The eighteenth-century literary work Encyclopédie, which coincided wit

Question

The eighteenth-century literary work  Encyclopédie , which coincided with nascent industrialization, distinguished itself from its predecessors with its mix of the theoretical with the practical. While twenty pages were devoted to metaphysical speculation about the human soul, nearly as many were devoted to the machine manufacture of stockings, a principal industrial product of the day. In fact, seventeen volumes of text were accompanied by eleven volumes of illustrations, at the insistence of chief editors Denis Diderot and  Jean d’Alembert , known as the “Encyclopedists.”

Prior to the mid-eighteenth century, scholars had not dared to publicly assert the intellectual freedom to reason about the mundane tools of daily life with the same seriousness as the human soul. Understandably, in 1759 Pope Clement XIII listed  Encyclopédie  in the Church’s Index of Prohibited Books, and the French government refused to license its printing. But due in part to the surreptitious assistance of an enlightened government official and in part to greedy booksellers, the work quickly became a best-seller throughout Europe.   
 1 
 1. The author mentions the machine manufacture of stockings most likely in order to

(A) show that for the Encyclopedists illustrations were just as important as text.
(B) underscore the Encyclopedists’ skepticism about prevailing metaphysical notions.
(C) demonstrate the Encyclopedists’ concern for the practical realm of human endeavor.
(D) point out the Encyclopedists’ great attention to detail.
(E) explain why it was necessary to include eleven volumes of illustrations in the work.

2 
 2. In the context of the passage, which of the following is the most reasonable explanation for the author’s characterization of government suppression of  Encyclopédie  as understandable?

(A) Pope Clement XIII had already called for the suppression of the work.
(B) The same government official who aided the Encyclopedists also refused to grant a license to print the work.
(C) The work’s entry about Christianity was briefer than its entry about certain other religions.
(D) In challenging the general status quo, the work might incite readers to question political authority.
(E) The government had previously banned similar works.

3 
 3. The author suggests that the commercial success of  Encyclopédie

(A) was the product of illegal printing operations.
(B) brought fame to the work’s chief editors.
(C) spawned more volumes than were originally planned.
(D) was largely due to a publicity campaign by one individual.
(E) owed to the work’s extensive use of illustrations. practice test

Sayantan1604 · Accepted Answer

1) C . This option clearly captures the notion of Encyclopedists by pointing out the attempt to give a similar if not equal importance to mundane practical tools of daily life as metaphysical speculation about the human soul

2) D. This option is the only option that explains the possible reason behind govt suppression. Other answers don't provide an explanation and give out of scope arguments. The involvement of govt and pope (2nd para) further strengthen this answer.

3) A. Options B,C,D,E are out of scope and have no mention in the RC. Use of illustrations didnt accentuate the sales of the book, rather it was the infamous nature of the book that allowed it gain popularity. The use of surreptitious (meaning: kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of) further strengthen this option.

Do give Kudos if my explanations are satisfactory

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

3. The author suggests that the commercial success of Encyclopédie

Explanation

Although the French government refused to license its printing, the work was nevertheless printed and sold extensively throughout Europe. The clear implication is that its printing (as well as distribution) was illegal.

The correct answer is (A).

mahakbansal8786 · Answer

why in question 2, ans is option d and not option 1

PSP92 · Answer

Because the passage only tells us that both the actions happened in the same year. It never told us that one was preceded by the other. Even though the Pope's call for suppression of the work appears earlier in the sentence, it doesn't mean it happened first.
If you chose option A, that means you are inferring too much. Try to infer as little as possible in RC questions.
I hope I could clear your doubt.

mahakbansal8786 · Answer

But it is not written that it may make readers question political authority

PSP92 · Answer

Option D says that it  MIGHT  incite readers... There is a certain level of uncertainty in the option. If you look at all the other options, they suggest with certainty that those actions occurred. However, the other options cannot be backed up using the passage.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2. In the context of the passage, which of the following is the most reasonable explanation for the author’s characterization of government suppression of Encyclopédie as understandable?

Explanation

Notice that in the preceding sentence the author uses the phrase  “dared to publicly assert the intellectual freedom . . . .”  This phrase suggests a challenge to political authority. Although the inference in  choice (D)  is not self-evident,  choice (D)  is nevertheless a more reasonable explanation than any of the other four choices for the author’s use of the word  “understandably.”

The correct answer is (D).

The eighteenth-century literary work Encyclopédie, which coincided wit

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

The eighteenth-century literary work Encyclopédie, which coincided wit

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