Politicians are primarily concerned with their own survival; artists a

Question

Politicians are primarily concerned with their own survival; artists are concerned with revealing truth. Of course, the difference in their reactions is readily predictable. For example, while the governmental leaders wrote laws to ensure the triumph of industrialization in Western Europe, artists painted, wrote about, and composed music in response to the horrible conditions created by the Industrial Revolution. Only later did political leaders come to see what the artists had immediately perceived, and then only through a glass darkly. Experience teaches us that ________

Which of the following represents the most logical continuation of the passage?

(A) artistic vision perceives in advance of political practice

(B) artists are utopian by nature while governmental leaders are practical

(C) throughout history political leaders have not been very responsive to the needs of their people

(D) the world would be a much better place to live if only artists would become kings

(E) history is the best judge of the progress of civilization

Source:  Master GMAT

LIBERTYRodP · Answer

TYPE: COMPLETE THE PASSAGE

Pre-thinking: Author mentions that the evidence (premises) from experiences given in the passage TEACH us something. The example given was that artists in the industrial years were always concerned with the poor conditions of the era, while the politicians initially were trying to make industry more prevalent, but LATER CHANGED their view to one similar to the artists'.

(A) artistic vision perceives in advance of political practice       -------- CORRECT. When the politicians were all for industrialization, the artists were concerned with the poor conditions of the era. After several years the politicians started to have the same concerns. This shows that the artists can see this realities years BEFORE the politicians.

(B) artists are utopian by nature while governmental leaders are practical  ------ The example given in the argument does not indicate that the politicians are practical. Rather, it implies that they are slow in catching with social reality.

(C) throughout history political leaders have not been very responsive to the needs of their people  ------- The example is about the politicians' change of point of view.

(D) the world would be a much better place to live if only artists would become kings - ------- totally out of scope.

(E) history is the best judge of the progress of civilization  -------- the superlative "best", by itself, makes this choice incorrect.

Abhajadon · Answer

can someone please explain the reasoning behind "E" , why is use of superlative incorrect here?

HowdyPartner · Answer

There is an example shown right before the blank and bold. The relationship of the example likely will be key here.

The example showed that art perceived harsh conditions before politicians. We can knock out B, D and E. A and C are left.

While C seems logical, it is assuming too much. Passage never stated "needs of people" -- only stated "harsh conditions". As a result, A is the answer because it does not over-assume and it matches the relationship shown in example highlighted in passage.

Politicians are primarily concerned with their own survival; artists a

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Politicians are primarily concerned with their own survival; artists a

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