PrepTest 132, Section 3, Question 14
Specialists in international communications almost unanimously assert that(443 more words not shown)
The primary purpose of the(3 more words not shown)
- Adetermine which of(9 more words not shown)
- Bdiscredit the evidence(9 more words not shown)
- Cargue that a(7 more words not shown)
- Dexamine similar methodological(5 more words not shown)
- Ecompare the views(7 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
We've already made a rough prediction: the author argues against automatically calling imported television cultural imperialism. We're looking for the purpose served by that challenge.
Working the answers
- A
The author doesn't determine which of two hypotheses is correct. Absorption and selective fusion are possibilities for further investigation, not competing hypotheses between which a winner is established.
- B
The criticism is that the dominance assertion has little or no empirical foundation. The author doesn't analyze and discredit a body of evidence offered by the specialists.
- CCorrect
This improves my initial prediction by including the recommendation. The author explicitly says an “empirical approach” is needed, then identifies what it should investigate. The earlier criticism and examples motivate that methodological change. The purpose isn't merely to announce that dominance is the wrong label; it's to argue for studying the relationship through actual evidence and experience.
- D
Communications specialists' approach is criticized, while anthropology provides a useful example. Similar weaknesses in both disciplines aren't examined.
- E
The disciplines aren't presented as two equal sides in a comparison of views. The author is advocating a different approach for communications research.
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