RC Drill Set 6, Question 7
Historian Philippe Ariès claimed that in medieval Europe(445 more words not shown)
The passage is primarily concerned(1 more words not shown)
- Acriticizing and dismissing(3 more words not shown)
- Bdescribing and evaluating(2 more words not shown)
- Creconciling two explanations(4 more words not shown)
- Drefuting a recent(1 more words not shown)
- Esummarizing information about(3 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
We've already predicted the central judgment: Shahar challenges Ariès's account of medieval childhood, but leaves important parts unanswered. For this purpose question, we're looking for a description of what the writer does to reach that judgment.
What we’re looking for
The middle paragraphs explain her evidence, and the ending calls it persuasive but incomplete. Even if we personally disagree with her, our answer needs to preserve that evaluation.
Working the answers
- A
The older theory is challenged but not dismissed as a whole. The ending identifies claims Shahar hasn't addressed, and the main focus is her new research.
- BCorrect
Shahar's “recent research” is introduced, its sources and arguments are described, and its success and limits are evaluated. This captures the full progression.
- C
The writer doesn't reconcile the accounts. Ariès and Shahar disagree about whether childhood was recognized and parents were concerned; the writer evaluates the challenge rather than combining their positions.
- D
The recent research is Shahar's, and it is called “highly persuasive.” Pointing out an omission isn't a refutation of her work.
- E
A summary of an unusual phenomenon would leave out the argument over the historical claims and the evaluation of the research.
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