Poor writers often express mundane ideas with elaborate syntax

Question

Which one of the following completes the passage most logically?

Poor writers often express mundane ideas with elaborate syntax and esoteric vocabulary. Inattentive readers may be impressed but may well misunderstand the writing, while alert readers will easily see through the pretentiousness. Thus, a good principle for writers is: _______.

A. the simpler the style, the better the writing
B. inattentive readers are not worth writing for
C. only the most talented writers can successfully adopt a complex style
D. a writing style should not be more complex than the ideas expressed
E. alert readers are the only readers who are sensitive to writing style

mbain21 · Answer

Question Type - Must be true

What must be true?
The author here is trying to say that elaborate prose and esoteric words are not the signs of good writer.

Now all the options except A and D are ruled out.

The reason A is incorrect is because the author does tell that complex writings are bad but he does not say that simple writings are good.

So we rule out A and choose option D.

Posted from my mobile device

anaDarmas · Answer

Since options B, C and E are not supported by the passage, the real choice is between A and D.

Let's evaluate A. Reading the prompt again we know that the question stem is talking about a mismatch in the complexity levels of the subject (mundane ideas) and the style of writing (esoteric vocab). It does not talk about simple writing in general.

D seems closer. The first sentence tells us what poor writing is all about and the second sentence are negatives of a writing style more complex than ideas. Hence, D is the best choice.

mSKR · Answer

Inattentive readers: impressed but not understand the meaning
Alert readers: understand the pretentiousness means they understood in real sense

A. the simpler the style, the better the writing
Nothing is mentioned in argument that implies comparison of different style. It maybe that with simpler style writing may or may not be better. It depdnds on the skill of a writers. Advanced writers can still write better with complex style.-reject

B. inattentive readers are not worth writing for
Out of scope: Argument only talks about writers but not specific about how the readers should be and the writing is worth for what type of readers

C. only the most talented writers can successfully adopt a complex style
Nothing is mentioned about talented writers ( we can’t comment on it)

D. a writing style should not be more complex than the ideas expressed
inattentive readers misunderstand the idea. It implies idea is important. Style is not important. 
Alert readers: understand but see the style is awkward. It implies style is not important.
Combining above, style is not important than ideas expressed.
Hence D stands out to be our correct answer.

E. alert readers are the only readers who are sensitive to writing style
There maybe other type of readrs who are sensitive to writing style. We don’t know categories of readers.

tinbq · Answer

Hi experts, 
Please help to explain why A is wrong?

svasan05 · Answer

A. the simpler the style, the better the writing  The passage only talks about "mundane" ideas being expressed using complex vocabulary as being pretentious. It does not state that writing style should always be simple - only when the ideas are mundane is complex writing not required. Eliminate.

B. inattentive readers are not worth writing for  Nothing in the stimulus suggests whether someone is "worth writing for" or not. Eliminate.

C. only the most talented writers can successfully adopt a complex style  The passage does not talk about the writers'  success  in adopting a complex style but whether such a style is merited at all, and when. In fact, the first sentence refutes this option as  poor  writers also adopt a complex style. Eliminate.

D. a writing style should not be more complex than the ideas expressed  Correct answer. The passage states that simple ideas should not be expressed using a complex writing style.

E. alert readers are the only readers who are sensitive to writing style  This implies that inattentive readers are  insensitive , or, not affected by, writing style. The stimulus refutes this as inattentive readers do get impressed by a complex writing style. Eliminate.

Hope this helps.

mSKR · Answer

hello Sir,

In D option: How can a writing style be compared with ideas expressed? 
writing style can or can not be complex. 
ideas expressed can or can not be complex.
Ideas using writing style can or can not be complex also.

Do you think this can not be OG question?

svasan05 · Answer

Hi  imSKR

Here, it is not exactly the writing style itself that is being compared to the ideas expressed, but the  complexity  of the writing style is being compared to the  complexity  of the ideas expressed.

I agree the option is worded awkwardly to express this point of view, but this is the only interpretation that makes logical sense. The option compares a quality of the writing style to the same quality of the ideas expressed.

I am not sure about the source of this question. Maybe  Raxit85  can confirm.

Hope this helps.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Poor writers often express mundane ideas with elaborate syntax

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Poor writers often express mundane ideas with elaborate syntax

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