PrepTest 123, Section 1, Question 11
Countee Cullen (Countee Leroy Porter, 1903–1946) was one(461 more words not shown)
The references to specific poems(9 more words not shown)
- Acontrast some of(11 more words not shown)
- Bserve as illustrations(8 more words not shown)
- Cdemonstrate that Cullen's(7 more words not shown)
- Dsummarize the scope(9 more words not shown)
- Eillustrate the themes(9 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
These titles give us concrete examples of Cullen's work instead of leaving us with an abstract description of his poetry. But why these examples, in this paragraph? We need to look at the claims around them to understand what they're illustrating.
Working the answers
- A
Different critical reactions don't establish a ranking of the poems from more successful to less successful.
- BCorrect
Look at who introduces each example. Critics praise The Ballad of the Brown Girl for its skillful use of the English ballad form; other critics object to the use of European forms for the racial themes in Uncle Jim and Incident. The poems illustrate what those critics are responding to.
- C
One critic alleges that Cullen vacillates between roles, but the examples aren't presented as proof that this criticism is true. Cullen then rejects the supposed conflict.
- D
These are three examples selected within a discussion of critics' reactions. They don't show the full range of Cullen's treatment of race across his poetry.
- E
Some examples do involve racial themes, but listing themes isn't their purpose here. Their placement within the discussion of critics' praise and objections explains why these particular poems are mentioned.
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