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05 Mar 2024, 09:00
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Question 1
E
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
65%
(hard)
Question Stats:
43% (02:40) correct
57%
(02:40) wrong
based on 445
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 2
C
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
65%
(hard)
Question Stats:
43% (01:04) correct 57%
(01:11) wrong
based on 444
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 3
D
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
95%
(hard)
Question Stats:
30% (01:24) correct 70%
(01:25) wrong
based on 448
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 4
A
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
15%
(low)
Question Stats:
78% (01:02) correct 22%
(01:04) wrong
based on 403
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Though the term “literature” seems as though it would be simple to define, only a few moments of pondering the question “what is literature?” is required before one realizes how complex it really is. Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq, a Muslim philosopher who lived during the eighth century, A.D., wrote that, “Literature is the garment which one puts on what he says or writes so that it may appear more attractive.” When viewed in this light, literature begins to resemble less a description of content itself than an artistic veil draped over content.
On the other hand, the term literature is cast in a harsher light when viewed as the twentieth century Russian thinker Roman Jakobson did; he declared that literature is “organized violence committed on ordinary speech.” Jakobson thus suggests that the unstructured, conversational words that define ordinary speech are transmogrified into a particular arrangement on the page and, in so doing, become literature.
Another facet to consider is the public’s perception of literature. While some may define cave paintings as literature, others would argue that they are merely graphic inscriptions that, though perhaps narrative, are not literary. Others may argue that banned books, such as Go Ask Alice, published in 1971 and excluded from many library shelves and schools, are not literature because the content cannot be universally appreciated. Because these questions remain unanswered and are largely subjective, in the final analysis, it may prove impossible to define the term “literature.”
On the other hand, the term literature is cast in a harsher light when viewed as the twentieth century Russian thinker Roman Jakobson did; he declared that literature is “organized violence committed on ordinary speech.” Jakobson thus suggests that the unstructured, conversational words that define ordinary speech are transmogrified into a particular arrangement on the page and, in so doing, become literature.
Another facet to consider is the public’s perception of literature. While some may define cave paintings as literature, others would argue that they are merely graphic inscriptions that, though perhaps narrative, are not literary. Others may argue that banned books, such as Go Ask Alice, published in 1971 and excluded from many library shelves and schools, are not literature because the content cannot be universally appreciated. Because these questions remain unanswered and are largely subjective, in the final analysis, it may prove impossible to define the term “literature.”
1. Which of the following best describes the main idea of the passage?
A. The question of “what is literature” has been answered differently by different cultures at different points in history.
B. Asking questions such as “what is literature” is an ultimately fruitless endeavor since there will never be consensus on the answer.
C. Literature is a little-understood concept to this day because few scholars have thought to attempt to define it.
D. Attempts to answer the question “what is literature” are doomed to failure because literature has no defining characteristics other than the label, literature, itself.
E. A seemingly well-understood concept is shown to have been subject to much disagreement in the past and is expected to continue to be the subject of disagreement.
A. The question of “what is literature” has been answered differently by different cultures at different points in history.
B. Asking questions such as “what is literature” is an ultimately fruitless endeavor since there will never be consensus on the answer.
C. Literature is a little-understood concept to this day because few scholars have thought to attempt to define it.
D. Attempts to answer the question “what is literature” are doomed to failure because literature has no defining characteristics other than the label, literature, itself.
E. A seemingly well-understood concept is shown to have been subject to much disagreement in the past and is expected to continue to be the subject of disagreement.
2. The author of the passage most likely mentions cave paintings in order to
A. prove that such merely graphic depictions have never been considered literature
B. provide an example of a type of artwork that has long been accepted as a form of literature
C. demonstrate that the definition of literature may require more than merely telling a story
D. emphasize that efforts to develop a definition of literature are destined for failure
E. underscore that content must be universally appreciated in order to be deemed literature
A. prove that such merely graphic depictions have never been considered literature
B. provide an example of a type of artwork that has long been accepted as a form of literature
C. demonstrate that the definition of literature may require more than merely telling a story
D. emphasize that efforts to develop a definition of literature are destined for failure
E. underscore that content must be universally appreciated in order to be deemed literature
3. Based on the passage, about which of the following would Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq and Roman Jakobson be most likely to disagree?
A. Literature is more concerned with aesthetic criteria than substance.
B. Without the label “literature” the ugliness of most writing would be apparent.
C. Literature is dangerous because of its inherently violent structures.
D. Literature may have innate characteristics by which it may be recognized.
E. Banned books are not literature because they are not universally appreciated.
A. Literature is more concerned with aesthetic criteria than substance.
B. Without the label “literature” the ugliness of most writing would be apparent.
C. Literature is dangerous because of its inherently violent structures.
D. Literature may have innate characteristics by which it may be recognized.
E. Banned books are not literature because they are not universally appreciated.
4 The author of the passage most likely mentions the book Go Ask Alice in order to
A. illustrate one reason why a piece of writing may not be considered literature
B. argue that banned books should not be considered literature because they are not universally appreciated
C. counter a point of view that some works not widely considered literature should be reevaluated
D. offer an alternative explanation for why some pieces of writing should be considered literature
E. present another piece of evidence supporting Jakobson’s theory of literature
A. illustrate one reason why a piece of writing may not be considered literature
B. argue that banned books should not be considered literature because they are not universally appreciated
C. counter a point of view that some works not widely considered literature should be reevaluated
D. offer an alternative explanation for why some pieces of writing should be considered literature
E. present another piece of evidence supporting Jakobson’s theory of literature
05 Mar 2024, 23:56
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Sajjad1994
1. Which of the following best describes the main idea of the passage?
The passage starts with how many believe literature would be simple to define. The passage then provides various examples in the second and third paragraph how different people have defined the word and the disagreement that prevails.
A. The question of “what is literature” has been answered differently by different cultures at different points in history.
No reference to culture has been made. Hence, we can eliminate this option.
B. Asking questions such as “what is literature” is an ultimately fruitless endeavor since there will never be consensus on the answer.
This is a tricky one. Note the the author concludes with "in the final analysis, it may prove impossible to define the term “literature.”, while the option presents a very definitive answere. Hence, elimiante B.
C. Literature is a little-understood concept to this day because few scholars have thought to attempt to define it.
This is not the central idea of the passage. Hence, we can eliminate C.
D. Attempts to answer the question “what is literature” are doomed to failure because literature has no defining characteristics other than the label, literature, itself.
The reasoning is similar to that of B. The option shows too extreme of a view (not that its wrong always) ; the details do not match to the ones presented in the passage. Eliminate D.
E. A seemingly well-understood concept is shown to have been subject to much disagreement in the past and is expected to continue to be the subject of disagreement.
This option encompasses the entire summary. Hence, this is better than the rest.
2. The author of the passage most likely mentions cave paintings in order to
Refer to the second line of the third paragraph "While some may define cave paintings as literature, others would argue that they are merely graphic inscriptions that, though perhaps narrative, are not literary."
A. prove that such merely graphic depictions have never been considered literature
An extreme option. The passage has a very subtle tone "though perhaps narrative, are not literary". Hence, we can eliminate A.
B. provide an example of a type of artwork that has long been accepted as a form of literature
Opposite to what has been presented in the passage. Hence, we can eliminate B.
C. demonstrate that the definition of literature may require more than merely telling a story
This option is inline with the sentence above.
D. emphasize that efforts to develop a definition of literature are destined for failure
This is not true. Hence, we can eliminate D.
E. underscore that content must be universally appreciated in order to be deemed literature
This information is presented later in the passage. Eliminate E.
3. Based on the passage, about which of the following would Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq and Roman Jakobson be most likely to disagree?
A. Literature is more concerned with aesthetic criteria than substance.
This seems correct. The two scholars have different opinion on what literature constitutes.
B. Without the label “literature” the ugliness of most writing would be apparent.
This information is not correct. Eliminate B.
C. Literature is dangerous because of its inherently violent structures.
This is only the belief of Roman Jakobson. Hence, we can eliminate C.
D. Literature may have innate characteristics by which it may be recognized.
No such reference has been made. Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq believes literature is all about the presentation while Roman Jakobson believes that its about the structure. Eliminate D.
E. Banned books are not literature because they are not universally appreciated.
This is incorrect. The reference to banned books is not present in the first two paragraphs. Eliminate E.
4 The author of the passage most likely mentions the book Go Ask Alice in order to
Refer to the third sentence in the last paragraph "Others may argue that banned books, such as Go Ask Alice, published in 1971 and excluded from many library shelves and schools, are not literature because the content cannot be universally appreciated"
A. illustrate one reason why a piece of writing may not be considered literature
This is correct. The reference to the book Go Ask Alice is in order to support how different people have different opinions on the term.
B. argue that banned books should not be considered literature because they are not universally appreciated
The author merely presents the opionion and doesn't argue. Hence this option is incorrect.
C. counter a point of view that some works not widely considered literature should be reevaluated
The author doesn't present his views. Hence, we doesn't counter a point of view. Eliminate C.
D. offer an alternative explanation for why some pieces of writing should be considered literature
No alternative explanation is provided in support of Go Ask Alice or any other book. This option is not correct.
E. present another piece of evidence supporting Jakobson’s theory of literature
The presented option is incorrect. Eliminate E.
Answers:
1. E
2. C
3. A
4. A
06 Mar 2024, 08:49
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The passage is fairly simple to read through and grasp the idea, so it is safe to say that this kind of passage won't be asked in the official exam 
at least based on the encounters I had with the RC passages in my tests.
Passage analysis: at least based on the encounters I had with the RC passages in my tests.Overall main idea: The passage discusses various POVs on a question to define literature, and finally concludes based on the POVs that a seemingly simple question may be impossible to answer.
Quote:
We will try to find a choice that fits in the mold set by our pre-thought main idea without any major altercations.
A. Okay seems logical, but this is more like a direct fact on which the main idea is based. Irrelevant. INCORRECT
B. The author doesn't say there will "never" be consensus on the idea, he says in the last line that the question "may" be impossible to answer. Distorts the fact. INCORRECT
C. Not discussed. INCORRECT
D. Same reason as B. The author is saying attempts are "attempts are doomed to failure", he just tells his point based on several POVs.
E. Correct, on point, and precise.
Quote:
A. this is not inferrable, the author states that according to some people, graphic depictions are narrative but not literature.
B. Opposite choice.
C. Exactly on point. "While some may define cave paintings as literature, others would argue that they are merely graphic inscriptions that, though perhaps narrative, are not literary."
D. Not at all, this choice is too extreme.
E. Trap choice. This is yet another POV, it's not related to cave paintings.
Quote:
A. Yes, because JS believed that literature is art veiling the content. Whereas, RJ states that literature is an arrangement of words to convey the same idea in a magical way.
B. Too extreme, nobody would agree to this.
C. literature is "dangerous" - nobody implies this.
D. no one states their take on the innate characteristics of literature.
E. nobody states their opinion on this idea.
Quote:
A. Only choice remaining by POE. Also, it is pretty clear from the overall idea in the context of the main idea of para 3 that the author is presenting differences of opinion from people based on "their" definition of literature.
B. Not the intention, the universal acceptance expectation is yet another idea on which people have differences in opinion
C. Author doesn't intend any revaluation anywhere in the passage.
D. Same reason as C. No feelings of author about considering/revaluating etc is inferrable.
E. Wth, this is just a random choice. Jakobson's theory is totally different and unrelated to this book, at least from whatever we have in the passage.
