Q7

[callie44]

Can somebody explain #7? I couldn't decide between C or E - neither seemed quite correct. For E, their didn't seem to be a specific "assertion" of the authors,...he ONLY talked about Wagner's Modern Architecture.

[melmoththewanderer88]

Good question.

(C) Notice how in line 1, the author is talking about past criticism. So, even if we feel that he is challenging this view, it isn't a recent approach.

(E) The author's assertion is scattered throughout, but it is indeed supported by discussing Modern Architecture.

[ohthatpatrick]

The assertion that (E) is referring to is line 10-12, "the failures of modern architecture cannot be blamed on the ideals of its founders".

One of the most powerful patterns I ever noticed in RC passages is that the about half of these passages introduce a REALLY important idea after the words but/yet/however/recently .

I think of this moment as "The Turning Point". Most passages start off with some background facts to establish context, and/or they begin with someone ELSE's point of view (not the author's).

When the author introduces the but/yet/however/recently, it's the turning point from background to foreground , i.e. the author's real focus/emphasis.

So the last sentence of this first paragraph really jumps out at me as "Hey, I'm probably going to be the thesis statement of this whole passage!" (I think of these sentences as "The Most Valuable Sentence" ... when I'm answering Big Picture questions, like Q7, I look back at my most valuable sentence(s). Here the 'important work' in choice (E) is a match for 'seminal text' in line 8.)

As I begin to read the 2nd paragraph, my suspicion is confirmed. I think to myself, "I was right. The author is going to flesh out that sentence in lines 8-12."

The criticism in the 1st sentence is that Modern Architecture (MA) focuses on practicality and technical issues, while ignoring/downplaying aesthetic concerns.

If you re-read the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th paragraphs, look for all the times/ways in which the author acknowledges that Wagner DID indeed care about practicality and technical issues, while showing that Wagner DID still care quite a bit about aesthetic concerns.

The "but" at the beginning of the 3rd paragraph echoes the "however" in line 8.

In terms of (C), the author is describing Wagner's work, which is not recent. The author's not really evaluating Wagner's work as much as explaining it to demonstrate that Wagner (and other early modern architects) are not really guilty of the criticism introduced in the first sentence.

Hope this helps.

[melmoththewanderer88]

Wow, that was comprehensive! Thanks for the insights, Patrick.

One unrelated question, I've been posting questions here, but they aren't showing up on the "unanswered posts section." What do I have to do to get them there?

Also, I have the notification box checked, but am not getting notified on replies.