PrepTest 140, Section 2, Question 14
Professor: The most important function of epic poetry(57 more words not shown)
If the professor's statements are(10 more words not shown)
- AAn important function(18 more words not shown)
- BEpic poems accomplish(11 more words not shown)
- CWhen values are(11 more words not shown)
- DFor many groups(18 more words not shown)
- EOnly epic poetry(21 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
We might question the professor's account of what epic poetry does. A story can entertain people without becoming their guide to life. But this question explicitly asks us to accept the professor's statements and identify what follows, so let's work within that account.
The most important function is passing on a group's values. How does an epic poem do that? By showing those values in heroic figures presented as role models, rather than spelling the values out as rules. Imitating the models then gives listeners meaning and direction. We don't have to assume every listener imitates every hero; the claim concerns what that imitation accomplishes.
What we’re looking for
There isn't a new, detailed prediction I need to invent here. Keep the links straight and stay with epic poetry. An answer about haikus or poetry generally would have to earn that wider scope; we have been told about epic poetry.
Working the answers
- A
This broadens the claim to poetry generally and to people who read it as well as hear it. The professor specifically describes epic poetry transmitting values through role models, then says that imitating those models provides meaning and direction. A compresses those steps into a general function of poetry that the passage hasn't established.
- BCorrect
Join the first two statements: epic poetry's most important function is transmitting values, and that transmission happens through heroic figures presented as role models. Therefore, presenting those figures as models is how epic poems accomplish their most important function. We don't need to add a claim about other poetry or about how many listeners copy the heroes.
- C
The professor says the values transmitted by epic poetry aren't presented through explicit discussion. Other kinds of poems might state values directly. The passage doesn't establish what is rare across poetry as a whole.
- D
How many groups? The professor describes the function of epic poetry and the values a group is to live by. That doesn't tell us that many groups actually use heroic figures as their models. D adds a claim about the prevalence of this practice.
- E
Only would rule out every other kind of poetry doing the same thing. The professor never makes that comparison. Another form of poetry could also present heroic role models whose imitation provides meaning and direction, while everything said about epic poetry remained true.
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