The first Philippine Revolution occurred at the end of the 1800s, but

1. It can be inferred from the passage that in the Philippines around 1890.

Difficulty Level: Hard

Explanation

(A) This answer is not supported by the passage. While the passage mentions the importance of La Solidaridad as a newspaper, it does not claim that it became the most important local newspaper in the Philippines around 1890.

(B) The passage does not mention Filipino exiles returning to the Philippines in the context of the 1890s. In fact, it discusses how Filipino exiles in Europe played a role in the Propaganda Movement.

(C) The passage mentions that José Rizal, a scientist by trade, aimed to refute Europeans' notions of Filipino inferiority. However, it does not state that he produced experiments showing Filipino superiority.

(D) The passage does imply that there was a desire for equal rights and representation among Filipinos in the Philippines, and this desire for equality is what drove the Propaganda Movement. It does not explicitly state that Spanish-born residents had more rights, but it is implied by the desire for equal rights and representation. Therefore, (D) is the correct answer because it aligns with the theme of the passage, which is about seeking equal rights for Filipinos in the Philippines.

(E) This answer choice is incorrect based on the information provided in the passage. The passage does not explicitly mention that a revolution broke out with the goal of separation from Spain in the context of the 1890s. While the passage discusses the Propaganda Movement and the desire for equal rights and representation among Filipinos, it does not specify that a revolution had already occurred at that time.

Answer: D

2. The author suggests that the sense of cultural pride engendered by Rizal’s books helped to goad Filipinos into revolution, but another possibility might be that

Difficulty Level: Hard

Explanation

The passage highlights that José Rizal, a prominent member of the Propaganda Movement, wrote two influential novels, "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo," which used heavy-handed symbolism to portray corruption and abuse in the Spanish-led government and clergy of the Philippines. While Rizal primarily aimed for equality and representation, his books, with their portrayal of Spanish abuses, led to a sense of Filipino self-respect that stimulated a true revolution.

Answer choice (C) correctly reflects this idea from the passage. Rizal's descriptions of Spanish abuses in his novels are shown to have provoked anger and bitterness among Filipinos, contributing to their desire for change and revolution.

The other answer choices are not supported by the information in the passage:

(A) The passage mentions Rizal's scientific refutation of European biases, but it does not suggest that this angered the Spanish.

(B) The passage does not mention that Rizal's call for equality and representation was scorned by Filipinos.

(D) The passage does not suggest that Rizal's books were aimed at convincing Spaniards or reassuring Filipinos; it emphasizes their role in stimulating Filipino self-respect and a sense of nationalism.

(E) The passage does not suggest that Rizal's novels were thinly concealed biographies of real Filipinos; it describes them as works of fiction with heavy-handed symbolism.

Answer: C