Comprehension
Although Victor Turner’s writings have proved fruitful for fields beyond anthropology, his definition of ritual is overly restrictive. Ritual, he says, is “pre- list scribed formal behavior for occasions not given over
LINE (5) to technological routine, having reference to beliefs in mystical beings or powers,” “ Technological routine” refers to the means by which a social group provides for its material needs. Turner’s differentiating ritual from technology helps us recognize that festivals and
LINE (10) celebrations may have little purpose other than play, but it obscures the practical aims, such as making crops grow or healing patients, of other rituals. Further, Turner’s definition implies a necessary relationship between ritual and mystical beliefs. However, not all
LINE (15) rituals are religious; some religions have no reference to mystical beings; and individuals may be required only to participate in, not necessarily believe in, a ritual. Turner's assumption that ritual behavior follows belief thus limits the usefulness of his definition in
LINE (20) studying ritual across cultures.
Question: 1
According to the passage, which of the following does Turner exclude from his conception of ritual?
According to the passage, which of the following does Turner exclude from his conception of ritual?
Show Hint
Pay close attention to negative phrasing and contrastive terms in definitions. Words like "not," "except," and "other than" are crucial for understanding what a definition includes and excludes. Here, "not given over to" is the key phrase.
Updated On: Oct 1, 2025
- Behavior based on beliefs
- Behavior based on formal rules
- Celebrations whose purpose is play
- Routines directed toward practical ends
- Festivals honoring supernatural beings
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is a detail question asking what is specifically left out of Turner's definition of ritual, according to the passage.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The passage presents Turner's definition in lines 3-6: "prescribed formal behavior for occasions not given over to technological routine..." The author then immediately defines "technological routine" as "the means by which a social group provides for its material needs" (lines 7-8). This clearly refers to routines with practical aims. Therefore, Turner's definition explicitly separates ritual from these practical routines.
- (A) and (B) are explicitly included in his definition ("prescribed formal behavior," "having reference to beliefs").
- (C) The author notes that Turner's definition helps us see these as rituals (non-technological), so they are included.
- (E) This is a prime example of something that is a ritual under Turner's definition ("mystical beings or powers").
- (D) This is the definition of "technological routine," which Turner's definition explicitly excludes ("not given over to").
Step 3: Final Answer:
Turner's definition explicitly excludes routines directed toward practical ends, which he labels "technological routine."
This is a detail question asking what is specifically left out of Turner's definition of ritual, according to the passage.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The passage presents Turner's definition in lines 3-6: "prescribed formal behavior for occasions not given over to technological routine..." The author then immediately defines "technological routine" as "the means by which a social group provides for its material needs" (lines 7-8). This clearly refers to routines with practical aims. Therefore, Turner's definition explicitly separates ritual from these practical routines.
- (A) and (B) are explicitly included in his definition ("prescribed formal behavior," "having reference to beliefs").
- (C) The author notes that Turner's definition helps us see these as rituals (non-technological), so they are included.
- (E) This is a prime example of something that is a ritual under Turner's definition ("mystical beings or powers").
- (D) This is the definition of "technological routine," which Turner's definition explicitly excludes ("not given over to").
Step 3: Final Answer:
Turner's definition explicitly excludes routines directed toward practical ends, which he labels "technological routine."
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Question: 2
The passage suggests that an assumption underlying Turner's definition of ritual is that
The passage suggests that an assumption underlying Turner's definition of ritual is that
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When a passage critiques a definition or theory, the "assumptions" of that theory are often the very points the author chooses to attack. Look at the author's main criticisms to identify the underlying premises of the idea being critiqued.
Updated On: Oct 1, 2025
- anthropological concepts apply to other fields
- festivals and ceremonies are related cultural phenomena
- there is a relationship between play and practical ends
- rituals refer only to belief in mystical beings or powers
- mystical beings and powers have certain common attributes across cultures
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks us to identify a foundational belief or premise upon which Turner builds his definition, as interpreted by the author of the passage.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The author critiques Turner's definition as "overly restrictive" and points to a key problem in lines 13-14: "Turner's definition implies a necessary relationship between ritual and mystical beliefs." The author then argues against this by noting that "not all rituals are religious." By framing this as a flaw, the author is highlighting that Turner's definition is built on the (in the author's view, incorrect) assumption that a reference to mystical beliefs is a necessary component of all rituals. In other words, Turner assumes that for something to be a ritual, it must refer to mystical beliefs.
- (A) This is stated as a fact about Turner's work in the first sentence, not an assumption within his definition.
- (B) This is a general anthropological idea, not a specific assumption underlying the definition.
- (C) Turner's definition explicitly separates ritual from practical ends, so he assumes a distinction, not a relationship.
- (D) This captures the essence of the author's critique. Turner's definition is built on the assumption that the link to mystical belief is essential, which implies that rituals only exist in this context, excluding non-religious ones.
- (E) The definition doesn't require any commonality in the beings or powers themselves, only that the ritual refers to them.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The author's critique makes it clear that Turner's definition is based on the restrictive assumption that a reference to mystical beliefs is a required element of all rituals.
This question asks us to identify a foundational belief or premise upon which Turner builds his definition, as interpreted by the author of the passage.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The author critiques Turner's definition as "overly restrictive" and points to a key problem in lines 13-14: "Turner's definition implies a necessary relationship between ritual and mystical beliefs." The author then argues against this by noting that "not all rituals are religious." By framing this as a flaw, the author is highlighting that Turner's definition is built on the (in the author's view, incorrect) assumption that a reference to mystical beliefs is a necessary component of all rituals. In other words, Turner assumes that for something to be a ritual, it must refer to mystical beliefs.
- (A) This is stated as a fact about Turner's work in the first sentence, not an assumption within his definition.
- (B) This is a general anthropological idea, not a specific assumption underlying the definition.
- (C) Turner's definition explicitly separates ritual from practical ends, so he assumes a distinction, not a relationship.
- (D) This captures the essence of the author's critique. Turner's definition is built on the assumption that the link to mystical belief is essential, which implies that rituals only exist in this context, excluding non-religious ones.
- (E) The definition doesn't require any commonality in the beings or powers themselves, only that the ritual refers to them.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The author's critique makes it clear that Turner's definition is based on the restrictive assumption that a reference to mystical beliefs is a required element of all rituals.
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Question: 3
It can be inferred that the author of the passage believes each of the following concerning rituals EXCEPT:
It can be inferred that the author of the passage believes each of the following concerning rituals EXCEPT:
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In EXCEPT questions, go through the options one by one and try to find direct evidence in the passage that supports each statement. The one for which you cannot find support, or which contradicts the author's main point, will be the correct answer.
Updated On: Oct 1, 2025
- Some are unrelated to religious belief.
- Some are intended to have practical consequences.
- Some have no purpose other than play.
- They sometimes involve reference to mystical beings.
- They are predominantly focused on agricultural ends.
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The Correct Option is
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is an EXCEPT question, which means we must find the one statement that the author does not believe or that is not supported by the passage. The four incorrect options will be things the author does believe.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's check each statement against the author's arguments in the passage.
- (A) The author explicitly states this as a critique of Turner: "...not all rituals are religious" (lines 14-15). So, the author believes this.
- (B) The author explicitly states this as a critique of Turner: his definition "obscures the practical aims, such as making crops grow or healing patients" (lines 11-13). So, the author believes this.
- (C) The author agrees with Turner on this point, saying his definition "helps us recognize that festivals and celebrations may have little purpose other than play" (lines 9-11). So, the author believes this.
- (D) The author's argument is not that rituals never involve mystical beings, but that they don't always do so. Therefore, the author would agree that they "sometimes" do. So, the author believes this.
- (E) The author uses "making crops grow" as just one example of a practical aim. The entire thrust of the passage is that rituals are diverse and Turner's definition is too narrow. Claiming that they are "predominantly" focused on any single end, like agriculture, would contradict the author's main point about their variety. There is no evidence in the passage to support this claim.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The author's argument is for the diversity of rituals, so the author would not agree that they are predominantly focused on a single area like agriculture. This is the correct answer for the EXCEPT question.
This is an EXCEPT question, which means we must find the one statement that the author does not believe or that is not supported by the passage. The four incorrect options will be things the author does believe.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's check each statement against the author's arguments in the passage.
- (A) The author explicitly states this as a critique of Turner: "...not all rituals are religious" (lines 14-15). So, the author believes this.
- (B) The author explicitly states this as a critique of Turner: his definition "obscures the practical aims, such as making crops grow or healing patients" (lines 11-13). So, the author believes this.
- (C) The author agrees with Turner on this point, saying his definition "helps us recognize that festivals and celebrations may have little purpose other than play" (lines 9-11). So, the author believes this.
- (D) The author's argument is not that rituals never involve mystical beings, but that they don't always do so. Therefore, the author would agree that they "sometimes" do. So, the author believes this.
- (E) The author uses "making crops grow" as just one example of a practical aim. The entire thrust of the passage is that rituals are diverse and Turner's definition is too narrow. Claiming that they are "predominantly" focused on any single end, like agriculture, would contradict the author's main point about their variety. There is no evidence in the passage to support this claim.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The author's argument is for the diversity of rituals, so the author would not agree that they are predominantly focused on a single area like agriculture. This is the correct answer for the EXCEPT question.
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Question: 4
Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?
Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?
Show Hint
To analyze a passage's organization, identify the main purpose of each paragraph or major section. Look for pivot words like "However," "Further," or "For example" that signal a shift in the argument, and then summarize the overall flow.
Updated On: Oct 1, 2025
- Factual data are presented and a hypothesis is proposed.
- A distinction is introduced then shown not to be a true distinction.
- A statement is quoted, and two assumptions on which it is based are clarified.
- A definition is challenged, and two reasons for the challenge are given.
- An opinion is offered and then placed within a historical framework.
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks about the logical structure of the passage about Victor Turner's definition of ritual. We need to trace the flow of the author's argument.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's break down the passage's organization:
1. Introduction of a Definition: The passage begins by presenting Victor Turner's definition of ritual.
2. Challenge to the Definition: The author immediately states that this definition is "overly restrictive," which is a direct challenge to its validity or usefulness.
3. First Reason for the Challenge: The author explains that the definition "obscures the practical aims" of many rituals (lines 11-13). This is the first reason the definition is too narrow.
4. Second Reason for the Challenge: The author then points out that "Turner's definition implies a necessary relationship between ritual and mystical beliefs" (lines 13-14) and argues against this, providing the second reason for the challenge.
This structure perfectly matches the description in option (D).
- (A) is incorrect. A hypothesis is not proposed; rather, a definition is critiqued.
- (B) is incorrect. The author argues that the distinction Turner makes (between ritual and technology) is too rigid, but the primary structure is a challenge, not just a blurring of a distinction.
- (C) is incorrect. A definition is quoted, but the author critiques its assumptions rather than just clarifying them.
- (E) is incorrect. While the author offers an opinion, the structure is a direct critique of a specific definition, not a placement within a historical framework.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The passage is organized by first presenting a definition, then challenging it, and providing two specific reasons for that challenge.
This question asks about the logical structure of the passage about Victor Turner's definition of ritual. We need to trace the flow of the author's argument.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's break down the passage's organization:
1. Introduction of a Definition: The passage begins by presenting Victor Turner's definition of ritual.
2. Challenge to the Definition: The author immediately states that this definition is "overly restrictive," which is a direct challenge to its validity or usefulness.
3. First Reason for the Challenge: The author explains that the definition "obscures the practical aims" of many rituals (lines 11-13). This is the first reason the definition is too narrow.
4. Second Reason for the Challenge: The author then points out that "Turner's definition implies a necessary relationship between ritual and mystical beliefs" (lines 13-14) and argues against this, providing the second reason for the challenge.
This structure perfectly matches the description in option (D).
- (A) is incorrect. A hypothesis is not proposed; rather, a definition is critiqued.
- (B) is incorrect. The author argues that the distinction Turner makes (between ritual and technology) is too rigid, but the primary structure is a challenge, not just a blurring of a distinction.
- (C) is incorrect. A definition is quoted, but the author critiques its assumptions rather than just clarifying them.
- (E) is incorrect. While the author offers an opinion, the structure is a direct critique of a specific definition, not a placement within a historical framework.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The passage is organized by first presenting a definition, then challenging it, and providing two specific reasons for that challenge.
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