PrepTest 141, Section 3, Question 17
Passage A Research concerning happiness and wealth reveals(487 more words not shown)
Passage A(297 more words not shown)
Passage B(198 more words not shown)
The author of passage B(33 more words not shown)
- Aungenerous in its(12 more words not shown)
- Bflattering in its(12 more words not shown)
- Cplausible in its(10 more words not shown)
- Dunflattering in its(16 more words not shown)
- Eaccurate concerning human(7 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
B thinks the rivalry interpretation gives people too little credit. The desire to earn more is presented as a desire to create value, which benefits society, rather than merely a desire to be superior to neighbors. B also says this explanation is better supported by the data.
What we’re looking for
So we need both parts of the reaction: a less favorable view of human motivation than B accepts, and an interpretation of the evidence B challenges.
Working the answers
- ACorrect
Ungenerous captures the contrast between mere one-upmanship and value creation. Mistaken captures B's claim that the data instead show a connection through perceived success. The final paragraph explicitly replaces an “ignoble tendency” with a socially beneficial desire.
- B
Flattering is the wrong direction. B offers the value-creation account as a more favorable picture than rivalry. Calling the rivalry view flattering misses that contrast, regardless of the second half.
- C
B allows that the theory may sound good, but does not say its problem is ambiguous evidence. The author says another explanation is better supported and identifies what the data show. Initial plausibility does not make this entire description fit.
- D
Unflattering fits, but more or less valid does not. B is challenging the conclusion drawn from the study, not accepting it while regretting what it says about human nature.
- E
Both parts endorse the rivalry interpretation. B instead argues for a different motive and says the evidence favors that alternative.
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