Read the passage(s) below and answer the question based on what is stated or implied in the passage(s) and in any introductory material that may be provided.
Passage
Performance is a genre in which art is presented "live," usually by the artist but sometimes with collaborators or performers. It has had a role in avant-garde art throughout the twentieth century, playing an important part in movements such as Futurism. Indeed, whenever artists have become discontented with conventional forms of art, such as painting and traditional modes of sculpture, they have often turned to performance as a means to rejuvenate their work. The most significant flourishing of performance art took place following the decline of modernism and Abstract Expressionism in the 1960s, and it found exponents across the world. Performance art of this period was particularly focused on the body, and is often referred to as Body art. This reflects the period's so-called "dematerialization of the art object, and the flight from traditional media. It also reflects the political ferment of the time: the rise of feminism, which encouraged thought about the division between the personal and political and anti-war activism, which supplied models for politicized art "actions."
Adapted from "Performance Art ©2018 by The Art Story Foundation
Which choice best characterizes the way the author presents the relationship between the arts and political and social issues?
- A. The arts are a key driver of political and social change.
- B. The arts are a way to distract people from political and social problems.
- C. The arts reflect changes in the political and social landscape,
- D. The arts are stifled during times of political and social upheaval
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The author illustrates that the arts serve as a mirror to society, effectively reflecting the evolving political and social landscape. This perspective highlights how artistic expression often responds to and encapsulates the sentiments of the times. Option A overstates the influence of the arts, suggesting they actively drive change rather than reflect it. Option B misrepresents the role of the arts, implying they serve only as distractions, which neglects their deeper societal relevance. Option D presents a limited view, focusing solely on suppression during upheaval, ignoring the arts' potential to comment on or critique such situations.
The author illustrates that the arts serve as a mirror to society, effectively reflecting the evolving political and social landscape. This perspective highlights how artistic expression often responds to and encapsulates the sentiments of the times. Option A overstates the influence of the arts, suggesting they actively drive change rather than reflect it. Option B misrepresents the role of the arts, implying they serve only as distractions, which neglects their deeper societal relevance. Option D presents a limited view, focusing solely on suppression during upheaval, ignoring the arts' potential to comment on or critique such situations.
Other Related Questions
In the first two sentences ('During'... 'alley'), scientists are presented as all of the following EXCEPT
- A. predisposed
- B. determined
- C. inherently logical
- D. overly zealous
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The passage describes scientists as predisposed, determined, and overly zealous, highlighting their passion and commitment to their work. Option A suggests an inclination towards inquiry, while B emphasizes their resolve in seeking answers. D portrays them as excessively enthusiastic, which aligns with the tone of the text. In contrast, option C, "inherently logical," implies a strict adherence to rationality without acknowledging the emotional and passionate aspects of scientific pursuit. This distinction makes C the only option that does not accurately reflect the portrayal of scientists in the sentences.
The passage describes scientists as predisposed, determined, and overly zealous, highlighting their passion and commitment to their work. Option A suggests an inclination towards inquiry, while B emphasizes their resolve in seeking answers. D portrays them as excessively enthusiastic, which aligns with the tone of the text. In contrast, option C, "inherently logical," implies a strict adherence to rationality without acknowledging the emotional and passionate aspects of scientific pursuit. This distinction makes C the only option that does not accurately reflect the portrayal of scientists in the sentences.
Unlike the author of Passage 1, the author of Passage 2 implies that keeping a blog might
- A. benefit the community
- B. involve irksome tasks
- C. attract favorable attention
- D. reward real creativity
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The implication in Passage 2 suggests that maintaining a blog can involve tedious or bothersome tasks, which aligns with option B. This contrasts with the more positive view presented in Passage 1. Option A is incorrect as it focuses on community benefits, which is not addressed in Passage 2. Option C misinterprets the author's tone; while attracting attention may be a byproduct, it isn't emphasized as a primary implication. Option D suggests that blogging inherently fosters creativity, which is not a theme in Passage 2, where the focus is more on the challenges rather than the rewards.
The implication in Passage 2 suggests that maintaining a blog can involve tedious or bothersome tasks, which aligns with option B. This contrasts with the more positive view presented in Passage 1. Option A is incorrect as it focuses on community benefits, which is not addressed in Passage 2. Option C misinterprets the author's tone; while attracting attention may be a byproduct, it isn't emphasized as a primary implication. Option D suggests that blogging inherently fosters creativity, which is not a theme in Passage 2, where the focus is more on the challenges rather than the rewards.
What assumption does the author of the passage make?
- A. Gases produced by algae will be cheaper to produce than other gases.
- B. The Department of Energy is already using hydrogen-producing algae as a source of energy.
- C. Mutant versions of algae will not be capable of the process of photosynthesis.
- D. Readers do not associate the Department of Energy with algae research.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The assumption that readers do not associate the Department of Energy with algae research highlights a potential gap in public awareness, which the author seeks to address. Option A incorrectly suggests a comparison of costs that may not be discussed in the passage. Option B assumes current use of hydrogen-producing algae by the Department of Energy, which may not be established in the text. Option C presumes that mutant algae cannot photosynthesize, which overlooks the possibility of their adaptability. Each of these options misinterprets the author's intent and the context provided in the passage.
The assumption that readers do not associate the Department of Energy with algae research highlights a potential gap in public awareness, which the author seeks to address. Option A incorrectly suggests a comparison of costs that may not be discussed in the passage. Option B assumes current use of hydrogen-producing algae by the Department of Energy, which may not be established in the text. Option C presumes that mutant algae cannot photosynthesize, which overlooks the possibility of their adaptability. Each of these options misinterprets the author's intent and the context provided in the passage.
What change needs to be made to sentence 7 (reproduced below) to make the sentence grammatically correct? American writers such as Dashiell Hammett, whose novel The Maltese Falcon was made into one of the first big-budget film noirs, and James M. Cain being particularly influential.
- A. Change 'such as' to 'like'
- B. Change 'whose' to 'which'
- C. Change 'was made' to 'making'
- D. Change 'being' to 'were'
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
To ensure grammatical correctness, the verb form must agree with the subject. Option D, changing "being" to "were," corrects the sentence by providing a proper verb to match the plural subject "American writers." Option A, substituting "such as" with "like," does not address the grammatical issue and merely alters style without improving clarity. Option B's change from "whose" to "which" is incorrect since "whose" appropriately refers to the novel's author. Option C's shift from "was made" to "making" disrupts the intended meaning and does not resolve the grammatical error. Thus, only option D effectively corrects the sentence.
To ensure grammatical correctness, the verb form must agree with the subject. Option D, changing "being" to "were," corrects the sentence by providing a proper verb to match the plural subject "American writers." Option A, substituting "such as" with "like," does not address the grammatical issue and merely alters style without improving clarity. Option B's change from "whose" to "which" is incorrect since "whose" appropriately refers to the novel's author. Option C's shift from "was made" to "making" disrupts the intended meaning and does not resolve the grammatical error. Thus, only option D effectively corrects the sentence.