#12 - Concept Reference, Must Be True

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation

The correct answer choice is (D).

Answer choice (A):

Answer choice (B):

Answer choice (C):

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

Answer choice (E):

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

[jared.xu]

The answer sheet said that the correct answer is D. I got B, and do not see how D could be better. Could you explain? Thank you.

[Jon Denning]

Hey Jared - thanks for the message. To help me better assist you, can you please explain your reasoning for choosing B (and perhaps what it was about D that you disliked)? Thanks!

[jared.xu]

Hi Jon,

First, let me say that I am a big fan of your virtual modules. They have been extremely helpful. So it's weird that I feel that I already know you as an instructor, and feel grateful to you even though this is the first time I'm asking for your help.

I just reread the passage, and realized my problem. It has to do with my comprehension of the words "immediate successors" in the question. When I first read the question, I immediately thought of Milman Parry's son Adam, and decided that Adam represents Milman Parry's immediate successors. I then reread the last paragraph (48-61) and chose B because B basically summarizes it. But now I realize that "immediate successors" actually refer to "the scholars" who take up his legacy (38). Rereading lines 38 to 44, it makes sense to me now why the answer is D. I see how B is a trap, but my question now is how to avoid this type of trap in the future. The only potential clue that I might have noticed is that Adam Parry is one person, whereas the question asks "immediate successors" in the plural. But under the time constraints, I didn't make a big deal out of it, and thought that Adam Parry could represent the other successors. Since the actual passage does not say whether the "immediate successors" are the scholars who took up Milman Parry's legacy, or Adam Parry, I am not sure that I could get this type of trick question right in a similar type of situation in the future. So please instruct what I should do to get this type of question right. Thank you.

[Jon Denning]

You know that's a good question, and one that comes up a lot, and I think it really just speaks to the nature of the test, in that the test makers will constantly examine your ability to read closely/attentively. We talk in our courses about how language is really the primary weapon that the test makers have to use against you, and that tends to be either them wording things in a manner designed to confuse you, or testing your ability to pay close attention to exactly what was said (or some combination of both). So my advice is to pay extremely close attention to the information that's given, and when you see it get a little confusing (strange phrasing, multiple viewpoints or people/groups referenced, etc) slow down a little bit and be sure you know precisely what's being said.