PrepTest 131, Section 4, Question 22
The Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988) was(439 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(11 more words not shown)
- ABetween 1927 and(16 more words not shown)
- BAfter completing the(22 more words not shown)
- CWhen Noguchi arrived(19 more words not shown)
- DMany of Noguchi's(9 more words not shown)
- EDespite his inquisitive(21 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
Our main point was that Noguchi was an original, inquisitive artist, with the positive-light portrait as the central example. What would make that example less persuasive? Someone else developing the same idea before him would challenge the claim of originality.
Working the answers
- ACorrect
Brancusi experimenting with positive-light sculpture during this earlier period would weaken the claim that Noguchi was taking an original direction. It's especially relevant because Noguchi worked in his studio. This doesn't prove Noguchi copied a completed sculpture, but it makes the author's presentation of the idea as a distinctively original discovery less secure.
- B
Making only a few such sculptures doesn't erase the innovation. Changing his style repeatedly also fits the ending's picture of someone who kept moving on to new questions.
- C
Knowing Brancusi was famous would help explain why Noguchi wanted to work with him. It doesn't show that Noguchi's own later idea lacked originality.
- D
Making abstract sculptures as well as the Fuller portrait doesn't undermine the portrait's innovation. Other kinds of work can coexist with this achievement.
- E
A scientific way of thinking doesn't require that Noguchi call himself a scientist or have extensive formal training. The claim we need to weaken concerns his artistic originality, not his scientific credentials.
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