PrepTest 101, Section 4, Question 7
Wherever the crime novels of P. D. James(445 more words not shown)
The author characterizes the position(22 more words not shown)
- ACritics of literature(11 more words not shown)
- BCritics should hesitate(4 more words not shown)
- CP. D. James's(11 more words not shown)
- DDetective fiction should(8 more words not shown)
- EP. D. James(7 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
These critics are telling James to stay in her lane. They object to her abandoning detective conventions for a highbrow style. That explains the “inverted” snobbery: instead of dismissing a book for lacking literary ambition, they criticize this genre writer for reaching too high. We need an answer expressing that restriction, even if it uses different words.
Working the answers
- A
This isn't a comparison of critics' talents with writers' talents. The complaint concerns the kind of writing James should attempt.
- B
These critics are disparaging James, not urging restraint in criticizing popular authors.
- C
The English landed gentry isn't the target of the criticism. No one here asks James to change her characters' social background.
- DCorrect
Saying detective fiction should remain unambitious captures the demand that James stop reaching beyond its traditional limits. The relevant sentence objects to her choosing “a highbrow literary style.” “Unambitious” isn't exactly how we phrased our prediction, but it expresses the same insistence that a crime writer should stick to the established formula.
- E
The relevant critics don't discuss how carefully James depicts violence. This introduces a different complaint.
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