#3 - Specific Reference, Must Be True, Purpose/Function

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation

The correct answer choice is (B).

Answer choice (A):

Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice.

Answer choice (C):

Answer choice (D):

Answer choice (E):

This explanation is still in progress. Please post any questions below!

[Sharonloveslaw]

I chose E. What's the difference between B and E?

Complete Question Explanation

The correct answer choice is (B).

Answer choice (A):

Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice.

Answer choice (C):

Answer choice (D):

Answer choice (E):

This explanation is still in progress. Please post any questions below!

[Luke Haqq]

Hi Sharonloveslaw!

Happy to address the differences between answer choices (B) and (E). In asking about the function of the second paragraph, these choices are:

(B) present previously mentioned positions in greater detail
(E) analyze a dilemma in greater depth

These answer choices definitely look the same in some respects--e.g., both referring to "in greater depth/detail." But they also have some differences:

• (B) refers to "positions" in the plural in contrast to (E) mentioning "a" dilemma

• There are differences in the meaning of a "position" (e.g., taking a stance on something) and a "dilemma" (a quandary)

• The verb in (B) is "present" while the verb in (E) is "analyze"

The second of these points seems to make answer choice (B) preferable to (E). The first paragraph introduces "a tendency on the one hand to exaggerate [P. D. James's] merits and on the other to castigate her as a genre writer" (lines 2-4). The second paragraph unpacks this, discussing merits as well as criticisms of her writing.

In deciding between answer choices (B) and (E), the word "dilemma" seems more demanding than "positions"--there were different positions introduced (praises and criticisms of James), but do these create a dilemma? If so, what is the dilemma? If one cannot put a finger on a specific dilemma, this is a compelling reason for eliminating (E). By contrast, answer choice (B) makes a weaker claim that the second paragraph unpacks positions, without additionally taking these positions to have created a dilemma.

In the end, if you are unsure, it can help to go back to the passage and pinpoint specific lines of text that support your answer--here, with (B) and (E) as your two contenders for answers, this would mean confirming the existence of a dilemma or eliminating it in the absence of such confirmation.

[jmulder615]

I am a little bit bothered by this question because I assumed that since Waugh and Oakes were never referred to in the first paragraph, the second paragraph could not possibly be expanding on the ideas presented in the first paragraph.

[Rachael Wilkenfeld]

Why not, jmulder? When you expand on a topic, you give more depth and detail. The first paragraph sets up the two opposing critical positions, while the second gives more detail, and provides specific individuals who held these ideas. It's a direct continuation of the ideas from that first paragraph. The first sentence of the first paragraph gives us both positions, and the positions are fleshed out in that second paragraph.

Hope that helps!