Should the soft spring breath of kindly appreciation warm the current

Question

Aristotle RC 99 - Passage 95     
   Should the soft spring breath of kindly appreciation warm the current chilly atmosphere, flowers of greater luxuriance and beauty would soon blossom forth, to beautify and enrich our literature. If these anticipations are not realized, it will not be because there is anything in our country that is uncongenial to poetry. If we are deprived of many of the advantages of older countries, our youthful country provides ample compensation not only in the ways in which nature unveils her most majestic forms to exalt and inspire, but also in our unshackled freedom of thought and broad spheres of action. Despite the unpropitious circumstances that exist, some true poetry has been written in our country, and represents an earnest of better things for the future and basis to hope that it will not always be winter with our native poetry.

Whenever things are discovered that are new, in the records of creation, in the relations of phenomenon, in the mind‘s operations, or in forms of thought and imagery, some record in the finer forms of literature will always be demanded. There is probably no country in the world, making equal pretensions to natural intelligence and progress in education, where the claims of native literature are so little felt, and where every effort in poetry has been met with so much coldness and indifference, as in ours.

The common method of accounting for this, by the fact almost everyone is engaged in the pursuit of the necessities of life, and that few possess the wealth and leisure necessary to enable devotion of time or thought to the study of poetry and kindred subjects, is by no means satisfactory. This state of things is doubtless unfavourable to the growth of poetry; but there are other causes less palpable, which exert a more subtle but still powerful antagonism. Nothing so seriously militates against the growth of our native poetry as the false conceptions that prevail respecting the nature of poetry.

Stemming either from a natural incapacity for appreciating the truths which find their highest embodiment in poetry or from familiarity only with more widely available, but lower forms, such notions conceive of poetry as fanciful, contrived, contrary to reason, or lacking the justification of any claim to practical utility. These attitudes, which admittedly may have some origin in the imperfection that even the most partial must confess to finding in our native poetry, nevertheless also can have the effect of discouraging native writers of undoubted genius from the sustained application to their
craft that is essential to artistic excellence.

Poetry, like Truth, will unveil her beauty anddispense her honours only to those who love her with a deep and reverential affection. There are many who are not gifted with the power of giving expression to the deeper sensibilities who nevertheless experience them throbbing in their hearts. To them poetry appeals. But where this tongue-less poetry of the heart has no existence, or exists in a very feeble degree, the conditions for appreciating poetic excellence are wanting. Let no one, therefore, speak of disregard for poetry as if it indicated superiority.

Rather, it is an imperfection to be endured as a misfortune. Despite prevailing misconceptions, there always remain at least a few whoappreciate fine literature. Why do these not provide sufficient nourishment for our native artists? Here, we must acknowledge the difficulty that so many of us, as emigrants from the Old Country, cling to memories of the lands we have left, and that this throws a charm around literary efforts originating in our former home, and it is indisputable that the productions of our young country suffer by comparison.   1 
 C 
 1. In the passage, the author makes various inferences regarding the country being written of. Which of the following inferences about the country is LEAST supported by evidence from the passage?

A. It was recently settled by immigrants.
B. It possesses unspoiled beauty.
C. It lacks a system of higher education.
D. It is characterized by a relatively low standard of living.
E. Most of the people are from low income groups

2 
 C 
 2. The passage asserts that which of the following are reasons for the indifference toward native poetry that the author finds in his country?

I.  There has been insufficient edification of most of the population.
 II.  The highest achievements of native poets do not rise to the level achieved by poets of the immigrants‘ homeland.
 III.  Nostalgic feelings orient readers toward the literature of their former home.

A. I and II only
B. II and III only
C. I and III only
D. I, II, and III
E. None of the above

3 
 A 
 3. Which of the following statements, made by poets about the creative process, is closest to the opinions expressed in the passage about what constitutes true‖ poetry?

A. Like a piece of ice on a hot stove the poem must ride on its own melting. A poem may be worked over once it is in being, but may not be worried into being.
B. My method is simple: not to bother about poetry. It must come of its own accord. Merely whispering its name drives it away.
C. If there‘s room for poets in this world . . . their sole work is to represent the age, their own age, not Charlemagne‘s.
D. The only way of expressing emotion in the form of art is by finding an objective correlative‖; in other words, a set of objects, a situation, a chain of events which shall be the formula of that particular emotion;such that when the external facts, which must terminate in sensory experience, are given, the emotion is immediately evoked.
E. None of the above

New Project RC Butler 2019  -  Practice 2 RC Passages Everyday   
Passage # 346, Date : 22-Sep-2019
 This post is a part of New Project RC Butler 2019 .  Click here for Details

Gmatsaiyan · Answer

Topic and Scope - The state of poetry in the author‘s country. 
 Mapping the Passage 
¶1 says that some native ―true poetry‖ has been written and that greater attention to
poetry will produce benefits.
¶s2 and 3 describe the country‘s indifference to poetry, an explanation, and the
author‘s rebuttal to the explanation.
¶4 describes the false conceptions that discourage native poets from writing quality
poetry.
¶5 argues that poetry should be more appreciated.
¶6 argues that the country‘s immigrant population causes ―old word‖ poetry to be
valued over native poetry.

Gmatsaiyan · Answer

Answers and Explanations

1)  An inference question in a disguised ―All...EXCEPT‖ format. Either eliminate three
choices that must follow from the passage or look for something that doesn‘t
necessarily or cannot follow. (C) contradicts the author‘s suggestion that the
country being written about is highly educated, ―making equal pretensions to
natural intelligence and progress in education.‖
(A): Opposite. This is a valid inference based on the author‘s point in ¶6 that very
many in the country have emigrated from other countries.
(B): Opposite. The author describes in ¶1 a ―youthful country...in which nature
unveils her most majestic forms to exalt and inspire.‖
(C): The correct answer
(D): Opposite. The author argues in ¶3 that ―few possess the wealth and leisure
necessary to enable devotion of time or thought to the study of poetry...‖
which implies a relatively low standard of living.
(E): Opposite. This can be inferred from the passage.

Strategy Point:
Note how much the passage tells you, and how much it doesn't. Although the
author could be describing the U.S., he or she never states such. Therefore don't
fill in the blanks with your own perceptions of the U.S.

2)  A detail question: Review your map to get a feel for the reasons the author gives
for the country‘s indifference to poetry. RN I is difficult to decipher in that it
requires knowledge of what ―edification‖ means. If you don‘t know, guess or move
on to the next Roman Numeral! ―Edification‖ means instruction or enlightenment,
and the author does in fact argue that the country‘s population is unenlightened, as
described at the end of ¶2 and the beginning of ¶3. RN II may be tempting from aquick review of ¶6, but distorts the author‘s argument. The author argues that in
spite of the new country‘s quality poetry, immigrants read old world poetry because
of nostalgia. The issue isn‘t quality, but homesickness. There‘s no need to evaluate
RN III at this point unless you skipped RN I. RN III is correct for the same reasons
that RN II is wrong: immigrants are reading their homeland‘s poetry because of
nostalgia.
(A): Opposite. See above.
(B): Opposite. See above.
(C): The correct answer
(D): Opposite. See above.
(E): Opposite. See above.

3)  An application question. Predict by reviewing what the author considers true poetry
to be. The author argues in ¶4 that it‘s not ―fanciful or contrived,‖ but that it
requires ―sustained application to...craft that is essential for artistic excellence.‖
Look for an answer choice that fits with this idea of poetry. (A) most closely fits,
describing poetry that can be edited and made better, but that can‘t be artificially
contrived from the start.
(A): The correct answer
(B): Opposite. Though the author believes that poetry must be uncontrived, it‘s
also made clear that good poetry requires a lot of work to perfect. This
answer choice suggests the opposite.
(C): Out of Scope. The author discusses poetry that is tied to a particular country,
but says nothing about poetry tied to a particular time.
(D): Opposite. This description of poetry would likely be something the author
would label as contrived, and therefore more in keeping with misconceptions
of poetry than with what ―true‖ poetry is.
(E): Incorrect, as described in A.

Pratheek95 · Answer

Could you give me some advice on how to tackle passages of these types...Unable to map most of it.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Read the passage slowly and very carefully.
 
 Read paragraph-wise and make summary of each para individually and get conclusion of all paragraphs.
 
 Build relationships of each paragraphs with one another.
 
 Conclude the whole paragraph at the end.

mimishyu · Answer

quite an abstract passage to dissolve, I try my best to write down the summary to each paragraph

1.
Should the soft spring breath of kindly appreciation warm the current chilly atmosphere, flowers of greater luxuriance and beauty would soon blossom forth, to beautify and enrich our literature. If these anticipations are not realized, it will not be because there is anything in our country that is uncongenial to poetry. If we are deprived of many of the advantages of older countries, our youthful country provides ample compensation not only in the ways in which nature unveils her most majestic forms to exalt and inspire, but also in our unshackled freedom of thought and broad spheres of action. Despite the unpropitious circumstances that exist, some true poetry has been written in our country, and represents an earnest of better things for the future and basis to hope that it will not always be winter with our native poetry.

recommend that young country’s native poetry should be appreciated more despite the fact that circumstances are often unfavorable to them

2.
Whenever things are discovered that are new, in the records of creation, in the relations of phenomenon, in the mind‘s operations, or in forms of thought and imagery, some record in the finer forms of literature will always be demanded. There is probably no country in the world, making equal pretensions to natural intelligence and progress in education, where the claims of native literature are so little felt, and where every effort in poetry has been met with so much coldness and indifference, as in ours.

state the fact that the more refined form of poetry is needed once it is being created, however the country the author belong to is too indifference in its effort to put these forms to our native poetry

3.
The common method of accounting for this, by the fact almost everyone is engaged in the pursuit of the necessities of life, and that few possess the wealth and leisure necessary to enable devotion of time or thought to the study of poetry and kindred subjects, is by no means satisfactory. This state of things is doubtless unfavourable to the growth of poetry; but there are other causes less palpable, which exert a more subtle but still powerful antagonism. Nothing so seriously militates against the growth of our native poetry as the false conceptions that prevail respecting the nature of poetry.

try to offer an explanation to the phenomenon, as why native poetry are often being bias and cold treated, in para2, then end by the author‘s rebuttal to this explanation, for its misconception, in that there still has more causes to be considered.

4.
Stemming either from a natural incapacity for appreciating the truths which find their highest embodiment in poetry or from familiarity only with more widely available, but lower forms, such notions conceive of poetry as fanciful, contrived, contrary to reason, or lacking the justification of any claim to practical utility. These attitudes, which admittedly may have some origin in the imperfection that even the most partial must confess to finding in our native poetry, nevertheless also can have the effect of discouraging native writers of undoubted genius from the sustained application to their craft that is essential to artistic excellence.

those attitudes which conceive poetry as fanciful and contrary to reason will bring the negative impact on the development of native poetry

5.
Poetry, like Truth, will unveil her beauty and dispense her honours only to those who love her with a deep and reverential affection. There are many who are not gifted with the power of giving expression to the deeper sensibilities who nevertheless experience them throbbing in their hearts. To them poetry appeals. But where this tongue-less poetry of the heart has no existence, or exists in a very feeble degree, the conditions for appreciating poetic excellence are wanting. Let no one, therefore, speak of disregard for poetry as if it indicated superiority.

poetry, for all its appeal, has its difficulty to face however should be more appreciated for its superiority

6.
Rather, it is an imperfection to be endured as a misfortune. Despite prevailing misconceptions, there always remain at least a few whoappreciate fine literature. Why do these not provide sufficient nourishment for our native artists? Here, we must acknowledge the difficulty that so many of us, as emigrants from the Old Country, cling to memories of the lands we have left, and that this throws a charm around literary efforts originating in our former home, and it is indisputable that the productions of our young country suffer by comparison.

the author, as the ending of the whole passage, try answering the cause to the unintuitive phenomenon in that intuitively thinking, despite misconceptions, poetry would always be refined, this is because the country‘s immigrant population causes “old world poetry” to be valued over “native –young –poetry”.

mimishyu · Answer

1. In the passage, the author makes various inferences regarding the country being written of. Which of the following inferences about the country is LEAST supported by evidence from the passage?

A. It was recently settled by immigrants.

para6-line4

B. It possesses unspoiled beauty.

para1 & 5 indeed mention something about beauty

C. It lacks a system of higher education.

para2-line3 only mention progress in education are so little being felt

D. It is characterized by a relatively low standard of living.

low standard of living, this was discussed in para3
as in…by the fact almost everyone is engaged in the pursuit of the necessities of life, and that few possess the wealth and leisure necessary to enable devotion of time or thought to the study of poetry and kindred subjects,

E. Most of the people are from low income groups.

same as (D), para3 have talked about this

2. The passage asserts that which of the following are reasons for the indifference toward native poetry that the author finds in his country?

indifference toward native poetry: para2
the probable cause to this phenomenon is, again, responded in the last para

Rather, it is an imperfection to be endured as a misfortune. Despite prevailing misconceptions, there always remain at least a few whoappreciate fine literature. Why do these not provide sufficient nourishment for our native artists? Here, we must acknowledge the difficulty that so many of us, as emigrants from the Old Country, cling to memories of the lands we have left, and that this throws a charm around literary efforts originating in our former home, and it is indisputable that the productions of our young country suffer by comparison.

I. There has been insufficient edification of most of the population.

see sentence in para2
There is probably no country in the world, making equal pretensions to natural intelligence and progress in education, where the claims of native literature are so little felt, and where every effort in poetry has been met with so much coldness and indifference, as in ours.

II. The highest achievements of native poets do not rise to the level achieved by poets of the immigrants‘ homeland.

The last para explain the possible reason is that its nostalgia, not level of achievement, cause the indifference toward native poetry

III. Nostalgic feelings orient readers toward the literature of their former home.

last para clearly indicate this

A. I and II only
B. II and III only
C. I and III only....correct
D. I, II, and III
E. None of the above

3. Which of the following statements, made by poets about the creative process, is closest to the opinions expressed in the passage about what constitutes true poetry?

Whenever things are discovered that are new, in the records of creation, in the relations of phenomenon, in the mind‘s operations, or in forms of thought and imagery, some record in the finer forms of literature will always be demanded.

A. Like a piece of ice on a hot stove the poem must ride on its own melting. A poem may be worked over once it is in being(readiness), but may not be worried into being(practical dimension); .

....this one is the correct choice
its hard to trace which part of passage correspond to this choice
as Gmatsaiyan points out, the first sentence of para4 describe the method, while cannot generate the encouraging impact to the native writer, just the creative process to be
Stemming either from a natural incapacity for appreciating the truths which find their highest embodiment in poetry or from familiarity only with more widely available, but lower forms, such notions conceive of poetry as fanciful, contrived, contrary to reason, or lacking the justification of any claim to practical utility.

B. My method is simple: not to bother about poetry. It must come of its own accord. Merely whispering its name drives it away.

the main idea of the passage just convey that people should appreciated more to the poetry and by the same time offer possible explanation to why it is hard to do so, not about the independent depiction of poetry

C. If there‘s room for poets in this world . . . their sole work is to represent the age, their own age, not Charlemagne‘s.

the passage doesn’t concern the age to the poetry

D. The only way of expressing emotion in the form of art is by finding an objective correlative; in other words, a set of objects, a situation, a chain of events which shall be the formula of that particular emotion; such that when the external facts, which must terminate in sensory experience, are given, the emotion is immediately evoked.

“emotion”, this topic never discussed in the passage

E. None of the above

mSKR · Answer

P1: Author hopes that appreciation to poetry is necessary.
P2: no country would not feel the need of poetry . there would be alwys demand of finer form of literature.
P3: reasons for not accounting the appreciation of poetry is not because reasons mentioned above but because some misconceptions.
P4: notions ( must be something logical) can have effect of discouraging native writes 
P5: poetic excellence are wanting and it is no necessary to have superiority.
P6: reason why some don’t appreciate .it is because of migrants that cling to their old countries memories.

A. It was recently settled by immigrants. – yes , could be
B. It possesses unspoiled beauty. –given supported
it will not be because there is anything in our country that is uncongenial to poetry-reject
 C. It lacks a system of higher education. – it doesn’t lack a system of higher education
here is probably no country in the world, making equal pretensions to natural intelligence and progress in education, 
D. It is characterized by a relatively low standard of living.- could be , yes
that few possess leisure necessary -reject
E. Most of the people are from low income groups- supported
- The common method of accounting for this, by the fact almost everyone is engaged in the pursuit of the necessities of life, and that few possess the wealth and leisure necessary to enable devotion of time or thought to the study of poetry and kindred subjects, is by no means satisfactory.- reject

I. There has been insufficient edification of most of the population.
 cling to memories of the lands we have left,  
II. The highest achievements of native poets do not rise to the level achieved by poets of the immigrants‘ homeland.
not mentioned 
 III. Nostalgic feelings orient readers toward the literature of their former home.

A. I and II only
B. II and III only
C. I and III only
D. I, II, and III
E. None of the above
hence C

>> poetry comes naturally in relation of any phenomenon, mind operation or in form of thought etc.. ,It means no need to worry about brining it inot existence. The worry is after it comes to existence and need appreciation .

A. Like a piece of ice on a hot stove the poem must ride on its own melting. A poem may be worked over once it is in being, but may not be worried into being.
yes

B. My method is simple: not to bother about poetry. It must come of its own accord. Merely whispering its name drives it away. 
( it can come naturally or can experience in heart. People should appreciate as it is necessary)
C. If there‘s room for poets in this world . . . their sole work is to represent the age, their own age, not Charlemagne‘s.
Nothing is mentioned in passage about it

D. The only way of expressing emotion in the form of art is by finding an objective correlative‖; in other words, a set of objects, a situation, a chain of events which shall be the formula of that particular emotion; such that when the external facts, which must terminate in sensory experience, are given, the emotion is immediately evoked.
( conditional- reject

E. None of the above

adityashikhar4 · Answer

Please explain Q2 and Q3. The OEs didn't help much as I could not make references to the para based on the reasoning mentioned in them.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

2. The passage asserts that which of the following are reasons for the indifference toward native poetry that the author finds in his country?

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

I. There has been insufficient edification of most of the population.  
The passage does not explicitly mention insufficient edification as a reason for the indifference toward native poetry. It does discuss the lack of time and leisure due to people being engaged in the pursuit of necessities of life, but it does not specifically talk about insufficient edification. Therefore, option I is not supported by the passage.

II. The highest achievements of native poets do not rise to the level achieved by poets of the immigrants‘ homeland. 
The passage suggests that some false conceptions about poetry exist, which may stem from familiarity with lower forms of poetry. It does mention that prevailing attitudes conceive poetry as fanciful, contrary to reason, or lacking practical utility. However, it does not explicitly compare the achievements of native poets to those of poets from the immigrants' homeland. Therefore, option II is not explicitly supported by the passage.

III. Nostalgic feelings orient readers toward the literature of their former home.  
The passage indeed acknowledges that many emigrants from the Old Country (immigrants) cling to memories of the lands they have left, which throws a charm around literary efforts originating in their former home. This indicates that nostalgic feelings may orient readers toward the literature of their former home. Therefore, option III is supported by the passage.

Based on the analysis:

Option I is not supported.
Option II is not explicitly supported.
Option III is supported.

The correct answer is C. I and III only.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

3. Which of the following statements, made by poets about the creative process, is closest to the opinions expressed in the passage about what constitutes true poetry?

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

A. Like a piece of ice on a hot stove, the poem must ride on its own melting. A poem may be worked over once it is in being, but may not be worried into being.

Option A  emphasizes the idea that a poem should naturally evolve and flow. It uses the metaphor of a piece of ice melting on a hot stove to convey the notion that a poem should come into existence effortlessly, like ice melting without any external force. This aligns with the opinions expressed in the passage about what constitutes true poetry. The passage discusses the need for poetry to blossom forth naturally, like flowers in the spring, and that the growth of native poetry can be hindered by false conceptions and contrived notions about its nature. Option A echoes this sentiment by suggesting that a poem should not be "worried into being," which corresponds to the passage's emphasis on poetry not being contrived or fanciful.

Other options and why they are incorrect:

B. My method is simple: not to bother about poetry. It must come of its own accord. Merely whispering its name drives it away.

Option B also touches on the idea of poetry coming naturally, without being bothered or forced. However, it does not directly align with the passage's emphasis on false conceptions about poetry's nature and the conditions for appreciating poetic excellence. The passage discusses how false conceptions conceive of poetry as fanciful, contrary to reason, or lacking practical utility, which is not explicitly addressed in option B.

C. If there‘s room for poets in this world . . . their sole work is to represent the age, their own age, not Charlemagne‘s.

Option C  focuses on the role of poets in representing their own age, which is not directly related to the opinions expressed in the passage about what constitutes true poetry and the prevailing misconceptions regarding poetry's nature. The passage primarily discusses the false conceptions about poetry and the conditions for appreciating poetic excellence, not the role of poets in representing their age.

D. The only way of expressing emotion in the form of art is by finding an objective correlative‖; in other words, a set of objects, a situation, a chain of events which shall be the formula of that particular emotion; such that when the external facts, which must terminate in sensory experience, are given, the emotion is immediately evoked.

Option D  focuses on expressing emotion in art through an  "objective correlative,"  which is not directly related to the opinions expressed in the passage about what constitutes true poetry and the prevailing misconceptions regarding poetry's nature. The passage primarily discusses the false conceptions about poetry, the conditions for appreciating poetic excellence, and the reasons for indifference toward native poetry, not specific methods of expressing emotion in art.

In conclusion,  option (A)  is correct because it aligns with the passage's emphasis on poetry coming forth naturally, without being contrived or forced, similar to flowers blossoming with the soft spring breath. The other options are incorrect because they either do not directly address the themes presented in the passage or focus on different aspects of poetry and the creative process that are not explicitly discussed in the passage.

Answer: A

VerbalBot · Answer

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Should the soft spring breath of kindly appreciation warm the current

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Should the soft spring breath of kindly appreciation warm the current

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