental as any highway or coliseum, remain prominent features of the Western landscape.
1. The author describes "two of the great disasters in intellectual history" in order to
A. establish a point directly related to the main argument
B. show that certain historical claims are inaccurate
C. demonstrate the importance of certain historical data
D. disprove the claims made by others with a different view
E. concede the partial accuracy of an opposing view
2. According to the passage, ancient Roman roads
A. connected places of military importance in ancient Europe
B. are engineering marvels unequaled in modern times
C. are similar in some respects to modern highways
D. were products of democratic political institutions
E. caused the development of modern European cities
3. According to the passage, which of the following accurately describes the Latin language?
I. It spread in part due to Rome's military power
II. It is reflected in some modern political concepts.
III. It is spoken today in some parts of Europe.
A. I only
B. II only
C. I and II only
D. I and III only
E. II and III only
4. It can be inferred from the passage that the framers of the Constitution
A. were familiar with certain aspects of Roman government
B. were similar to the Roman elders
C. embraced the veto as the hallmark of Roman democracy
D. overlooked Cicero's contributions to the theory of democracy
E. formed a government based on worldwide democracy
1)
This criticism, while in many ways true, is not without its problems. It was, after all, the conquest of Greece that provided Rome with its greatest influx of educated subjects. Admittedly, two of the great disasters in intellectual history—the murder of Archimedes and the burning of Alexandria’s library—both occurred under Rome’s watch. Nevertheless
The above statement establishes that there is criticism for not producing enough original thinkers and this criticism is not entirely true since the conquest of Greece provided Rome with educated subjects who could become original thinkers. Then, an emphasis is on "Admittedly", the author admits that the certain portion of the criticism is true while citing examples. With an emphasis on "Nevertheless", the author is trying to outweigh the cited examples with more analysis done on his part. And option E states exactly that.
2) B, C & E are not stated in the second bold text above or anywhere else in the passage. Between A and D, A is the better option because the roads developed were the basis of modern highways, not similar to it. A is clearly stated in the bold text. Option A is correct.
3) The first statement is clearly implied in the bold text of the third paragraph. However, the third statement is misleading because the paragraph states that Latin
Derived Languages are spoken not Latin itself. The second statement is also clear from the bold text in the fourth paragraph. Option D is correct.
4) As per paragraph, Senators are similar to Roman elders, not framers of the constitution. Eliminate B. For option C, no such implication is given. Eliminate C. Cicero and his work are overlooked
legacy of Rome, not overlooked by the framers of the constitution. Eliminate D. Option E is also not implicit from the passage. Eliminate D. Option A seems perfect fit supported by the statement,
"The veto was a Roman notion adopted by the historically aware framers of the Constitution, who often assumed pen names from the lexicon of Latin life. Emphasis on historically aware.
Share some Kudos if you found my explanation useful.
close
06 Dec 2018, 05:51
45%
(medium)
41%
(03:11) wrong 
