PrepTest 114, Section 3, Question 15
In explaining the foundations of the discipline known(436 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(9 more words not shown)
- AAbrams argues that(25 more words not shown)
- BAbrams argues that(20 more words not shown)
- CAbrams argues that(24 more words not shown)
- DAbrams describes historical(28 more words not shown)
- EAbrams describes historical(20 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
We've already predicted Abrams's central idea: study how people shape society and how society shapes people, rather than choosing just one direction. He brings those approaches together and applies them to history. We want that relationship, not just an answer containing the familiar words structuring or contingencies.
Working the answers
- A
This invents a specific opposing claim: that structuring cannot apply to interactions between individuals and history. The text doesn't attribute that view to sociologists. Notice that A says Abrams rejects that claim, so it doesn't make him oppose applying structuring to history. The problem is the debate it says he's responding to.
- B
Again, the supposed contrary view isn't given. Abrams criticizes focusing on only one direction of influence between individuals and society. That isn't the same as saying sociologists deny history's influence on contingencies.
- C
The two-way influence sounds promising, but this also invents sociologists' opposition to the claim it describes. And it shifts the central relationship from individuals and society to social structures and historical events. It doesn't capture the combination Abrams begins with.
- DCorrect
This matches both parts: unite the approaches, then apply the combined understanding to history. The opening calls for moving beyond “one-sided approaches”; paragraph 2 says Abrams sees history as the result of structuring. The final method develops that application.
- E
We aren't given shortcomings of traditional historical methods that Abrams is trying to repair. The identified limitation is the one-sided approach in sociology. E supplies a different reason for bringing sociology into history.
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