PrepTest 105, Section 3, Question 21
Despite the great differences among the cultures from(438 more words not shown)
The primary purpose of the(3 more words not shown)
- Aillustrate a general(10 more words not shown)
- Billuminate a point(7 more words not shown)
- Csummarize the achievements(5 more words not shown)
- Dprovoke a discussion(13 more words not shown)
- Erefute a prevailing(9 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
The discussion keeps returning to two competing pulls: borrowing from other literatures and expressing Hispanic-American lives and voices. The novel examples show the competing standards; the history shows their changing influence; the ending shows writers still dealing with both.
What we’re looking for
For the purpose, we're looking for what the writer does with that tension.
Working the answers
- A
This would make Hispanic-American literature an example of a general problem affecting literature. The writer doesn't establish that broader claim. We shouldn't extend this particular discussion to literature as a whole.
- BCorrect
The point of tension is cosmopolitanism versus nativism, and the particular literature is Hispanic-American literature. Explaining those tendencies and how writers experience them is the work done throughout.
- C
Outstanding works and favorable reviews are mentioned, but to illustrate the competing influences. The discussion isn't a summary of the culture's literary accomplishments.
- D
Cultural identity could matter to politics, but this discussion concerns literary forms, voices, and influences. It isn't setting up a political debate.
- E
What prevailing assumption is being refuted? We aren't given a widely held belief that the writer sets out to disprove. Explaining the historical pattern of a tension isn't the same as refuting an accepted account of it.
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