PrepTest 135, Section 3, Question 11
While recent decades have seen more information recorded(452 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(29 more words not shown)
- Ato provide evidence(12 more words not shown)
- Bto identify an(10 more words not shown)
- Cto argue a(11 more words not shown)
- Dto offer an(13 more words not shown)
- Eto suggest that(10 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
The first paragraph leaves archivists with fragile records to preserve. The next sentence introduces something that sounds promising: many different kinds of material can be transferred to compact electronic storage. Its immediate job is to present a possible answer to the problem.
What we’re looking for
Keep that sentence separate from what comes next. The later problems with obsolete equipment and deteriorating tape explain why the apparent solution isn't sufficient; they don't turn the opening sentence itself into another warning about failure.
Working the answers
- A
The opening claim is that the potential for losing information is greater than ever. Saying that computers can store many kinds of material doesn't by itself establish that danger. The later limitations of computer storage are needed for that argument.
- BCorrect
Here, “ostensible” means apparent: something that seems to be a solution. Paragraph 2 presents computer technology as an apparent answer for archivists, conveying exactly that sense. Computers initially look promising, even though the rest of the paragraph complicates that promise.
- C
The last sentence concerns sorting an enormous volume of records before they deteriorate. It doesn't reject the claim that many kinds of material can be stored electronically. That ability and the remaining selection problem can both be real.
- D
The examples at the end of the first paragraph show limited durability. This sentence changes direction by proposing electronic storage as an answer. It is not another example of a medium wearing out.
- E
Introducing a possible solution doesn't show that the final danger is exaggerated. The author continues to treat the preservation and selection problems as serious.
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