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- Wed Apr 26, 2023 11:02 am
#101425
Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: viewtopic.php?f=894&t=38299)
The correct answer choice is (B).
This question is asking for the purpose of the references to specific poems in the second paragraph. In other words, why were they mentioned in the paragraph?
In answering purpose questions, especially regarding specific details or examples used in a paragraph, it can be helpful to "zoom out" and think about the broader purpose of the paragraph itself. Usually, the specific detail being asked about in the question serves to support this broader point.
The second paragraph describes what some critics liked about Cullen's poems and what other critics disliked about his poems. It then ends with Cullen's response/rebuttal to the critics who disliked his poems. In this context, the specific poems mentioned are examples of these two points of view.
Answer choice (A): There is no discussion in this paragraph regarding which of Cullen's poems were more or less successful. While the first poem specifically mentioned is an example that some critics praised and the other poems specifically mentioned are examples that other critics disliked, there is no discussion of overall success of the poems.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. As discussed above, the specific poems are examples of the elements that some critics praised and elements that other critics disliked. Here, the word "illustrations" is a synonym for examples.
Answer choice (C): This answer is describing the view of one of the critics who disliked Cullen's poems. This is not the view of Cullen, nor the author. Also, the first poem specifically referred to was praised by some critics and was not discussed as demonstrating Cullen's vacillating persona.
Answer choice (D): This answer neglects the first poem mentioned in the paragraph. That poem was not discussed in the context of race. It was an example of a poem praised for its stylistic elements rather than its subject matter.
Answer choice (E): Like Answer D, this answer neglects the first poem mentioned in the paragraph. That poem was not discussed in the context of race. It was an example of a poem praised for its stylistic elements rather than its subject matter.
(See the complete passage discussion here: viewtopic.php?f=894&t=38299)
The correct answer choice is (B).
This question is asking for the purpose of the references to specific poems in the second paragraph. In other words, why were they mentioned in the paragraph?
In answering purpose questions, especially regarding specific details or examples used in a paragraph, it can be helpful to "zoom out" and think about the broader purpose of the paragraph itself. Usually, the specific detail being asked about in the question serves to support this broader point.
The second paragraph describes what some critics liked about Cullen's poems and what other critics disliked about his poems. It then ends with Cullen's response/rebuttal to the critics who disliked his poems. In this context, the specific poems mentioned are examples of these two points of view.
Answer choice (A): There is no discussion in this paragraph regarding which of Cullen's poems were more or less successful. While the first poem specifically mentioned is an example that some critics praised and the other poems specifically mentioned are examples that other critics disliked, there is no discussion of overall success of the poems.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. As discussed above, the specific poems are examples of the elements that some critics praised and elements that other critics disliked. Here, the word "illustrations" is a synonym for examples.
Answer choice (C): This answer is describing the view of one of the critics who disliked Cullen's poems. This is not the view of Cullen, nor the author. Also, the first poem specifically referred to was praised by some critics and was not discussed as demonstrating Cullen's vacillating persona.
Answer choice (D): This answer neglects the first poem mentioned in the paragraph. That poem was not discussed in the context of race. It was an example of a poem praised for its stylistic elements rather than its subject matter.
Answer choice (E): Like Answer D, this answer neglects the first poem mentioned in the paragraph. That poem was not discussed in the context of race. It was an example of a poem praised for its stylistic elements rather than its subject matter.