The attribution of early-nineteenth-century English fiction is notorio

Question

The attribution of early-nineteenth-century English fiction is notoriously problematic. Fewer than half of new novels published in Britain between 1800 and 1829 had the author’s true name printed on the title page. Most of these titles have subsequently been attributed, either through the author’s own acknowledgment of a previously anonymous or pseudonymous work, or through bibliographical research. One important tool available to researchers is the list of earlier works “by the author” often found on title pages. But such lists are as likely to create new confusion as they are to solve old problems. Title pages were generally prepared last in the publication process, often without full authorial assent, and in the last-minute rush to press, mistakes were frequently made.  
 For the following question, consider each of the choices separately and select all that apply. 
 1 
 1. The passage suggests that which of the following factors contributes to the “notoriously problematic” (line 1) nature of authorial attribution in earlynineteenth-century English fiction?

A, The unwillingness of any writers to acknowledge their authorship of works that were originally published anonymously or pseudonymously
B, The possibility that the title page of a work may attribute works written by other authors to the author of that work
C. The possibility that the author’s name printed on a title page is fictitious

For the following question, consider each of the choices separately and select all that apply. 
 2 
 2. The passage suggests that which of the following is frequently true of the title pages of early-nineteenth-century English novels?

A. The title page was prepared for printing in a hurried manner.
B. Material on the title page was included without the author’s knowledge or approval.
C. Information on the title page was deliberately falsified to make the novel more marketable.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

1. The passage suggests that which of the following factors contributes to the “notoriously problematic” (line 1) nature of authorial attribution in earlynineteenth-century English fiction?

Explanation

Choice A  is incorrect: the passage mentions that the attribution of early-nineteenth-century fiction was sometimes achieved when the author came forward to acknowledge a previously anonymous work, so Choice A can be eliminated.

Choice B  is correct: the passage mentions that  “one important tool available to researchers is the list of earlier works ‘by the author’ often found on title pages,”  but goes on to say that these title pages were prepared hastily and  “frequently”  contained mistakes. Since the mistake most likely to  “create new confusion”  would be the inclusion of works not written by the author, Choice B may be inferred.

Choice C  is correct: the passage states,  “Fewer than half of the new novels published in Britain ... had the author’s true name printed on the title page.”  suggests that pseudonyms—fictitious names—were commonly used. Hence,  Choice C  may be inferred.

Choices B and C are correct.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2. The passage suggests that which of the following is frequently true of the title pages of early-nineteenth-century English novels?

Explanation

Choice A  is correct: the passage mentions that title pages were prepared last and that mistakes often occurred  “in the last-minute rush to press” . This indicates that title pages were often prepared for printing in a hurried manner; hence, Choice A can be inferred.

Choice B  is correct: the passage includes the detail that title pages were often prepared for printing  “without full authorial assent” ; hence,  Choice B  can be inferred.

Choices A and B are correct.

The attribution of early-nineteenth-century English fiction is notorio

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