Question

The author implies which of the following about the impact of social media on emotional well-being?

• A. Its global reach exempts it from being a uniquely American psychological threat.
• B. Its influence is significant but insufficient to explain current American despair.
• C. Its role in influencing rude behaviour extends beyond its immediate users.
• D. It has replaced traditional American institutions that once fostered moral behaviour.
• E. It does not necessarily contribute to depression and rudeness in America.

Hint:

In boldface questions, first identify the main conclusion of the argument. Then, determine the relationship of each boldfaced statement to that conclusion. Is it evidence for the conclusion? Is it the conclusion itself? Is it an opposing viewpoint? Is it a consideration that the author must address?

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept
This is an inference question about the author's specific view on social media. The other questions (especially 50 and 51) suggest the author has a primary thesis about "moral formation" being the root cause. This implies that other popular explanations, like social media, are treated as contributing factors but not the main cause.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation
A sophisticated argument would not dismiss the impact of social media entirely but would argue that it's not the whole story.

(A) and (C) are specific claims that may or may not be in the passage. They are too detailed to be the main implied stance.
(D) positions social media as the direct replacement for institutions. The author more likely sees it as a symptom or parallel development, with the *decline* of institutions being the core problem.
(E) is too weak ("does not necessarily contribute"). Most modern social critiques acknowledge that social media *does* contribute to some extent.
(B) captures a nuanced and common argumentative position: acknowledging that a popular explanation (social media's influence) is a real and "significant" factor, but arguing that it is "insufficient" to explain the full scope of the problem. This sets the stage for the author to introduce their main thesis about a deeper cause.
Step 3: Final Answer
Option (B) represents the most plausible and intellectually nuanced role for the topic of social media within a broader argument about societal crisis.