LR Drill Set 2, Question 2
Roberta: The recent increase in independently produced films(98 more words not shown)
Roberta's and Vernon's comments indicate(4 more words not shown)
- Athe quality of(2 more words not shown)
- Bthe competence of(6 more words not shown)
- Cwhether unionized film(6 more words not shown)
- Dwhether audiences prefer(5 more words not shown)
- Ethe reason that(7 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
More independent films tell us that something is changing. Do they tell us why?
Roberta sees a desire for inventive filmmaking. That is possible, but filmmakers might also want more control, a chance at fame, or a way to make money without a studio. The increase alone doesn't identify their motivation.
Vernon offers the money explanation in a specific form: filmmakers want cheaper, nonunionized crews. He also says the resulting films are poor.
Be careful with that point. A filmmaker could sincerely aim for creative excellence and make a bad film. Poor results don't automatically disprove an artistic motive.
What we’re looking for
I'm not convinced that either speaker has settled the true explanation, but we don't have to choose a side. The question asks where they disagree. Roberta says the growth comes from a yearning for inventive work. Vernon says it is merely a search for inexpensive labor. Look for the cause of the increase in independent production.
Working the answers
- A
They both speak poorly of studio filmmaking. Roberta calls the studios' output “junk,” and Vernon says independent films are just as poor as studio productions. Their disagreement isn't whether studio films are good. Read what each actually says rather than assuming opponents must differ on every topic.
- B
Vernon explicitly criticizes the competence of independent-film crews. Roberta doesn't discuss the crews. Her claim about a desire for inventive filmmaking doesn't establish that the people hired to carry it out are competent. We don't have opposite positions from both speakers.
- C
Vernon thinks experienced unionized crews are getting the pay they deserve. Roberta says nothing about union pay. We cannot infer her disagreement from the fact that she gives a different explanation for the growth of independent films.
- D
Being tired of studio films doesn't establish that audiences prefer the independent alternatives. They could be disappointed with both. Roberta mentions audience dissatisfaction, and Vernon discusses film quality, but neither comparison gives us the required clear disagreement about audiences' preferences.
- ECorrect
Roberta explains the rise by filmmakers' desire to be inventive. Vernon says the trend is merely an effort to obtain cheaper labor. Those are opposing accounts of why independent production is increasing. Identifying that disagreement doesn't require us to decide which account is better supported.
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