PrepTest 121, Section 3, Question 8
The poet Louise Glück has said that she(457 more words not shown)
As it is used in(14 more words not shown)
- Athe burden that(11 more words not shown)
- Bthe set of(10 more words not shown)
- Cthe poetry written(17 more words not shown)
- Dthe presumption that(23 more words not shown)
- Ethe imposition on(17 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
Put “inheritance” into our own words before looking at the definitions: an existing poetic tradition that Glück can regard as hers. The surrounding sentences connect her appreciation of earlier English-language poets with membership in a literary family.
What we’re looking for
That sounds like something available to draw on, not a style or set of subjects she is forced to use.
Working the answers
- A
A burden doesn't match her attitude toward this inheritance. She embraces the tradition with respect and admiration rather than presenting it as an obstacle placed on her.
- B
This describes standards for acceptable forms and techniques. The word here refers to the earlier body of poetry she inherits, not merely rules about what a culture permits.
- CCorrect
The poetry of earlier writers in her language supplies an achievement and model she can build on. That fits both the language connection and the idea of a literary family.
- D
Nothing limits contemporary poets to subjects celebrated predecessors already explored. Inheriting a tradition doesn't mean being forbidden to go beyond it.
- E
The key problem is “imposition.” Glück chooses to embrace the tradition; no one is forcing a particular writing style on her. C's model captures that relationship more accurately than E's compulsory style.
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