Comprehension
In early-twentieth-century England, it was fashionable to claim that only a completely new style of writing could address a world undergoing unprecedented transformation — just as one literary critic recently claimed that only the new ”aesthetic of exploratory excess” can address a world undergoing . . . well, you know. Yet in early-twentieth-century England, T. S. Eliot, a man fascinated by the ”presence” of the past, wrote the most innovative poetry of his time. The lesson for today’s literary community seems obvious: a reorientation toward tradition would benefit writers no less than readers. But if our writers and critics indeed respect the novel’s rich tradition (as they claim to), then why do they disdain the urge to tell an exciting story?
Question: 1
The author of the passage suggests that present-day readers would particularly benefit from which of the following changes on the part of present-day writers and critics?
The author of the passage suggests that present-day readers would particularly benefit from which of the following changes on the part of present-day writers and critics?
Show Hint
In reading comprehension, pay close attention to the author's concluding statements or rhetorical questions. They often encapsulate the main argument or the key takeaway message of the passage.
Updated On: Oct 1, 2025
- An increased focus on the importance of engaging the audience in a narrative
- Modernization of the traditional novelistic elements already familiar to readers
- Embracing aspects of fiction that are generally peripheral to the interest of readers
- A greater recognition of how the tradition of the novel has changed over time
- A better understanding of how certain poets such as Eliot have influenced fiction of the present time
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks what change, according to the author, would benefit present-day readers. We need to identify the author's main critique of contemporary writers and critics to find the suggested improvement.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The author's argument builds to a final, critical question: "But if our writers and critics indeed respect the novel's rich tradition (as they claim to), then why do they disdain the urge to tell an exciting story?".
This rhetorical question is the core of the author's point. The author implies that modern writers and critics are failing to uphold a key part of the literary tradition: storytelling. They "disdain the urge to tell an exciting story."
Therefore, the author suggests that a change for the better would be to reverse this disdain and once again embrace the tradition of telling exciting stories. Engaging the audience with a narrative is synonymous with telling an exciting story.
Analyzing the Options:
(A) An increased focus on the importance of engaging the audience in a narrative.
This directly addresses the author's final point. "Engaging the audience in a narrative" is another way of saying "tell an exciting story." This aligns perfectly with the author's implied suggestion.
(B) Modernization of the traditional novelistic elements already familiar to readers.
The author advocates for a "reorientation toward tradition," not necessarily its modernization. The example of T.S. Eliot shows that innovation and tradition can coexist, but the author's specific complaint is about abandoning storytelling, not a failure to modernize.
(C) Embracing aspects of fiction that are generally peripheral to the interest of readers.
This is the opposite of the author's point. An "exciting story" is central to engaging readers, not peripheral.
(D) A greater recognition of how the tradition of the novel has changed over time.
The author's focus is not on the evolution of tradition but on the neglect of one of its fundamental components (storytelling).
(E) A better understanding of how certain poets such as Eliot have influenced fiction of the present time.
Eliot is used as an example to make a broader point about tradition and innovation. The main lesson the author draws is about storytelling in the novel, not about Eliot's specific influence.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The author's critique culminates in the observation that modern writers disdain telling an exciting story. Therefore, a beneficial change would be to refocus on engaging the audience with a narrative, as stated in option (A).
This question asks what change, according to the author, would benefit present-day readers. We need to identify the author's main critique of contemporary writers and critics to find the suggested improvement.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The author's argument builds to a final, critical question: "But if our writers and critics indeed respect the novel's rich tradition (as they claim to), then why do they disdain the urge to tell an exciting story?".
This rhetorical question is the core of the author's point. The author implies that modern writers and critics are failing to uphold a key part of the literary tradition: storytelling. They "disdain the urge to tell an exciting story."
Therefore, the author suggests that a change for the better would be to reverse this disdain and once again embrace the tradition of telling exciting stories. Engaging the audience with a narrative is synonymous with telling an exciting story.
Analyzing the Options:
(A) An increased focus on the importance of engaging the audience in a narrative.
This directly addresses the author's final point. "Engaging the audience in a narrative" is another way of saying "tell an exciting story." This aligns perfectly with the author's implied suggestion.
(B) Modernization of the traditional novelistic elements already familiar to readers.
The author advocates for a "reorientation toward tradition," not necessarily its modernization. The example of T.S. Eliot shows that innovation and tradition can coexist, but the author's specific complaint is about abandoning storytelling, not a failure to modernize.
(C) Embracing aspects of fiction that are generally peripheral to the interest of readers.
This is the opposite of the author's point. An "exciting story" is central to engaging readers, not peripheral.
(D) A greater recognition of how the tradition of the novel has changed over time.
The author's focus is not on the evolution of tradition but on the neglect of one of its fundamental components (storytelling).
(E) A better understanding of how certain poets such as Eliot have influenced fiction of the present time.
Eliot is used as an example to make a broader point about tradition and innovation. The main lesson the author draws is about storytelling in the novel, not about Eliot's specific influence.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The author's critique culminates in the observation that modern writers disdain telling an exciting story. Therefore, a beneficial change would be to refocus on engaging the audience with a narrative, as stated in option (A).
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Question: 2
The word "address" appears in the first sentence of the passage. Part of that sentence reads, "...a completely new style of writing could address a world undergoing unprecedented transformation...". In the context of the passage as a whole, "address" is closest in meaning to
The word "address" appears in the first sentence of the passage. Part of that sentence reads, "...a completely new style of writing could address a world undergoing unprecedented transformation...". In the context of the passage as a whole, "address" is closest in meaning to
Show Hint
When faced with a vocabulary-in-context question, substitute each answer choice back into the original sentence. The correct answer will maintain the logical flow and intended meaning of the sentence and the passage as a whole.
Updated On: Oct 1, 2025
- reveal
- belie
- speak to
- direct attention toward
- attempt to remediate
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is a vocabulary-in-context question. We need to determine the meaning of the word "address" as it is used in the first sentence, considering the overall theme of the passage.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The sentence discusses the relationship between a style of writing and the world it exists in. It posits that a "new style of writing" was thought to be necessary to engage with or respond to a "world undergoing unprecedented transformation." The word "address" here means to deal with, confront, or be relevant to this changing world.
Analyzing the Options:
(A) reveal: While writing can reveal truths about the world, "address" implies a more active form of engagement or commentary, not just passive showing.
(B) belie: This means to contradict or misrepresent. It is the opposite of the intended meaning.
(C) speak to: This idiomatic phrase means to be relevant to, to resonate with, or to deal with a particular topic or audience. A writing style that "speaks to" a changing world is one that is relevant and responsive to it. This fits the context perfectly.
(D) direct attention toward: This is a possible meaning, but it's narrower than "speak to." To address an issue is not just to point it out, but to engage with it, analyze it, and comment on it. "Speak to" captures this broader sense of engagement.
(E) attempt to remediate: To remediate means to fix or provide a remedy. While some literature may aim to do this, the primary function being described here is one of engagement and relevance, not necessarily of fixing societal problems.
Step 3: Final Answer:
In this context, "address a world" means to engage with and be relevant to that world's conditions. The phrase "speak to" best captures this meaning of relevance and active engagement.
This is a vocabulary-in-context question. We need to determine the meaning of the word "address" as it is used in the first sentence, considering the overall theme of the passage.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The sentence discusses the relationship between a style of writing and the world it exists in. It posits that a "new style of writing" was thought to be necessary to engage with or respond to a "world undergoing unprecedented transformation." The word "address" here means to deal with, confront, or be relevant to this changing world.
Analyzing the Options:
(A) reveal: While writing can reveal truths about the world, "address" implies a more active form of engagement or commentary, not just passive showing.
(B) belie: This means to contradict or misrepresent. It is the opposite of the intended meaning.
(C) speak to: This idiomatic phrase means to be relevant to, to resonate with, or to deal with a particular topic or audience. A writing style that "speaks to" a changing world is one that is relevant and responsive to it. This fits the context perfectly.
(D) direct attention toward: This is a possible meaning, but it's narrower than "speak to." To address an issue is not just to point it out, but to engage with it, analyze it, and comment on it. "Speak to" captures this broader sense of engagement.
(E) attempt to remediate: To remediate means to fix or provide a remedy. While some literature may aim to do this, the primary function being described here is one of engagement and relevance, not necessarily of fixing societal problems.
Step 3: Final Answer:
In this context, "address a world" means to engage with and be relevant to that world's conditions. The phrase "speak to" best captures this meaning of relevance and active engagement.
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