Question

The author has written this passage in order to \(\underline{\hspace{3cm}}\).

• A. teach the reader how to interpret his or her own dreams
• B. discuss common causes of nightmares
• C. propose a psychological experiment
• D. respond to a specific critic who has cast doubt on his work's reliability
• E. justify his work and address some of its limitations

Hint:

When asked for the purpose of a preface or introductory remarks, look for arguments about the work's importance and explanations for the methods or challenges involved. Authors often use introductions to frame their work and preemptively answer potential questions or criticisms.

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks for the main purpose of the passage. The passage serves as an introduction to a larger work, so its purpose is to set the stage for what is to come. We need to analyze the main themes the author discusses.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The author spends the passage doing two main things:
1. Justifying the work: He argues for the "great" theoretical value of studying dreams, linking it to the understanding of phobias, obsessions, and delusions (Paragraph 1).
2. Addressing limitations: He discusses the "deficiencies in this work" (Paragraph 2), the "difficulties" in choosing material, and the personal "painful, but unavoidable" choices he had to make, such as using his own dreams and making "omissions and substitutions" (Paragraph 3).
Let's check the options:
- (A), (B), (C): The passage is a preface and does not teach interpretation, discuss nightmares, or propose an experiment.
- (D): There is no mention of a specific critic. The author is proactively addressing potential issues.
- (E): This option perfectly captures the dual purpose of the passage. He is justifying why the study of dreams is important while also managing the reader's expectations by explaining the work's inherent limitations.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The passage is an introductory text where the author explains the importance of his research while also acknowledging and explaining its shortcomings. Therefore, its purpose is to justify the work and address its limitations.