PrepTest 148, Section 1, Question 18
Liang: Watching movies in which violence is portrayed(62 more words not shown)
The dialogue provides the most(12 more words not shown)
- Apeople who experience(11 more words not shown)
- Bthe members of(17 more words not shown)
- Cif violence in(13 more words not shown)
- Dthe effects of(11 more words not shown)
- Echildren are more(13 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
They aren't necessarily arguing about the same audience. Liang wants to restrict children's access to movies that present violence as a suitable solution. Sarah talks about mature audiences and says watching violent characters can release aggressive feelings. Something could be unsuitable for children while being acceptable for adults.
What we’re looking for
The question asks what they agree about. Liang thinks watching these movies can increase aggression; Sarah thinks watching violent drama can purge it. Those are different effects, but both speakers think watching something can affect the viewer. That's the common ground I'd look for.
Working the answers
- A
Sarah says that experiencing aggressive emotions through a drama can purge those emotions. Liang doesn't make that claim. His account of increased aggression gives us no reason to assign him Sarah's explanation.
- B
Liang doesn't discuss what mature viewers believe about violence. Sarah doesn't clearly endorse this either: being relieved of aggressive feelings isn't the same as believing violence is never an appropriate solution. We can't establish agreement on that belief.
- C
Liang's recommendation gives us some support for restricting harmful movies, at least for children. But Sarah only explains why she opposes restrictions for mature viewers under her account of the effects. She doesn't tell us what restrictions she would support if movies caused violence. We shouldn't invent her answer to that hypothetical.
- DCorrect
Each speaker claims to understand at least one effect of dramatic violence. Liang identifies increased aggression, and Sarah identifies the release of aggressive feelings. They don't have to agree on the same effect, or claim that every effect is understood. Their statements support this modest point about having some understanding.
- E
Neither speaker compares how attracted children and adults are to violent dramas. Liang's concern about harm to children doesn't establish that children enjoy these dramas more. Sarah's claim about mature viewers doesn't supply that comparison either.
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